Contact the Parking Expert about NYC parking

If you have a question, tip, or story for The Parking Expert about NYC parking, please submit it as a comment below and we'll respond ASAP. Make sure to check back within a day or so (many times we answer same day) to see Erik's response.

If appropriate, we'll use your comment in an upcoming edition of PARKAZINE, our free, weekly "Where To Park in NYC" eNewsletter.

Comments

[ben]

i need to know the rules for Park Ave upper east side parking. Is there a map for this?

[Erik Feder - The Parking Expert]

Dear A. Bent,

Our Manhattan parking Search Engine, Books and Ebooks all can give you the info you're looking for for Park Ave upper east side. All can be checked and/or ordered at http://www.WhereToFindParking.com

[Erik Feder - The Parking Expert]

Dear A. Bent,

Yes, NYC does offer handicap plates and stickers that allow street-parking in many spots that are otherwise prohibited. Try calling 311 if you are in NY or do a search on the city's website: www.nyc.gov for more info.

[Richard Erle]

question:On East side of Park Av between17th and 18th st, the bus stop at the corner has the sign somewhat longer than a car length from the intersection which leaves just enough room for a car to park in front of the bus stop. On weekends is it legal to park there, if so will the meter maids know it?

[Erik Feder - The Parking Expert]

Hi Richard,

What I need to know is: Does the "No parking - bus stop" sign, which appears a bit more that a car length from the intersection have arrows going in both directions or only away from the intersection?

Weekends don't come in to play here, unless the no parking sign indicates that it is only in effect on M-F. If there are no arrows on the "No parking - bus stop" sign at all, then I would advise you not to park there, as one parking sign is all that is needed to regulate an entire block.

If the arrow goes away from the intersection, then you can park there and the meter maids should know that this is legal.

[Tony]

I recently got a ticket for blocking a pedestrian ramp. (opposite 55 West End Ave) The ramp was in the middle of a block, no crosswalk or trafffic light and no sign. I had pulled over to nap for 1/2hr between jobs. When I woke the ticket was on the windshield in front of my nose. Bastard!! I drive a Chevy Tahoe but the "Body Type" box on the ticket says Suburban. Is this grounds for dismissal.

T

[Erik Feder - The Parking Expert]

Hi Tony,

That's terrible to wake up and have a ticket on your windshield like that. I need a bit more info to decide if this ticket is dismissable or not. If you my complete advice about this, we now offer one-on-one phone consultations where I answer all your questions, tell you what evidence you’ll need, how to present that evidence and how to go about contesting the ticket. It may be possible to get the fine reduced even if you are found guilty. The consultation cost less than $15 and our advice will be applicable to almost any ticket you receive: http://www.wheretofindparking.com/view/consultation.aspx?op=nd&intChild=0&cityid=12

I do think you have a shot based on what you've written, but I do need more info to properly advise you.

[gaylen]

School Days

I parked at street marked "no parking school days 7-4pm" This is in front of private school which is closed as of June 13th. I parked days after closing. I was ticketed $115 with comment that I was liable for public school closing dates - which is the 20th of June. Is this legal? The school said it is not right, they have different closing schedule, but the police seem to be taking advantage of a loophole. An expensive one for me.

[Erik Feder - The Parking Expert]

Hi Gaylen,

This is really unfair - I’m so sorry that you are dealing with this bullying tactic.
I think you definitely have a case to get this ticket dismissed. The important thing is to provide them with evidence. We’re offering a new service which is a 1-on-1 phone consultation with me where I can advise you if & when to fight a NYC parking ticket, what evidence you need, how to present that evidence and what you’re chances are for dismissal or fine reduction. As I said, I believe that your parking ticket should be dismissed or at the very least, the fine should be reduced. The phone consultation is very reasonably priced at $14.95 and we have a special deluxe package where if you purchase (or have already purchased) the annual subscription for our Parking Search Engine, the phone consultation is only an additional $9.95

The phone consultations and all our subscription packages can be purchased directly at: http://www.wheretofindparking.com/view/subscription.aspx?op=nd&intChild=0&cityid=12

Whatever you decide regarding the phone consult, I wish you the best of luck contesting this ticket.

[liza]

I dont understand what the red parking signs mean that say commercial vehicles and then it makes a reference to using the parking meters--does that mean only commercial vehicles can park? Or can we park if we use the metered parking?

[Erik Feder - The Parking Expert]

Hi Liza,

Thanks for your question. You are not alone - I’ve heard from many people that they find the commercial vehicle signs confusing. These signs mean that during the hours/days that they are in effect, only commercial vehicles can park there and they must pay at the muni-meters. Usually there is a time limit (ex// 3-hour limit). After the hours listed and on ‘off days’ (days not listed on the sign) anyone can park there and it is free.

Some of the signs say "No standing except Commercial Vehicles 7am-6pm (M-F) metered parking - 3 hour limit/6 hour parking metered parking 6pm-midnight (M-F)". In this case, from 7am-6pm, only commercial vehicles can park there and they must pay at the muni-meters. Then anyone can park there from 6pm-Midnight but they must also pay at the muni-meters. From Midnight to 7am, it is free to park. Of course, this is just an example and the days and hours listed might be different on different streets.

[Magdalena]

Hi Erik,

I have a question regarding "no parking anytime sign" as I recently received a parking ticket for a parking in a place where I think it is allowed to park. I will try to give you a picture of the place where I parked which is on Booth Street in Queens. There is a sign "no parking anytime" with that red arrow and then there is a driveway (which goes in between the playground and the school building) and next the playground for pupils. I haven't blocked the driveway but parked along the playground where the other cars are usually parked. There is no other sign telling you to what distance the 'no parking sign anytime' applies? Are there any restrictions on how far you can park your vehicle from the 'no parking anytime' sign similar to no parking within 15 feet of a fire hydrant?

Thank you very much.

Magdalena

[Erik Feder - The Parking Expert]

Hi Magdalena,

There are no per feet restrictions on how far you can park your vehicle from the 'no parking anytime' sign. You mentioned a red arrow on the "no parking anytime" sign. Did this arrow point only in one direction? If so, and there were no other signs governing the area, then you should be able to park there (on the other side of the arrow). If the arrow goes in both directions (or there are no arrows at all on the sign) then you may not park at all on this block, because NYC law states that one sign is sufficient to regulate an entire block.

I think you can likely get the fine reduced and maybe even dismissed, depending on the arrow you described on the sign. Our 1-on-1 phone consultation service (with me) may be helpful to you in this case. I advise you what evidence you need, how to present that evidence and what you’re chances are for dismissal or fine reduction. The phone consultation is very reasonably priced at $14.95 and we have a special deluxe package where if you purchase (or have already purchased) the annual subscription for our Parking Search Engine, the phone consultation is only an additional $9.95

The phone consultations and all our subscription packages can be purchased directly at: http://www.wheretofindparking.com/view/subscription.aspx?op=nd&intChild=0&cityid=12

Best of luck fighting that ticket!

[Asim]

Hi Erik,

I just moved to earlier this year. What are the rules on street parking an out of state car in Manhattan, near 88th and York, I notice that parking isn't too bad in my neighborhood and I was thinking about borrowing one of my parents cars for the remainder of summer and street parking it.

[Erik Feder - The Parking Expert]

Hi Asim,

There are lots of places you can park on the street near 88th and York. We offer a Manhattan Parking Search Engine (by subscription) at our website: http://www.wheretofindparking.com/view/home.aspx?op=nd&intChild=0&cityid=12

With our Manhattan Parking Search Engine, you can search for legal street parking and parking garages by date, time, and cross-street. You even get to pick the size of the search area - from 50 feet to 1 mile. We show you every NYC parking regulation on every sign, so you can make an educated decision where (and where not) to park. Parking tickets are $115 and getting towed costs $300, so it's worth it to stay informed and be prepared.

I hope you are enjoying NYC. Happy parking!

[Cat Joy]

As a note on the story regarding the restaurant with a narrow street in your last newsletter.
It is illegal to run your car/truck/limo engine more than 3 minutes in the City of New York. The police might respond better if the phone call to them was on this issue. At least you might be able to breathe better!

[Erik Feder - The Parking Expert]

Hi Cat Joy,

Thanks for making this great point. I'll include it in the next issue of Parkazine.

[Steve]

As for David's question about the restaurant. Years ago I was in Little Italy and found a spot in front of a restaurant. As I preceded to park in the spot two well dress men from the restaurant came and told me I could not park there, it was for valet parking. I pretended to look for signs and said,"I don't see any signs you have a permit?" "Yes," they replied. I told them to go get it. The manager of the restaurant came out, spoke with me but didn't challenge my right to park. As we walked away my friends said, "Are you nuts, you are dealing with the Mafia." When I came back they boxed me in with no space in front or back. My beater car, a 20 year old Datsun had an extra large heavy duty clutch. I proceeded to push the car in front of me and then the one in back until the space was large enough for me to easily get out. The look on their faces was priceless. As for his question about curb cuts: A friend in Staten Island wanted to put a parking pad in front of his house. Permits were required for that and there were specifications for the width of the curb cut. 311 should be able to tell you which city agency issues curb cut permits.

[Erik Feder - The Parking Expert]

Steve,

Thanks for the great story and the helpful info on curb cuts. Nice to know that some people are not intimidated and will fight for their rights. That's a lesson everyone should remember when that horrible orange NYC parking ticket is found on the car windshield!

[bill watkins]

have a rental on 54th street between 5th and 6th that i use on weekends. generally arrive on friday between 3pm and 4pm, have a commercial plated car. presently pay metered parking on 54th till 6pm and again till 7pm, then move to park ave where you're good till monday morn. are there any places nearby where you can pay meter once and then not have to move the car for free weekend parking, prefereably have to go to meter once.

[Erik Feder - The Parking Expert]

Hi Bill,

The best way to find parking any closer than 54th St. is to use our Manhattan Parking Search Engine. Simply pick 54th (5th-6th) as the cross street, then pick a date and time (say a Friday at 7:15pm) and pick a search radius size that you consider close (maybe 1/10th or 1/5th of a mile). The Manhattan Parking Search Engine will then give you immediate results showing legal parking for the search criteria you specified, including the exact parking regulations on each side of each street. You can get an overview of the Manhattan parking search engine at: http://www.wheretofindparking.com/view/home.aspx?op=nd&intChild=0&cityid=12 and check out specific subscription options at: http://www.wheretofindparking.com/view/subscription.aspx?op=nd&intChild=0&cityid=12

I noticed that you said you "pay metered parking on 54th till 6pm and again till 7pm". Just so you know, if the signs says "metered parking - 2 hour limit", then you are technically only allowed to park there for two hours total. It doesn’t happen often, but sometimes the traffic officers chalk your tires and if you’re there longer than the time limit allowed on the sign, they can give you a ticket for "feeding the meter".

[Jewell]

I have a question. Recently I almost parked in a spot and then pulled out because I was afraid it was illegal. The sign read NO PARKING
EXCEPT COMMERCIAL VEHICLES
MON-FRI 7AM-7PM
ONE HOUR ....

The time I was looking to park was a Friday evening at 8PM. Would it be legal for a passenger car to park in this spot at this time? This was in the 20s around Park-5th Avenues.

Does this sign mean that passenger cars can never park there....and that only commerical vehicles can park between 7AM and 7PM on weekdays and that no one can park in the spots outside of that time or what?

[Erik Feder - The Parking Expert]

Hi Jewell,

Thanks for your great question. This is one of those tricky NYC parking regulations that confuses lots of people. It would have been perfectly legal for you to park in that spot. What this parking regulation means is that only commercial vehicles may park in these spots between 7am-7pm on weekdays. On any other times/days (including certain holidays when parking rules are suspended), it is legal for passenger cars to park there. Basically, any time it is after hours or a day not specified by a NYC or Manhattan parking regulation, it is legal to park.

[doug]

looking for alternate
parking around 25th and 10th
or 11th ave Is it 8 to 11 or
11to 2 I have your book but
it did not help me.
thanks doug

[Erik Feder - The Parking Expert]

Hi Doug,

I'm confused that you say you have the book but it didn't help. Our books, ebooks and Manhattan Parking Search Engine all show that there is some alternate side of the street parking from 11am-12:30pm in that area.

You can get an overview of the Manhattan parking search engine at: http://www.wheretofindparking.com/view/home.aspx?op=nd&intChild=0&cityid=12 and check out specific subscription options at: http://www.wheretofindparking.com/view/subscription.aspx?op=nd&intChild=0&cityid=12
You can also check out our Manhattan Parking books and ebooks at: http://www.wheretofindparking.com/view/federguide_books.aspx?op=nd&intChild=0&cityid=12