Last Updated on January 31, 2015 by Lawrence Berezin
Knowledge about NYC parking tickets is power
I was cogitating* (love the word) about what to write for today’s blog post, and thought that some good, solid, money-saving parking ticket tips will be helpful to our NYC driving community. Parking ticket tips are like cash in the memory bank. Stick ’em in the back of your brain and wait for the right parking sign or situation to withdraw them!
1. Fire hydrant vs. parking meter
At first this parking tip surprised me. But, after cogitating (love the word), it makes absolute sense. The Evil Empire made a choice between revenue and safety. Guess which one won?
-If you park your chariot in a space regulated by a mechanical meter and your bumper is within 15 feet of a fire hydrant, it is still a legal space. You are permitted to park. Who doesn’t like cash? Certainly not the NYC Department of Finance. [Source: Gridlock Sam, “Traffic Conundrums”].
2. Bus stop violation
I cannot seem to defeat an unjustified NYC parking ticket for a bus stop violation. A bus stop parking ticket is a no standing violation. You are permitted to stop temporarily to expeditiously drop-off or pick-up a passenger (not passenger and things) in a bus stop zone, as long as you don’t block a bus from entering or exiting.
I have presented all sorts of proof, including:
- Affidavits from drivers and passengers
- Times lines
- Documents
My strong suggestion is do not stop, drop and go in a bus stop zone. Parking ticket judges are loathe to dismiss this parking ticket, despite the quality of proof you present.
3. Is parking permitted in the garment district?
According to 4-08(l)(4)...No vehicles except trucks and vans bearing commercial plates are permitted to stand at the curb for the purpose of expeditiously loading and lunloading between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. daily and Sundays (i.e. all days/all times). Passenger vehicles or station wagons beaering commercial plates are not considered to be trucks or vans!
The garment district extends from 35th Street to 41 Street, between Avenue of the Americas and 8th Avenue, all inclusive, in the Borough of Manhattan.
4. Is there a special, beware of the parking ticket warrior, parking rule for midtown?
You betcha!
Here’s the verbiage for 4-08(l)(2) and (3):
“(2) Special midtown rule: method of parking. Except where otherwise restricted, between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. daily, except Sundays, from 14th to 60th Streets, 1st to 8th Avenues, all inclusive, in the Borough of Manhattan, no operator of a vehicle or combination of vehicles used for transportation of merchandise shall stop, stand, or park in any of the streets herein designated, other than parallel and close to the curb, and occupy no more than ten feet of roadway space from the nearest curb, and in no case shall any such vehicle be backed in at an angle to the curb.
(3) Special midtown rule: standing time limit
(i) Between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., daily except Sundays, from 14th to 60th Streets, 1st to 8th Avenues, all inclusive, in the Borough of Manhattan no operator shall stand a vehicle or combination of vehicles for the purpose of making pickups, deliveries or service calls in any one block of streets herein designated for a period of more than three hours unless otherwise posted. A vehicle or combination of vehicles not being used for expeditious pickups, deliveries or service calls is deemed to constitute a parked vehicle subject to parking rules applicable to that particular location.
(ii) Commercial parking meter area. Notwithstanding the provisions of subparagraph (i) of this paragraph, where signs are posted regulating the use of the curb by commercial vehicles it shall be unlawful to stand a vehicle in any space on a block unless such vehicle is a “commercial vehicle” as defined in §4-01(b)(i) of this chapter or a vehicle with a valid “combination” registration from another state, and unless such space is controlled by a parking meter. The maximum time for such metered parking on a single block shall be a total of three hours, unless otherwise indicated by a posted sign. The provisions of subdivision (h) of this section shall apply to commercial vehicles parked at a parking meter, including a “Muni-Meter,” pursuant to this paragraph.”
5. Is there a “born-again” date or a NYC parking ticket?
Yessireee!
A parking ticket dies 8 years and 3 months from its birth (date of issuance). If you are an artful dodger of a parking ticket for this long period of time, you win. You can fuggetaboutit. [Source: Gridlock Sam, ” Traffic Conundrums”].
“*Cogitating: present participle of cog-i-tate. Think deeply about something. Meditate or Reflect.” [via Google].
Commentary
So many rules, so little time?…Nah, we can learn ’em and win.
Are there any parking rules, regulations, or laws that give you angst? Share…share! We’ll all benefit by sharing our experiences.
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