Can a Doorman save an NYC Parking Space?

Last Updated on October 9, 2017 by Lawrence Berezin

Does a doorman’s kingdom include the parking space in front of his building?

I read an article listing the 25 most expensive things in the world. This exclusive list included a:

• $2M set of audio speakers
• $35M 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO
• $25M Haute Joaillerie from Chopard (a wristwatch).

Can you guess what was missing? An NYC parking space.

How much would you pay for a vacant, on street, NYC parking space waiting for you upon your return home? Well, residents of the posh upper east side buildings have this added luxury because doormen are saving the curb space in front of the buildings.

Here is a “Curbed” article from 2010 about Doormen reserving parking spaces

“In her NYT Appraisal column today, Christine Haughney pulled her ’06 Chevy Malibu up to some posh buildings to test the staff’s willingness to coöperate with the laws of this great land. The results were mixed.

Some doormen said Haughney was inconveniencing the buildings’ elderly tenants by parking out front and tried to shame her into leaving, and some got even more aggressive:

The award for the best-guarded legal space goes to 55 East End Avenue. When the Appraisal began pulling in, a broad-shouldered doorman came out to stop the car. When the Appraisal politely asked about parking, he said that elderly people lived there and that parking was not allowed.

But when the Appraisal made it clear the intent was to park in the space, the doorman lifted his metal “no parking” sign into the street to stop the car from parking. When the Appraisal explained that this was for an article, asked for his name and began snapping pictures of him, he responded with an expletive and added: ‘That’s what it is.’ ”

Does this bad doorman behavior still exist today?

Is it legal to reserve a parking space in NYC?

It is not only illegal to reserve an NYC parking space, but it is downright dangerous. First, let’s start with the illegal part. The NYC parking rule states:

“4-08 (n)(7) Unofficial reserving of parking space. It shall be unlawful for any person to reserve or attempt to reserve a parking space, or prevent any vehicle from parking on a public street through his/her presence in the roadway, the use of hand-signals, or by placing any box, can, crate, hand-cart, dolly or any other device, including unauthorized pavement, curb or street markings or signs in the roadway.”

Next, let’s talk about the dangerous part. There are countless tales of disputes over parking spaces that turn violent. Do you remember the poor woman who was punched by a much bigger man in a fight over a parking space? Here’s a link to the post. (This bully was sent to prison after he was found guilty in a “re-trial”).

Do you Honor “Dibs” for Clearing Snow Covered NYC Parking Spaces?

I conducted a survey of our readers, and asked whether they would honor dibs for clearing a snow-covered parking space? Here are the results of my informal survey.

Commentary

I urge you, beseech you, bewitch, bother, and bewilder you…Avoid confrontations over parking spaces at all cost. It’s simply not worth it to fight over a vacant parking space. The consequences can escalate from verbal to physical in a NY minute.

Many people Hulk-out while seated behind the wheel of a car. Plus, the other participant in a verbal skirmish may have a weapon. It may be frustrating to lose the prize (parking space), but believe me, it is a far safer outcome. Is it legal to save the parking space directly in front of your private driveway? Would you? How would you go about “saving” this prized piece of NYC real estate?

Looking forward to your reply.

[Larry’s note: A barrel full of thank you goes out to a wonderful member of our Facebook Community, Dan. Thanks!!].