Last Updated on November 3, 2022 by Lawrence Berezin
Beating a muni-meter parking ticket is very “doable”
What do a dinosaur, Chevrolet Corvair, muni-meter parking ticket, and a mechanical parking meter have in common?
Larry’s Comment
Speaking of dinosaurs, I originally wrote this article around the time when NYC was changing from mechanical meters to muni meters. However, currently (11-3-22) NYC is in the process of retrofitting the 14, 500 muni-meters to process pay-by-plate instead of pay-and-display. Amazing! Never thought I see the day when pay-and-display was eliminated (It brings back a fond memory of my first NYC parking ticket when my muni meter receipt fell off the dashboard).
Meanwhile, I would check out this article unless you’re looking for a historical perspective on NYC parking meters.
By the way, the NYC Council changed the name of “muni-meters” to “parking meters.”
Welcome back, “parking meters.”
Firstly, New York City is in the process of replacing all mechanical parking meters with Muni-Meters. In other words, mechanical meters are extinct in Manhattan. But, this dying breed of mechanical toll-takers inhabits the other four Jurassic Park boroughs.
On the other hand, what dangers do these new fundraising devices pose to our driving community?
- What if a Muni-Meter is broken?
- Is parking permitted at a broken Muni-Meter?
- Do you know what forms of payment a muni-meter accepts?
- Does the 5-minute grace period count the time it takes to walk to and fro a Muni-Meter to pay the toll?
- Does the 5-minute grace period apply to Muni-Meters?
What if a Muni-Meter is broken?
Here are the steps to follow:
- Call 311, or complete a report online (you must know the meter number or location)
- Defective meters may not be reading credit or parking cards, have fast or failed timing, or are not printing receipts for coin payments. The City inspects the broken Muni-Meter and makes repairs if necessary.
- If your credit card is stuck in a Muni-Meter, contact the bank that issued the card and cancel it. A City crew will be dispatched to the meter location within 24 hours and will retrieve your card and destroy it. If your parking card is stuck in Muni-Meter, the City will retrieve it and mail it back to you.
Larry’s Comment
The current rule for parking at a broken muni-meter requires you to search out a working meter on the block and the next block. However, there is a new, proposed law pending in the NYC Council that would only require you to look for a working meter on one side of the street where the broken meter lives.
My old, arthritic fingers are crossed for the passage of this wonderful law.
Is parking permitted at a broken Muni-Meter?
Yes:
“…If all of the meters on the block, 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” [Via NYC Resource].
But, you must track down and inspect all the Muni-Meters on the city block for a working Muni-Meter (on both sides of the street). If any of these Muni-Meters work, you are required to pay for the time and display the receipt from the “working” Muni-Meter on your dashboard.
Here’s a diagram of a city block. The area included within the green indicates a city block comprises BOTH sides of the street [via Wikipedia: “City Block”].
In the same vein, if you’re parking your chariot in a municipal parking lot, you must search for any working Muni- Meter in the entire parking field (lot).
The muni-meter only accepts certain payments
“All Muni-Meters accept quarters, dollar coins, and parking cards for payment. Meters marked with a credit card logo also accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover Network cards.
Each Muni-Meter has rate information and step-by-step instructions posted on its display card. The meter number also appears on the display card, and parking limits and regulations appear on street signs.”
Larry’s Comment
The current muni-meter is delighted to take your money from the NYC app. Use it wisely, and make sure you enter the information correctly about your car.
Can I get a ticket for walking to and fro a muni-meter?
It is not the walking, it is the start time on the muni-meter receipt that starts the clock ticking. The muni-meter must issue a start time within five minutes of your ticket’s time of issue. I wrote about this wonderful new Muni-Meter law.
Does the 5-minute grace period apply to parking at muni-meter?
Yes. Check out how the 5-minute grace period applies to Muni-Meters (ASP rules and parking signs with specific hours of limitations).
Commentary
NYC plans to retire all mechanical parking meters. As a result, muni-meters control multiple parking spaces on city streets and in municipal parking lots.
In conclusion, is this a good thing? That is to say, it depends on who you ask. Here’s a fascinating article that appears on STREETSBLOG.org. However, if you’re familiar with the mission of Streetsblog, you’ll anticipate their position about creating more parking spaces for chariots that run on fossil fuel.
Park safely.
I got a ticket for Failure to display a Muni-Meter receipt (Code 38). I was well within the 2 hour period of time I purchased on my receipt and had placed the receipt on my drivers-side dashboard as required. However, a gust of wind blew my receipt face down (still on my dash) when I closed my car door (this was one of those ‘polar vortex’ days from back in January where the weather was insane). The agent noted ‘receipt face down’ on my ticket. I plead not guilty and mailed in the original receipt clearly showing I had at least another hour left to legally park there. What are my chances at a hearing? Thanks!
Daniel,
Good afternoon, champ!
You’re the first winner to post a comment at our new home.
A parking ticket judge is now required to dismiss a parking ticket for failure to display a muni meter receipt upon the submission of the receipt showing you paid for the time (and you even have a 5-minute grace period to walk to and from the MM).
Congratulations.
Best,
Larry
Hello,
I work for a business and we have received multiple tickets on a particular vehicle for “failure to display receipt” or “expired muni meter”. However, all of these tickets were issued before 6am. Is there anywhere in the city that muni meter parking is in effect before 6am?
Thank you,
Suzy
Hello Back!
I’m sorry to hear about your company’s parking ticket pain.
I don’t have an answer to your general question, but may I suggest inserting the address where one or more the tickets were issued into the NYC DOT Parking Regulation Map. This Map displays every parking sign.
http://www.nycdot.info/
I hope this helps.
Good luck.
Best,
Larry
I got a ticket for not displaying a muni meter receipt, but the sign clearly states “2-hr parking,” with nothing about it being metered. There was a muni meter on the block, but it seems the haven’t updated the signs in this area. Have you seen this before?
Beth,
Good evening.
Great question.
Please send me the place of occurrence the warrior entered on your parking ticket. I’ll check it out.
Best,
Larry
I parked at a 2 hour meter, paid and displayed receipt on my dash. Two hours later I paid the meter again and displayed the new receipt. I was ticketed for not moving my vehicle! Please help.
Hi Jane,
Good evening.
I’m afraid that you can only park for one 2 hour period and then you have to move along. In other words, you received a ticket for parking for longer than the 2-hour limit.
That is to say, only one 2-hour limit per person.
Be safe.
Regards,
Larry
The ticket says “Front of 41 W 72nd St.”
Thanks!
Dear Beth,
I am sorry to report that the official DOT parking regulation map shows two signs in front of that address stating “pay at muni meter.”
Here’s the link…http://www.nycdot.info/#
Check the box for “parking regulations” in the menu…Scroll down and click, “location search”…enter 41 west 72 street…enter borough. click. and when the little red buttons appear, click on the ones on either side of the address. Then click on “see all 4 results.”
If you see what I see, that’s what the judge will look at to confirm your story that there was no sign saying to pay at the muni meter…
What’s up?
Ah ha! But I have a picture showing that is not the sign that is there! Is a meter a sign that you need to pay, or does there need to be an additional sign post? This street just seems to not have had their signage updated, and according to this map, there are no signs of any kind on the south side of the street. I submitted a letter with the pictures of where I was parked with the sign, so I guess its wait and see from here.
Beth,
The plot thickens…I am not sure that the Evil Empire can glom your money without a separate sign that says, “Pay at the muni meter.” Or whether signage on the actual muni meter is sufficient.
You have photographs of the entire block showing there are no separate signs on a stand-alone pole saying pay at the meter?
Is there any payment notices on the actual muni meter itself?
We’ll get to the bottom of this…
Best,
Larry
I got a ticket while I was still in the car! I was sitting in my car parked in a meter parking zone, waiting for my friend to come down from his apartment, and the meter ticket guy comes out of no where and scans my registration on my windshield, I told the guy I am not parking, I’m just picking someone up, I had the car running and my hazards on too! The guy tells me “its too late I already scanned”. I was furious!!! I fought the ticket and got a response that I sill have to pay the fine. I intend to appeal the decision, but is there anything that I can do when I do appeal? Thanks!
Dear Christian,
Good evening.
I am very sad to report that sitting in your car is not legal (or safe) in a meter parking zone, without paying the meter.
Waiting for a friend in any “NO” zone is not legal, or a defense to a parking ticket.
The mantra is stop, drop and go.
Sorry.
Regards,
Larry
Hi there-
I was parked on 7th avenue in Brooklyn and had a ticket on the dashboard. I was ticketed for being parked at 8th avenue where it said “no parking all days/times” when I was not even parked there.
The hearing judge said that if the address matches the
Rita,
Good afternoon.
I’m happy to reply after you finish your question.
Best,
Larry
Hi
i got a couple of tickets already for the muni-meter parking. where i parked, there are no signs of muni-meter or a machine itself on that side of the block. i sent photographic evidence and even sent them a screenshot of the DOT website where i got the ticket and another separate location so they can see i was right and i still got a guilty verdict from them.
“location between 53rd street and 54th infront of 770 11th ave manhattan”
Carlos,
Wow. Sorry to hear about your parking misfortune.
Please email me the decision and order at larry@newyorkparkingticket.com
I’d like to check it out.
Regards,
Larry
Hi – can I fight a NYC parking ticket at a muni meter for mis described body type and color? My muni meter expired at 8:30pm and ticket was issued at 8:36pm (as I was walking to the car). It is a 2-door bmw convertible but the cop described it as 2DSD and the cars color is “cashmere” (I think “BG” for beige on registration) but cop wrote “GRY”. Cop also did not include VIN on ticket. I wish I could fight for 5-min grace period, as I was walking to car as it happened, but I know I won’t win. What are my chances based on mis described vehicle? Btw, the car is registered in NJ and ticket issued in NYC. Thanks!
Hi- do you think I can fight a ticket for mia described vehicle? My muni ran out at 8:30pm and ticket was written at 8:36pm. My car is a beige (“BG” on registration), 2-door convertible but on the ticket, it is described as a GRY 2DSD. Also the ticket does not have a VIN. My car is registered in nJ and I was ticketed in NYC.
THANK YOU
Hi,
My car was issued two tickets for the same expired muni meter offense 7 minutes apart by two different officers. I appealed the second one online and lost although the comments make no indication they read anything I wrote, it just says I submitted no evidence and plead guilty. Before I appeal the decision I wanted to know if the second officer was following protocol to issue the second ticket a few minutes after the first one.
Thanks!
Dear Dave,
I am sad to report (after dedicating 6 years, 7-days-per-week, with two months off for my heart attack) that I will no longer be answering questions on Larry’s Blog. You’ll find a treasure trove of information in the 746 Blog Posts and growing, F.A.Q.’s, and comments.
If you need help, you may wish to check out of service offerings. Here’s a link.
https://newyorkparkingticket.com/passenger-vehicles/
Good morning,
I would like to know if I could get my money back from a parking meter ticket. I was adding time which is .25 cents for 15 minutes. After .50cents it jumped to $1.50. I thought I could start it all over if I kept pressing add time but once it reached the max it printed out my ticket. I tried to cancel it but it was to late. Do you think I have a chance of getting my money back?
Dear Tiffany,
I am sad to report (after dedicating 6 years, 7-days-per-week, with two months off for my heart attack) that I will no longer be answering questions on Larry’s Blog. You’ll find a treasure trove of information in the 746 Blog Posts and growing, F.A.Q.’s, and comments.
If you need help, you may wish to check out of service offerings. Here’s a link.
https://newyorkparkingticket.com/passenger-vehicles
Good afternoon,
I stepped away from my vehicle in order to get change for the meter but when I got back an officer was already writing me up a ticket. At first, I tried talking him out of it but he didn’t even stop to listen, so I quickly went to the meter and placed a quarter in but received it at 4:57 which is within 3 mins after the time written on the ticket at 4:54. whats my plan of action from here on in?
Joseph,
Good afternoon.
You may have outfoxed the fox.
The 5-minute grace period may set you free and save you some money.
If the start time on the muni-meter receipt is within 5-minutes of the time the ticket was issued, you win. I would submit a defense statement and copy of your muni-meter receipt to the judge and wait for the good news.
Good luck, Joseph.
Regards,
Larry
Good afternoon – Is there any way to fight a ticket for violation code 38, failure to display parking meter receipt, received on a holiday, Presidents Day?
Alternate side parking rules were suspended due to the holiday so I assumed meters were also suspended and did not pay the meter.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
Hi,Franny
I’m sorry to report that I am no longer answering questions on the blog.
Just a little too much for this old guy to keep up with.
Good luck.
Regards,
Larry
Good evening. I was an out of town visitor last month. My fiance and I parked in Brooklyn in a space that was required to habe a parking meter receipt. So, at first I looked around for someone to ask where to pay, and a man pointed me to the meter on the corner, about 50 feet away. So, I went to the meter and tried to put two quarters in it and the receipt wouldn’t print. I tried it again 2 or so more times, no luck I looked toward my cat and saw the parking ticket warrior walking around my car. I went up to him and told him that we just arrived in the area and I washaving trouble with the meter. He asked me if that was my car and I said that it was and again explained my situation. He said “ok, I’m gonna give you something.” I asked him to help me with the meter, which he did very courageously and professionally. He explained that you can only put one coin in the meter at a time. So, I handed him a quarter, he put it in the meter, and then printed out the receipt. He handed me the receipt and told me to hold onto it, then handed me the parking ticket that he had printed out before I got to him and told me to put it on my dashboard and I could park there for the rest of the day and I wouldn’t be bothered again. He yhen.told me to send the parking receipt in with the ticket and I wouldn’t have to pay the ticket. The time on the ticket is 5:02 pm and the time on the meter receipt is 5:05 pm. After we returned home from the trip, I mailed the ticket, receipt, and a letter explaining the situation to dispute the ticket. Last week I looked up my ticket on the website and it said Hearing Held – Guilty and showed that I still have to pay $35. Do I have any chance of an appeal? Any input you can offer would be greatly appreciated. Thank you
Hi, Anthony,
Man, what a shame. That’s no way to treat a visitor to our unfair City!
-You have 30 days to appeal from the date a judge entered her bad decision
-Your appeal must be received by the Evil Empire within that 30-day period
-Your burden of proof is to persuade an appeals panel that the original judge made a mistake of law or fact based on the evidence you submitted
-You are not permitted to offer new evidence on appeal
-The 5-minute grace period applies to your case
-A judge is required to dismiss a failure to display your MM receipt ticket if the start time on your MM receipt is within 5-minutes of the time of offense on the ticket
You can appeal onlineor by mail
Good luck, Anthony.
Let me know the outcome.
Regards,
Larry
I received a parking ticket with the violation stating “failure to display parking meter record”. What if I paid using the parking app where you do not display a receipt but inadvertently paid for my old car? (I recently started a new lease and forgot to change the license plate on the parking app). Can I dispute that the violation the officer stated is incorrect even though I made the mistake of using the wrong license plate? Thanks for your input!
Hi, Jo,
I don’t have a definitive answer to your excellent question. But, I can say that if the old plate was listed instead of your current plate, a judge in Parking Ticket Land will find you guilty.
But, you may have a chance to win an appeal, if you no longer owned the plate when the ticket was issued.
Good luck.
Regards,
Larry
I am truly thankful to the holder of this website who has shared this enormous post at here.
Hi, Bishop,
Very kind of you to say!
Thank you.
Regards,
Larry
Hi Larry,
I paid for the time using the app, and got a ticket 2 minutes after the time finished, does the 5-min rule count when using the app and could it be dropped?
Hi, Student,
Good morning.
Yes. Great thinking.
The 5-minute grace period applies, as you correctly stated.
Good luck.
Regards,
Larry
hello Larry,
I issued a parking meter receipt. I notice the “meter #/ zone” does not match the place of occurrence that the traffic agent enter. I plead not guilty and showed proof that the zone # on the ticket does not match the place of occurrence. I showed proof from https://www.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=d12f03e992d741f89bd3b28d1c106dec. (nyc dot paring rate map). I have not received the notice from the judge(i am assuming because of the convid virus) how ever, I checked my license plate to see the status. The hearing was complete and still have to pay for the parking meter ticket. Could you please give me an advise when I have evidence that the zone # does not match the place of occurrence.
Hi,
A new parking sign that reads only commercial vehicles was placed in a street I’ve been parking in for over 20 years! I didn’t see the new parking sign and paid the meter so I got a ticket. Can I dispute it?
Hi Eliza,
Good afternoon.
Great question.
You can win a dismissal if you get a parking ticket within five days of a newly installed parking sign. However, you have to be able to prove the date of installation. That’s the not-so-easy part.
Here’s the Law:
§ 19-175.2 Notification of changes in parking restrictions.
a. Following any permanent change in parking restrictions posted by the department, the department shall post notice, in the affected areas, indicating the effective date of such change. An owner of a motor vehicle parked in the affected areas who receive a notice of a parking violation that occurred within five days of posting of the notice of the parking restriction change shall have an affirmative defense that the vehicle of the owner was parked in compliance with the applicable parking restriction that was in effect prior to such change. Within one business day of making a permanent change in parking restrictions, such change will be reflected on the website containing parking restrictions as required by section 19-175.1 of the code.
Here are some ideas:
-Check the sign and sign pole for the date of installation
-Ask the merchants on the block for the date
-Ask a truck driver for the date
A reasonable way should be to file a FOIL request, But you will not get a timely or meaningful reply.
Good luck.
Regards,
Larry