Lawrence, MA Mobility & Curb Rules: Red-Light Cameras (2026)
Key Facts
- Enforcing agency
- Lawrence Police Department
- Base civil penalty
- $50.00 per violation
- Appeal deadline
- 21 days from notice date
- Missed-appeal penalty
- additional $50.00 ($100 total)
- Collection trigger
- unpaid 30+ days after ticket
- Driving record effect
- no license points, not a conviction
Summary
Lawrence Police Department operates civil red light cameras under Municipal Code § 10.36.360, mailing vehicle owners a $50.00 civil penalty when a vehicle crosses the stop line or enters the intersection on a steady red. Owners get 21 days to appeal to a hearing officer; missing that window doubles the fine to $100.00, and unpaid balances after 30 days go to collection or a vehicle boot.
A.Automated red light system/civil violation—General.1.Notwithstanding any other provision of this traffic code, the City of Lawrence hereby adopts a civil enforcement system for red light camera system violations as outlined in this section. Said system imposes monetary liability on the owner of a vehicle for failure of an operator thereof to comply with traffic control indications in the City of Lawrence in accordance with the provisions of this section...C.Offense.1.The owner of a vehicle shall be liable for a penalty imposed pursuant to this section if such vehicle crosses a marked stop line or the intersection plane at a system location when the traffic signal for that vehicle's direction is emitting a steady red light...D.Penalty—Administrative appeal.1.Any violation of subsection C.1. herein shall be deemed a noncriminal violation for which a civil penalty of $50.00 shall be assessed and for which no points authorized by Massachusetts General Laws ("Point system for license suspension") shall be assigned to the owner or driver of the vehicle.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 8).
Full Breakdown
360(A) says the ordinance 'imposes monetary liability on the owner of a vehicle for failure of an operator thereof to comply with traffic control indications,' without assigning license points. The Lawrence Police Department installs and operates the cameras, chooses which intersections get them, and keeps the list of system locations. Each violation triggers a mailed 'notice of liability' that must state how to appeal. ' The registered owner is presumed to have been driving, but that presumption is rebutted if the owner produces a police report showing the vehicle was reported stolen before the violation, and a citation under this section is not counted as a conviction or entered on anyone's driving record.
Collisions are excluded entirely. 00 per violation, with no license points assigned. 00 total. Appeals run through an administrative hearing held by the police department, and a decision for the city can be enforced as a civil debt. Balances unpaid more than 30 days after the ticket issues go to civil collection with interest, and the code specifically authorizes immobilizing the vehicle with a 'Denver boot' until everything owed is paid. The chapter contains no companion provision for school-zone speed cameras; only the red light camera program is codified here.
Violations & Fines
Running the light at a monitored intersection draws a $50.00 civil penalty by mail, with no criminal record and no license points. Missing the 21-day appeal window is treated as an admission, adding a second $50.00 fine for $100.00 total. Balances unpaid after 30 days go to civil collection with interest, and the police department may immobilize the vehicle with a wheel boot until paid.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Lawrence red light camera ticket add points to my license?
How long do I have to appeal a Lawrence red light camera ticket?
What happens if I never pay a Lawrence red light camera fine?
Can I fight a Lawrence red light ticket by saying my car was stolen?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lawrence
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