Last Updated on November 1, 2021 by Lawrence Berezin
Larry says, “A hidden parking sign cannot be obeyed”
Here is a story that stars the hidden parking sign defense and has a happy ending. In other words, we fought an NYC parking ticket for our client, raised the hidden parking sign defense, and beat the evil ticket.
Betty, an outstanding senior citizen, drove to Brooklyn from New Jersey to spend time with her family. It was a sleepover.
The next day Betty drove her granddaughter to school. She parked her car in a vacant parking space, walked the entire block to make sure she parked legally, read every parking sign visible on the street, and walked her granddaughter into school.
Betty paid her respects to the teacher, remained with her granddaughter for about 5 minutes, and returned to her car.
The orange invitation to an NYC fundraiser
However, when Betty reached her car, an orange envelope peeked out from under her windshield wiper. She got a parking ticket for a violation of Code 20 for disobeying a no parking sign.
Our client looked high and low for a parking sign regulating her space that prohibited parking. But, she couldn’t find any such parking sign. Subsequently, she drove back to her son’s house and returned to the scene of the “no parking crime” with him.
After searching for a few minutes, Betty’s son noticed a parking sign hidden behind a bunch of tree branches. It was almost impossible to see.
When you’re right-FIGHT
“I did not deserve this parking ticket. How can I obey a parking sign I can’t see?” Said Betty. She communicated with us and explained her story. We suggested she take a photograph of the hidden sign and email it to us, which she did.
After looking at the photograph, our recommendation was to fight the NYC parking ticket. Betty agreed.
How to prepare the hidden parking Sign Defense
The Evil Empire requires that you submit overlapping photographs of the entire block. Including the front and back of all parking signs.
That means when you contest a parking ticket because of the existence or non-existence of a parking sign, you must present overlapping photographs of the entire block, with front and back (where necessary) of every parking sign to beat your NYC parking ticket.
Larry’s comment: In most cases, you can prove your defense without submitting overlapping photos of all the parking signs on the entire block.
Larry’s comment
In most cases, you can prove your defense without submitting overlapping photos of all the parking signs on the entire block. But, in this hidden parking sign defense case, overlapping pictures were necessary.
Here are the photographs we submitted to beat Betty’s parking ticket for a violation of Code 20
Commentary:
To beat an NYC parking ticket, you must present the proper proof properly. However, it isn’t sufficient to submit a photograph of the sign you are disputing in some cases. You need to submit overlapping photos of the entire block, with images of every parking sign, both sides.
A hidden sign defense is one where you’ll need overlapping pictures of all the signs (front and back).
There are required elements that a Warrior or Cop must enter correctly for every parking violation. But, you have to know the necessary elements for the violation you are fighting. And then, find one or more that were misdescribed, omitted, or illegible. That is the best way to win. For example, the place of occurrence is a required element for a “location” violation (ex. no parking). But, not for a “status” violation (ex. expired registration).
In other cases, you need facts on your side. For example, if you stopped temporarily in a no-standing zone, you can beat the ticket. But, you need to prove that you were dropping off your Aunt Tillie at the curb and left the area immediately.
Good luck.
Be safe.
Hi Lawrence!
Really appreciate what you’re doing here sharing your knowledge and support. Like to get your thoughts here..I recently got a parking ticket on a street where I normally park on Sundays legally due to the sign on the corner reading ” Monday-Friday 6am-7pm Commercial Vehicles Only.”
However, there was another sign obstructed or not in plain view surrounded by construction scaffolding. The sign was buried between two pieces of wood above the scaffolding. How can I best fight this? I would like to take the appropriate pictures and take the position if you can’t see it then you don’t know about it.
Any thoughts. Thanks!
Best,
Alex
Hi Alex,
Sorry for the delay in responding to your excellent questions. I trying to catch up after a 2-week vacation visiting with my children and granddaughter in Seattle.
First, here’s a link to an article I wrote that you may find helpful…https://newyorkparkingticket.com/new-york-parking-ticket-how-to-prove-the-hidden-sign-defense/
Raising the “hidden sign” defense can be tricky because you are required to check the entire block for parking signs. Your proof should consist of photographs of the block showing the “hidden sign” was not visible from a search of the entire block (especially from your parking space).
Good luck.
Regards,
Larry
Lawrence, I forgot to mention that the hidden parking sign was a “Bus Stop.”
-Alex
I just got a ticket today. After getting out of my car after I parked I noticed that the street sign was covered over with a black bag. As I was standing looking at this , a meter maid walked by and said if it’s covered you don’t have to put money in meter. But I was suspicious of this so I put money in anyway. This was as 1:48. When I returned to my car at 2-25, there was a ticket on it that stated that I was parked in a no parking anytime- temporary construction regulation. After waiting there for a few minutes I saw the same meter maid that I had spoken to when I parked there. I told him”I got a ticket”. “But you said it was legal to park here.” He proceeded to tell me that he didn’t give me the ticket. Then he walks around to the other side of the sign and shows me that it says : no parking anytime- temporary construction regulation and the arrow on the sign is pointed behind the row of cars I was parked in, not in the direction of where my car was parked . The back of the sign was not visible from where I was parked. I also don’t believe the agent when he says he didn’t
give me the ticket because my ticket said 1:48 when I put in window and I received ticket at 1:51
I took pictures of the sign covered with the bag as well as my position in relationship to the sign. Can I fight this?
Hi, Robin,
Oh man. Sorry about the painful parking experience.
First, never, never ask for parking advice from a Warrior or Cop. You will never get the correct answer
Second, a gotcha pole containing parking signs must be hidden when you are standing in front of the pole, not just from your parking space. You are required to walk the block in both directions to check for signs that regulated your parking space.
Third, If neither side of the sign displays an arrow pointing to your parking space, you win upon presenting the proper proof, correctly.
Fourth, the bag over the sign is a challenge. Since we don’t know if the sign was bagged legally or not, a judge may find us guilty of ignoring the bagged sign (did it regulate your parking space. I would still fight the ticket and assert the hidden sign defense.
You’ll have to show:
-The bag completely covered on the rule displayed on both sides of the sign. If you could still see on side’s rule, then you must prove that the “uncovered” side of the sign didn’t regulate your parking space.
Good luck, Robin.
Regards,
Larry
3 weeks ago, I parked my car on Austin Street in Kew Gardens. About 30 minutes later, I found a parking ticket on my car. The car behind me was ticketed as well. This was due to “No Parking Fridays between Noon and 1:30 pm.” There are NO signs indicating this for 120 up the block, and the 2 signs that are there are obscured by scaffolding. I disputed this, and was told my evidence was “Not Credible.” I have several photographs to back up my claim. I DID pay the $45 fine, but think something needs to be done about this. This is underhanded and despicable on the City of NY’s part. They place signs over 100 feet away , and obscured ones at that, then claim “Well, there’s a sign there.”
Hi, Michael,
I agree. It is absolutely ridiculous to expect drivers to walk a City block to see if there is a sign that may or may not be visible and may or may not regulate a parking space a football field away.
There is a bill pending in the City Council mandating that signs be posted at regular intervals. I’m skeptical that bill will see the light of day.
Thanks for sharing your frustration and allowing me to share mine.
Regards,
Larry
Hi, I don’t live in NY but I live in calfornia and on my street the church has parades that the city supports and when they put signs out on a random week they give out tickets to anyone parked on the street during the parade. Sadly this time they did not make one in visaully available near my house. My husband works the night shift and comes home when its still dark so unless a sign is near our house he can know of such a random event. There was no sign that was visible near our home or across the street the signs that were up were hidden and only visual to anyone parked two houses down from us.We got a ticket for $134 for not abidding these signs. I took pictures will this be enough proof?
Hi, Angie,
Good morning.
Man, parking tickets inflict pain on both coasts.
Sorry to hear about the costly ticket.
I’m afraid that my limited expertise is limited to NYC.
Is there a rule or law about how much time must be given in advance of ticketing?
Sorry, I can’t be more helpful, Angie.
Good luck.
Regards,
Larry
Hi, I live in the city of Yonkers NY and in the street where I live there’s no sign at all. There is a lots of houses with their own driveways and no street cleaning signs, so as long as you’re not parked in front of anyone’s driveway you’re fine.
However I have a TLC plates because I work for Uber and two days ago I found a ticket on my windshield from the Parking Enforcement of the city of Yonkers and it says that Commercial vehicles, taxis, delivery cabs etc… are not allowed to parked there for more than 3 hours. Now my concern is not only how can I fight it but where am I supposed to park if I live there and driving for Uber is what I do for living. Thanks Larry
Hi, Oury,
Yikes! What a total pain.
My limited expertise is limited to the 5-Boroughs, so here’s my best suggestion.
I would fight the stupid ticket and argue that the overnight parking rule is limited to prohibiting commercial vehicles from parking overnight in a residential neighborhood. Your TLC-OMT plate
is not a commercial plate. Ergo, your vehicle is not a commercial vehicle. Double ergo, your vehicle is not prohibited from parking overnight in a residential neighborhood.
Good luck.
Regards,
Larry
Are the disabled/elderly expected to do this? What if walking the block did not feel safe (poor lighting, high crime area, vacant houses or lots, or simply unsafe at that moment)? If they want people to obey signs, they really have no choice but to post them at given intervals and in a way that is highly visible (i.e. Bright orange and BIG- like the street cleaning signs in Chicago). CLASS ACTION SUIT.
Hi, Nasil,
Good morning.
Well said. But I’m afraid the Evil Empire is more interested in your money than your safety.
Good luck.
Regards,
Larry