Tow Zone Alerts is an SMS-based service that alerts drivers in the Boston area when their vehicle is parked illegally and at risk of being ticketed or towed. The goal is to help drivers avoid parking hassles, especially due to street cleaning — which accounts for 45% of towing in Boston [archive.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/graphics/towing_map/] and over 65% of ticketing in Cambridge [data.cambridgema.gov]. 

We (1) send friendly reminders about upcoming no-parking zones due to street cleaning and street occupancy permits and (2) facilitate anonymized, validated peer-to-peer illegal parking alerts based on license plate reports. Also, we share occasional information about fun, interesting local happenings with subscribers who opt into "What's Happening" texts.

Starting in April 2023, TZA operates in Boston, Cambridge, Somerville, and Chelsea.  From Boston's public towing logs, we see a reduction in towing of over 80% for our average Boston subscriber, i.e. the average subscriber is towed once per year before enrolling, compared to 0.2 per year after enrolling.

To sign up:

• Submit this short Google form

• Or text "I'm in" to 844-997-4214

We want to solve a problem — not create one. We do not share your data with anyone. You're welcome to review our Privacy Policy and get in touch if you have any questions.

Note: As of April 2023, Cambridge ended the practice of towing for street cleaning because it's an overly punitive measure for forgetting to follow street signage, disproportionately impacts lower income residents, and emits pollution [cambridgeday.com]. TZA co-founder Eli made a public comment in favor of this policy order in the December 2022 City Council meeting — when the policy order was discussed and ultimately passed. The founders of TZA aim to reduce potential pitfalls around city parking, both through this service and by getting involved in local public affairs. Due to street cleaning policy changes, Ticket Zone Alerts may have been a more apt name in certain areas (i.e. Camberville).