Last Updated on February 7, 2018 by Lawrence Berezin
Driveways and fire hydrants do not end NYC parking zones
I’ve read a bunch of comments from some wonderful members of the driving public who mistakenly believe that driveways and fire hydrants have a magical power to end an NYC parking zone.
We all know (I hope) that a parking sign regulates the curb space from the parking sign, in the direction of the arrow(s), until the next parking sign, or if none, the end of the block. This parking zone is not prematurely terminated by the presence of NYC driveways and fire hydrants. They don’t mean a thing when it comes to figuring out when a parking zone ends.
For example, close your eyes and visualize this…A no parking sign with an arrow pointing to the rightt_10 feet of curb space_a driveway_YOUR CAR_15 feet of curb space_an ASP sign with an arrow pointing to the right (away from your car). Question: Will you get a no parking ticket? Answer: You betcha!
Another example…A no standing sign with an arrow pointing to the right_10 feet of curb space_a fire hydrant_20 feet of curb space_YOUR CAR_end of the block. Question: Will your car win a no standing ticket? Answer: Absolutely! How about a fire hydrant ticket? Answer: Nope because you parked more than 15 feet from the fire hydrant.
A picture is worth a thousand words and $115
For those of us who process information from images better than words, here is a couple of diagrams illustrating the same thing.
Commentary
Always make sure you park more than 15 feet from a fire hydrant.
Listen to Today’s Blog Post
Dear Mr Berezin
As a French driver visiting NYC for a few days using a rented car after a round trip on the East coast, I was not aware of fire Hydrant 15 feet rule and there was no yellow painted curb to alert me.
Chapter 4-08 (e) states “Hydrants. Within fifteen feet of a fire hydrant, unless otherwise indicated by signs, or parking meters…”. Isn’it the purpose of your today chronicle ?
In front of 7 W 32nd St, both are present (parking sign with arrow in both directions) and my car was in-between on sunday, August 13. I admit that parking sign and part of my car were within 15 feet from hydrant, other part of the car and parking meter being in front of 5 W 32nd St.
I see no false or missing element on the ticket apart from the word “activaty” in Complainant’s Comments “No plaque no permit no activaty” which does not exist unless I am wrong. What does “plaque” refers to (= plate? ) Would a “commercial plaque” have changed something?
Do I have arguments, Mr Berezin? I tried by best after extensive reading of your blog !
Last : paying from a Euro account from France will result in much more than USD115 !
Many thanks in advance for your feedback ! I hope your heart will do well for many more years although my next visit to NYC city is not yet scheduled and I may prefer walking …
Kind regards
Lucien
Hi Lucien,
Good morning.
Sorry to hear about your parking pain.
Here’s the one truth that Parking Ticket Land holds self-evident…You cannot park your chariot within 15 feet of a fire hydrant. Period, end of the story? No, but the exceptions to the rule are confusing and difficult to prove.
You can stop, stand or park your car within 15 feet of a fire hydrant, if:
-A licensed driver remains seated behind the wheel with the keys ready to move on request between sunrise and sunset
-A parking sign specifically permits parking See, Blog Post
-An old fashioned, single-space, mechanical meter controls a parking space within 15 feet of a fire hydrant (The Evil Empire doesn’t tell you that this exception doesn’t work with muni-meters)
-Painted curbs don’t mean a thing when it comes to NYC parking regulations. Don’t look for ’em. Ignore ’em if you see ’em.
“No Activity” means that the driver was not in the process of dropping off or picking up a passenger when the ticket was issued.
“Placquest” or “permits” grant special authority to the driver to park in certain areas that would be otherwise be restricted.
I am sorry, Lucien, that I can’t be more helpful.
Regards,
Larry
Mr Berezin
I forgot to mention that the parking sign front of 7 W 32nd St is right on DOT website and wrong on Google.
Thanks
Lucien
Hi Larry,
I’m not sure if you are still replying to posts, but if so, hopefully you can shed some light on my dilemma.
I live in Rego Park, where the parking is next to impossible. There is an issue some residents (me included) are having with a homeowner on the block. The address is 6409 Booth St (in case you would like a photo reference from Google Maps). There is a raised curb section in between two garage driveways. The owner of 6409 continues to call the cops to ticket and then calls to tow vehicles parked at this curb location. My vehicle has been ticketed previously, to which NYC Parking dismissed the ticket as ‘not guilty’ after photo evidence was provided. This leads me to believe this is a valid parking spot.
The curb is damaged which I will be reporting to NYC (purely out of spite) and causes extensive confusion for people trying to find a legitimate place to park. If you see the Google maps photo, this is a cluster of 3 – 3 family homes that have an inset garage in each unit. Adjacent to the driveway for the garages, there is a cemented front yard section that most of the owners use for additional off-street parking. However, these adjacent sections DO NOT have the lowered curb cut of a legal driveway. They have a raised curb that meets the rest of the sidewalk. I have checked online with the department of buildings, and no curb permits have been issued to this residence to have the curb lowered to allow for a blocking of the driveway to be legally enforced. However, this owner calls the police and every once and a while, an officer will issue the ticket – I believe mainly because it is nighttime, and it is hard to see the curb for perspective.
What are my options legally? I have just picked up my car from a tow pound this morning, after paying $180 to retrieve my car. Previously, my car was ticketed (and dismissed) but I caught the tow driver in the process of towing and had him drop the car. While attempting to tow, he damaged my car underneath (trying to drag it out) and bent both my tie rods to the tune of $500 to fix. This tow driver has since disappeared, and I cannot find him to sue for damages. Would I be able to sue the homeowner to recoup my tow fee + damages in small claims court? Additionally, can I sue (or file a complaint against) this owner for nuisance reports, and unlawfully tying up services by calling to have cars towed from a legitimate parking space?
Any help you can provide is greatly appreciated. Your blog has been a wealth of knowledge. Thank you so much for what you do!
Hi Kimberly,
Good afternoon.
Yes. I’m happily replying to comments from our wonderful website friends like yourself.
Meanwhile, I understand your confusion and frustration.
Firstly, I think to answer your questions, I searched for 6409 Booth Street and checked out the area starting in 2007. It appears the homeowner of #6409 repaired the sidewalk in front of their property. Likewise, they installed a curb cut that extended the full length of the property during the sidewalk repair. However, I doubt they applied for a permit to lower the curb, especially since all of the other properties had partial curb cuts.
Here are the pertinent images of the neighborhood
Can you prove exactly where you parked when your car was ticketed and towed?
I am looking forward to your reply.
Regards,
Larry