Last Updated on September 30, 2017 by Lawrence Berezin
Summary of the muni-meter Laws
The wonderful warm winds of change have engulfed the muni-meter parking scene in NYC. Kudos to the NYC Council for taking action to right some wrongs foisted on the driving community by nonsensical muni-meter parking customs invented by the Evil Empire to feed the NYC budget beast.
Let’s take each new law one parking law at a time.
1. The 5-Minute Grace Period
Did you make the mistake of cogitating this wonderful snooze alarm law only applied to street cleaning rules? (I did). Well, the 5-Minute Grace Period Law applies to parking at Muni-meters, too. The driving community has 5 minutes appended to the end of the time displayed on a Muni-meter receipt to move their chariot. In other words, if time is purchased from 10A to 11A, a parking ticket warrior is prohibited from issuing a parking ticket until 11:00 am. Yea!
“Effective March 21, 2010, drivers will get a 5-minute grace period past the expired time on Muni-Meter receipts, Alternate Side Parking signs, and any other parking spaces with specific times listed (e.g. 8:30 am – 9:30 am). During this 5-minute grace period, parking tickets cannot be issued.” [Via NYC Council Website]
Here’s Larry’s Blog post explaining the 5-Minute Grace Period applies to Muni-meters.
2. Failure to display a muni-meter receipt
Have you ever thought you placed a muni-meter receipt face up on the dashboard, returned to your chariot only to find a parking ticket, and your muni-meter receipt face down on the dash; or on the floor of your car? I have.
There were parking ticket judges rightfully dismissing a “failure to display” parking ticket upon proof of a valid muni-meter receipt; while other judges were ordering drivers to walk the plank for this parking violation. The purpose of the parking rule was to punish sneaky drivers for failing to pay for parking, and not too brave heart drivers who paid and failed to display a receipt.
Weep no more…The new law requires all parking ticket judges to dismiss parking tickets for failure to display muni-meter receipts upon proof of purchase:
“…of a valid muni-meter receipt with an official start time stamp and such start time is no later than five minutes after the time of the issuance of such notice, or other suitable evidence as determined by the hearing officer that such a receipt was purchased, shall be an affirmative defense to such a violation.”
3. Parking ticket warriors empowered to cancel muni-meter parking tickets
NYC Council fixed the evil mandate of fighting a muni-meter parking ticket despite possessing a valid Muni-meter receipt:
“Any agent who issues a notice of violation by electronic means for failure to pay the metered fare shall cancel such notice of violation when, not later than five minutes after the issuance of such notice, such agent is shown a valid muni-meter receipt with an official start time stamp and such start time is no later than five minutes after the time of the issuance of such notice.”
However, a warrior only has five minutes to cancel the parking ticket, and a muni-meter parking ticket issued by hand cannot be canceled (but will be dismissed upon application and submission of a valid Muni-meter receipt).
“…The electronic system used by the agent to issue such notice shall be programmed to prohibit such notice from being canceled later than five minutes after the issuance of such notice.” [Section 1. Chapter 2 of title 19 of the administrative code of the city of New York is amended by adding a new section 19-21]
4. Parking at a broken Muni-meter
Parking is permitted for free at a broken Muni-meter as long as there are no other working muni-meters in a parking field. Clear as the nose on your face, right?! Well, maybe not. What is the meaning of a “parking field?” Here’s what the “official NYC Website” has to say about parking at a broken muni-meter:
The Department of Transportation (DOT) accepts reports of meters that are broken, working incorrectly, or too close to a fire hydrant. DOT does not accept reports of meters that did not receive authorization for credit or debit card payment and did not issue a receipt.
Damaged meters include those that are:
- Bent
- Knocked over
- Missing
- Loose
- Defaced with graffiti
Defective meters include those that:
- Are not reading credit or parking cards
- Have fast or failed timing
- Are not printing receipts for coin payments
When a Muni-Meter is out of service, you should make a payment and obtain a receipt from the other parking meter located on the block or on the next block. If the other meters are not working, make sure to document the date, time, and meter numbers, should you need to dispute a parking ticket. In a parking field, you should purchase a parking receipt from the nearest Muni-Meter to the broken one.
If all Muni-Meters on the block or the next block, or in a parking field, are broken or missing, you can park for the maximum amount of time posted for that metered space.
DOT will inspect the damaged or defective meter and make repairs if necessary.
If your credit card is stuck in a meter, contact the bank that issued the card and cancels it. A DOT crew member will be dispatched to the meter location to retrieve your card and have it destroyed. If your parking card is stuck in a meter, DOT will retrieve it and mail it back to you.
You can also put in a request to have a new meter installed.
Report a problem with a meter:
Damaged or defective
Too close to a fire hydrant
Credit card stuck
Parking card stuck
Here is some more valuable information about parking at a broken muni-meter
(3) Parking at broken or missing meters.
(i) A person shall be allowed to park at a missing or broken meter up to the maximum amount of time otherwise lawfully permitted at such meter.
(ii) Where parking spaces in a parking field or on a block are controlled by “Muni-Meters,” and a “Muni-Meter” is broken or missing, the person seeking to purchase a parking receipt shall use a functional “Muni-Meter” in the same parking field or on the same block, to purchase a parking receipt and shall display it pursuant to paragraph 10 of this subdivision. If all muni-meters in a parking field or on a block are missing or broken, a person shall be allowed to park in such parking field or on such block up to the maximum amount of time otherwise lawfully permitted by such muni-meters in such controlled parking field or block. For purposes of this section, “muni-meter” shall mean an electronic parking meter that dispenses timed receipts that must be displayed in a conspicuous place on a vehicle’s dashboard.
“If a muni-meter is broken or missing, you are required to purchase time from a functional muni-meter in the same parking field or on the same block, and display the receipt on the dashboard of your car…”
- caveats“parking field” is not defined by the rules. But, you are required to check across the street in your quest to find a functional muni-meter [via Gridlock Sam Schwartz, “Traffic Conundrums,” page 17, Gridlock Sam Productions (2006)]
5. Transferring muni-meter time
You paid for the muni-meter time…it is now officially portable. The NYC Council enacted a law removing any doubt or discretion from the Evil Empire to take your hard-earned dough for applying a muni-meter receipt purchased in one parking field and using the receipt to pay for time in another parking field where the parking rates are equal or less. Here is the text of the law:
“§19–167.2 Transfer of muni-meter time.”
a. For the purposes of this section, the term “muni-meter” shall mean an electronic parking meter that dispenses timed receipts that must be displayed in a conspicuous place on a vehicle’s dashboard. b. Parking time that is purchased at a muni-meter shall be valid for use during such time at any parking space where parking meter rules are in effect, provided that:
1. the parking meter rate at such parking space is the same as or less than the rate at the location where such parking time was purchased;
2. the vehicle is not parked at such parking space in excess of the maximum amount of time parking is authorized at such parking space as indicated on posted signs. For purposes of this paragraph, the length of time a vehicle is parked at a parking space shall be calculated from the time such parking time was purchased, as indicated on the muni-meter receipt; and 3. the vehicle is not otherwise parked in violation of any law or rule.
§19–167.2 “§19–167.2 Transfer of muni-meter time.”
a. For the purposes of this section, the term “muni-meter” shall mean an electronic parking meter that dispenses timed receipts that must be displayed in a conspicuous place on a vehicle’s dashboard. b. Parking time that is purchased at a muni-meter shall be valid for use during such time at any parking space where parking meter rules are in effect, provided that:
1. the parking meter rate at such parking space is the same as or less than the rate at the location where such parking time was purchased;
2. the vehicle is not parked at such parking space in excess of the maximum amount of time parking is authorized at such parking space as indicated on posted signs. For purposes of this paragraph, the length of time a vehicle is parked at a parking space shall be calculated from the time such parking time was purchased, as indicated on the muni-meter receipt; and
3. the vehicle is not otherwise parked in violation of any law or rule. Transfer of muni-meter time.
a. For the purposes of this section, the term ‘muni-meter’ shall mean an electronic parking meter that dispenses timed receipts that must be displayed in a conspicuous place on a vehicle’s dashboard.
b. Parking time that is purchased at a muni-meter shall be valid for use during such time at any parking space where parking meter rules are in effect, provided that:
1. the parking meter rate at such parking space is the same as or less than the rate at the location where such parking time was purchased;
2. the vehicle is not parked at such parking space in excess of the maximum amount of time parking is authorized at such parking space as indicated on posted signs. For purposes of this paragraph, the length of time a vehicle is parked at a parking space shall be calculated from the time such parking time was purchased, as indicated on the muni-meter receipt; and
3. the vehicle is not otherwise parked in violation of any law or rule.’ “
Commentary
Learning is relentless repetition. I’ve written a bunch of blog posts about all the new gifts bestowed upon the driving public by the NYC Council. Here they are in all their glory. Commit these muni-meter laws to memory and apply them when needed. I promise it will keep your money where it belongs…in your wallet.
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I got a ticket because my designated meter wasn’t working and ALL other vehicles in the surrounding area were designated for a higher COMMERCIAL VEHICLE rate. When I tried to appeal, the decision was upheld that I should pay $65 even though I attached a photo of the meter. I am going to try to appeal again – isn’t it fair to say it’s unlawful (or at least unethical) to ask me to pay a higher commercial rate?
Stephanie,
Good morning.
Sorry about your parking ticket pain.
It seems that you may have parked a passenger vehicle in a commercial meter zone.
What violation code were you charged with?
If a muni-meter is broken, the treacherous rules require that you embark on a journey to find
a muni-meter that works on either side of the street. If none of the MM work in your parking
zone, you are required to report this broken state of affairs to the Evil Empire.
The Evil Empire will note your report and send a team of crack MM fixers to check out your
report…If it turns out all the MM were broken, then you can successfully raise the broken
MM defense.
I’d rather eat cold ice cream that do all of that…Beware Evil Empire’s bringing gifts.
Best,
Larry
The link below, from your web site, does not work. the recited section of the code does not state what is indicated. Where can I find the section about the parking field? I rec’d a ticket and there was no muni-meter anywhere around.
…………………………………………………………………………..
4. Parking at a broken muni- meter
Parking is permitted for free at a broken muni- meter as long as there are no other working muni- meters in a parking field. Clear as the nose on your face, right?! Well, maybe not. What is the meaning of a “parking field?”
It means a driver is required to check all the muni- meters on both sides of a block for an operational meter.
Here is a link to the parking at a defective muni- meter law, living at Title 19-215.
Hi Morris,
Good morning.
Thanks for calling the broken links to my attention. Appreciate it.
I’ve updated the information.
If you have any additional questions, please reply to this comment.
Best,
Larry
Hi! What if the meter starts at 8am and you want to park at 6am. Can you park and pay for the 8am start time at 6am?
Hi, Gina,
Good morning.
Great question.
Does the meter accept money before the start time of 8 am?
If so, and you park at 6 am, I would pay for the time starting at 8 am.
Regards,
Larry
I only recently noted that parking receipt states “Display on driver’s side of dashboard.” I have always displayed on the curb-side of my car, figuring that is where the meter checker would be walking. On many streets walking on the driver’s side can be dangerous.
Hi, Tom,
I agree.
Have you ever received a parking ticket for failure to display a MM receipt?
Regards,
Larry
Hi
I would like to know if I can leave my vehicle at the same spot for 8 hours and just feed the muni meter every 2:00 hours?
Hi, Yvonne,
Good morning.
Great question.
You can only park in a space for the time limit set on signs and muni-meters. For example, if the sign or MM says 2-hour limit, you can only park in the space for a total of two hours.
If you park for one hour in a space limited to two hours, you can park for one more hour after the first hour is up.
Good luck.
Regards,
Larry
Hi,
I parked my car on the meter at 8am with a receipt to park until 9:16am. I received a ticket because sanitation started from 8am – 8:30am. Can I possibly fight the ticket with my receipt and win?
Hi, Shernala,
Good morning.
Those dastardly MM machines are not supposed to take your money when street cleaning is in effect.
I would fight the evil ticket and argue that you paid for the time and the MM machine took your money while street cleaning was in effect. I would submit the paid receipt along with your certified to be true testimony.
Good luck.
Regards,
Larry
I received a summons stating I cannot transfer from one zone to another although, I had plenty of time left on my previous zone (commercial box truck) I moved a total of 5 blocks.
Was I assuming to much or did the law change for commercial vehicles ?
Hi, Tim,
Good morning.
You are permitted to transfer unused time as long as the rate is the same in the new area you wish to park your chariot.
Good luck.
Park safely.
Regards,
Larry
Hi Larry, thanks for this informative post. I just discovered it while parking in NYC and was wondering if there is a penalty or ticket for continuing to pay for more than the “Maximum” muni-meter time — now with the ParkMobile app, I was hoping to be able to go back and forth between a physical Muni-Meter ticket and the app payment. Any insights would be greatly appreciated.
Hi, Andy,
Sadly, yes. Violation Code 37
Violation Codes
37-38 Parking Meter —
(37) Parking in excess of the allowed time
(38) Failing to show a receipt or tag in the windshield.
Drivers get a 5-minute grace period past the expired time on parking meter receipts. $65 $35
Regards,
Larry
Larry –
Does the 5-minute grace period apply to parking sessions booked via the Parkmobile ap?
Are enforcement agents blocked somehow from issuing a ticket until 5 minutes after the end time shown on the ap?
Hi, Paul,
Good afternoon.
Sorry for the delay in answering your excellent questions.
The 5-minute grace period is the law of Parking Ticket Land as long as you pay for your time legally.
I’m not sure whether a ticket cannot be physically issued until the expiration of the 5-minute grace period. But, I think the stupid thing or Cop can still issue a ticket.
Good luck.
Regards,
Larry
Thanks Larry!
I’ll let you know if I get a ticket that I can’t beat!
Hi Larry,
I used my parking app to purchase the maximum amount of time. When the maximum amount of time expired. I used the numbers from the meter on the other side of the Street, without moving my car, and paid for an additional maximum amount of time. I got a ticket for failure to display ticket. Please let me know if I was wrong to do so. Thanks
Hi Larry
I used my parking app to purchase the maximum amount of time. When the maximum amount of time expired. I used the numbers from the meter on the other side of the Street, without moving my car, and paid for an additional maximum amount of time. I got a ticket for failure to display ticket. Please let me know if I was wrong to do so. Thanks
Hi, Euline,
Good morning.
I’m afraid you were wrong.
You gotta move your chariot after the maximum time limits expire.
Regards,
Larry
I put $12 in a munimeter and then realized it was illegal at that time to park there. Can I get a refund?
Hi Deb,
Good evening.
There are two parts to this question:
#1. There is a rule that all muni-meters are programed not to accept payment when the rules are not in effect.
§ 19-167.3 Deactivating muni-meters.
a. For the purposes of this section, the term “muni-meter” shall mean an electronic parking meter that dispenses timed receipts that must be displayed in a conspicuous place on a vehicle’s dashboard.
b. The department shall program each muni-meter to ensure that such muni-meter is unable to accept payment:
1. from the last time in a day that parking meter rules are in effect for any parking space within the block or parking field of such muni-meter, or for any other parking space within one hundred feet of such muni-meter, until one hour prior to the next time meter rules take effect for any parking space within the block or parking field, or for any other parking space within one hundred feet of such muni-meter; and
2. when such muni-meter does not contain paper to print timed receipts.
c. This section shall apply only to muni-meters that can be programmed as set forth in subdivision b of this section, provided that no later than two years after the enactment of the local law that added this section, all muni-meters in the city of New York shall be capable of being programmed in the manner required by subdivision b of this section.
#2. How to apply for a refund?
The Department of Transportation (DOT) accepts refund requests for parking meters that may have a payment problem.
For credit or debit cards refunds, please review your payment history to confirm that your credit or debit card was charged for the transaction in question. Often, financial institutions post charges after the date of the actual transactions.
Parking meter refund requests must be made in writing. Please include:
Date and time of the incident
Parking meter number
Location of the parking meter
Description of problem
Copy of parking meter receipt, if available
Documentation showing overpayment, such as a copy of the credit card statement, if applicable
Send your request and supporting documents to:
DOT – Parking Administration
Muni-Meter Refunds
34-02 Queens Boulevard
Long Island City, NY 11101
DOT will investigate your claim and send you a letter of determination.
Good luck.
Be safe.
Larry
Hello, Where can I find the exact city law that states “#1. There is a rule that all muni-meters are programed not to accept payment when the rules are not in effect.” I am currently trying to dispute a ticket and this would help.
Thank you,
Maria
Hi Maria,
Good afternoon.
Great question.
You’ll find the rule in
https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/newyorkcity/latest/NYCadmin/0-0-0-30987
Good luck.
Regards,
Larry
Thanks so much for your reply. Can you tell me what the 2 overlapping S stand for?
My pleasure, Maria. Good luck
PS. Title 19