All You Need to Know About Timely Neighborhood Loading Zones

Spotlight on Neighborhood Loading Zones

I got an email from Joe, an excellent, old client asking me to review a no-parking ticket. Meanwhile, he got the evil ticket while dropping off his two children (ages 9 and 11) in a neighborhood loading zone.

In other words, Joe popped the trunk, got out of his car, walked to the rear, and helped his boys gather their stuff from the truck (book bags, lunch boxes, computers, and jackets). However, when Joe returned to the driver’s seat and was about to start the car, he saw a parking ticket sticking out from under the wiper.

Joe never saw the warrior issue the ticket.

Estimated reading time: 8 minutes

What is a neighborhood loading zone?

I was happy to help. But, frankly, I had never heard of neighborhood loading zones. So, it was time to put on my research helmet and do some homework.

The DOT explains the purpose of neighborhood loading zones:

The growth of e-commerce deliveries on residential streets and for-hire vehicle trips throughout the city have changed the way New Yorker’s use our curbs. As demands on the City’s limited amount of curb space continues to grow, trucks, delivery vehicles, and personal vehicles need safe ways to access the curbs while not blocking traffic, including on bus routes or in bike lanes.
NYC DOT’s Neighborhood Loading Zone (NLZ) program aims to reduce double parking on narrow residential streets by providing space at the curb for activities such as:
-Package deliveries by commercial vehicles
-Taxi and car service pick-up and drop-off
-Active loading and unloading of personal vehicles
Providing dedicated curb space for these activities during daytime and evening hours will help to reduce double parking as well as other unwanted standing behaviors, creating a safer and more efficient environment for all road users. NLZs aim to help reduce conflicts between trucks and cyclists, improve bus travel times, and better serve all of the activities that occur on our city’s streets.

NYC DOT

Where are NLZs located?

Neighborhood Loading Zones are in all five boroughs. These curb spaces may be used for the expeditious pick-up and drop-off of passengers and goods.
NLZs are marked with No Parking signs and signage with detailed information about how to use these spaces. Always follow posted parking regulations.

NYC DOT

The number of zones is growing.

The NYC Council recently enacted a law requiring the creation of at least 500 new zones per year.

This bill would require the Department of Transportation (“DOT”) to create a public methodology for determining where loading zones are necessary to enhance safety and reduce traffic congestion. DOT would be required to create at least five loading zones annually in each neighborhood tabulation area that meets the department’s methodology, provided that no fewer than 500 total new loading zones are created citywide annually for the first three years following the effective date of the local law. By January 1, 2023, DOT would also be required to report on its progress toward implementing loading zones, and to publicly post the location of all loading zones citywide.

nyc council

Did Joe deserve a no-parking ticket?

No! I prepared a defense certification and exhibits. Likewise, I submitted Joe’s defense online.

Defense Certification

Dear Honorable Judge,

I certify as follows:

I am not guilty of this no-parking violation because:

-I pulled to the curb in our “neighborhood loading zone” to drop off my two children (ages 11 and 9).

-Earlier that afternoon, I picked them up from school.

-I stopped at the curb, opened the trunk, jumped out, and helped unload my children’s things (heavy school backpacks, small computers, jackets, etc.)

Meanwhile, we finished the entire process promptly.

However, I saw this ticket on the windshield when I got back into the driver’s seat and was about to drive away to look for a parking space.

I never noticed the TEA put the ticket on my car.

I have submitted a series of exhibits in support of my defense.

Due to these circumstances, please dismiss this parking ticket.

Thank you.

-I certify that my testimony is true to the best of my knowledge. I fully understand that if my testimony is willfully false, I am subject to punishment

-I certify that the images and photos in my exhibits are true and accurate reproductions of the originals as they existed on the date/time this parking ticket was issued.

Respectfully,

Exhibits

The original judge found us “GUILTY.”

The original judge made a bad decision and we appealed. You’ll find the Decision and the Appeal below.

We are waiting for the appeal panel’s decision.

Check out this FREE DOT neighborhood loading zone brochure. Click on the pretty red link.

Commentary

Are neighborhood loading zones a good idea for your neighborhood? Would it be helpful to have 40 feet or more curb space dedicated to stopping, unloading, and going during certain hours?

It works by combining a neighborhood zoning sign with a no-parking character during certain hours (for example, 7 am to 7 pm). Therefore a no-parking rule applies during those hours. However, parking is permitted during the other hours (for example, after 7 pm until 7 am).

I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Meanwhile, the issue in Joe’s case is whether a driver can get out of the car to help a passenger in a no-parking zone. The complicating problem is that the warrior stated on the ticket that the driver was not present (behind the wheel). We argue that Joe was standing by his car’s trunk, helping young children take out their stuff from the box.

What do you think? Will Joe beat this ticket?

Related Posts

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• How to Beat a No-Parking Ticket the Smart Way
• What Everybody Ought to Know About Blocking an NYC Driveway
• Was it Safe for Joe to Park at this NYC Parking Sign?
• How to Park and Pay the Smart Way NYC

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