NYC DOT - Parking Regulations

New York City's parking regulations govern where vehicles can stop, stand and park in the city. The City's parking regulations are part of the Traffic Rules and Regulations.
Read New York City's Traffic Rules and Regulations

All of New York City is a designated Tow Away Zone under the State's Vehicle and Traffic Law. This means that any vehicle parked or operated illegally, or with missing or expired registration or inspection stickers, may be towed. On major legal holidays stopping, standing and parking are permitted except in areas where stopping, standing and parking rules are in effect seven days a week (for example, "No Standing Anytime").

Double parking of passenger vehicles is illegal at all times, including when street cleaning is occurring, regardless of location, purpose or duration. An occupied illegally parked vehicle causes the same safety hazard and congestion as an unoccupied vehicle.

Alternate Side Parking

Many streets in New York have alternate side regulations, which allow for street cleaning. The alternate side parking calendar lists the legal and religious holidays with scheduled alternate side parking suspensions.
Learn more about alternate side parking rules

Fire Hydrants

It is illegal to park within 15 feet of either side of a fire hydrant, including on floating parking lanes (next to protected bike lanes).

Look up Parking Regulations

NYC DOT manages over one million traffic signs in New York City.
Parking Regulations Map (nycdotsigns.net)
Loading Zones
Parking Regulations Street Sign Legend

Parking Tickets

Parking enforcement is the responsibility of the New York City Police Department. If you have any questions about police policies or procedures in enforcing traffic regulations or issuing tickets, contact the Police Department.

Learn about paying and appealing parking ticket from the Department of Finance
Learn how to retrieve a towed vehicle from the Police Department

Stopping, Standing and Parking

If there is more than one sign posted for the same area, the more restrictive one is the one in effect. If a sign is missing on a block, the remaining posted regulations are the ones that are in effect. Please check the entire block and read all signs carefully before you park.

Parking Sign Restrictions

FAQS
No Stopping
No Standing
No Parking

Is waiting allowed?
No

Can I stop to load or unload a package or merchandise at curbside?
No
Yes

Can I stop to drop off or pick up passengers?
No
Yes

T Intersections

The areas circled in green are legal parking spots.

The areas with red X’s are illegal parking spots.

The New York City Traffic rules allow parking at some "T" intersections—those without traffic signals, all-way stop signs or crosswalk markings—even if there is a curb cut at that location.

Curb Cuts

A curb cut is the area of a sidewalk that has been lowered, or cut down, to facilitate access to the street. If you would like NYC DOT to consider a T-intersection for a crosswalk, contact your NYC DOT Borough Office. Based on the location's distance from the nearest crosswalk and pedestrian volumes, NYC DOT will determine whether a crosswalk can be installed.

Parking in School Zones

Parking is allowed in school zones when school is in recess. However, motorists should be aware that specific schools may be open on holidays and during summer vacations, and parking restrictions would remain in effect. If schools have summer sessions or are open for teacher meetings or similar activities, even if students are not attending, the parking regulations apply on such days. Individuals should contact specific schools to verify that they are in recess. Go to 311 Online to locate an individual school.