Last Updated on December 4, 2023 by Lawrence Berezin
The Guide to the fire hydrant rule.
Larry’s No-Nonsense Guide to the Fire Hydrant Rule. In other words, N.Y.C. drivers are making $115 mistakes that can be prevented with an extra pinch of knowledge. It is time to take another look at the N.Y.C. fire hydrant rule.
Can you guess the most common mistake?
Table of Contents
- The Guide to the fire hydrant rule.
- The fire hydrant rule requires warriors and cops to guess
- What can happen if you park too close?
- Here’s a look at a fire hydrant parking ticket. The red arrow points to the guess.
- Fire hydrant F.A.Q.’s
- Commentary
- Related Posts
- Popular Posts
The fire hydrant rule requires warriors and cops to guess
That’s right. They must guess the distance between a car and a fire hydrant. That is to say, they don’t use a tape measure or a laser beam. Just a pair of eyes.
Moreover, any number will do; it doesn’t have to be correct. All a judge needs to see is a number!
The common mistake many drivers make is letting a useless guess distract them from proving they parked more than 15 feet away.
For example, a warrior guessed you parked 2 feet from a fire hydrant. But you knew you parked at least 17 feet away. Since the warrior’s guess is irrelevant, don’t bother arguing that the guess was incorrect. But remember, you still have to prove that you parked more than 15 feet from the fire hydrant to beat the ticket.
What can happen if you park too close?
Here’s a look at a fire hydrant parking ticket. The red arrow points to the guess.
Similarly, a warrior or cop must enter their estimate of the distance between the fire hydrant and your car, but the guess doesn’t have to be correct. Therefore, a misdescribed guess does not result in a dismissal of the ticket. However, if the guess is omitted, a judge will dismiss the fire hydrant ticket. Make sense? No, but it’s the law.
The only number that matters is 15 feet. A driver must prove that they parked their car more than 15 feet from the fire hydrant. That’s your burden of proof. Likewise, your burden of proof never changes.
Free Guide
“Common Mistakes in Fighting an NYC Fire Hydrant Violation and How to Fix Them.”
Don’t let a self-inflicted wound cost you a $115 fire hydrant ticket fine. In other words, a mistake can be avoided if you learn the rule and their exceptions. Most importantly, be aware of the common mistakes a driver can make when parking near a fire hydrant and avoid them. Here’s one way:
Download Larry’s cheat sheet. It is waiting for you to click the red button below.
Fire hydrant F.A.Q.’s
15 feet
Stopping, standing, and parking is prohibited:
– within fifteen feet of a fire hydrant,
– unless otherwise indicated by signs or parking meters,
– except that during the period from sunrise to sunset
– if standing is not otherwise prohibited,
– the operator of a passenger car may stand the vehicle alongside a fire hydrant, provided that
the operator remains in the operator’s seat, ready for immediate operation of the vehicle at all times and
– starts the motor of the car on hearing the approach of fire apparatus,
and provided further,
– that the operator shall immediately remove the car from alongside the fire hydrant when instructed to do so by any member of the police, fire, or other municipal department acting in their official capacity.
Yes
-From sunrise to sunset
-If standing is not otherwise prohibited
-The operator must remain in the operator’s seat, ready for immediate operation of the vehicle at all times
No, no, $115 times, no.
Yes. Therefore, your trusted puppy or kitten does not qualify. Nor does your 102-year-old Aunt Tilly, who is sleeping in the back seat (and gave up her driver’s license years ago).
The driver must start the engine and immediately move the car
The driver shall immediately remove the car from alongside the fire hydrant when instructed to do so by any member of the police, fire, or other municipal department acting in their official capacity.
Check out the series of photos below
Commentary
Learning takes relentless repetition. Likewise, knowing how to apply the convoluted fire hydrant rule in real life will save you a bunch of money ($115).
Remember, don’t let a warrior’s guess anger you to the point where you lose track of the real issue. That is a driver must persuade a judge that they parked more than 15 feet from an N.Y.C. fire hydrant.
Just as the warrior makes an “educated” guess on the ticket as to the distance, what is to stop them from alleging that you moved the car forward/backward right before taking the measurement? If their “guess” is absurd, they can argue that the significant discrepancy between what is written on the ticket and the photos showing compliance MUST have been previously doctored by moving the car. Would this have any weight or what is the reply to this nonsense? Thank you and keep up the great work.
Hi DAS,
Great question.
Sadly, rogue judges will always claim a car was moved before a measurement showing a car was more than 15 feet from the fire hydrant. However, most judges give us a fair shake if we offer persuasive evidence to meet our burden of proof. For example,
-I would take a time-dated photo immediately after returning to my car and finding a fire hydrant ticket showing the exact location of my car when the ticket was issued.
-In a perfect world, I would keep a tape measure in my glove compartment for such a measurement
-If a tape measure is not handy, I would include as many immovable landmarks as is reasonably possible.
-Especially the buildings abutting my parking space, curb and sidewalk markings, cars in front or to the rear, and parking signs
-I can then return to the place of occurrence and take photos of a tape measure extended later
-I always certify the truth of my testimony and the accuracy of my photos and images
-Most importantly, I certify that I did not move my car before taking the measurement
-I may argue the lack of a warrior’s credibility if their guess is absurd. Like, it puts me in a crosswalk or other ridiculous location.
I’ve found that if I measure the distance correctly and take accurate photos of the process, and I show my car was more than 15 feet from the fire hydrant, most judges will find me no guilty. If they don’t, I’ll appeal and have been pretty successful fighting against these rogue judges.
How about you, DAS? Any suggestions?
Thanks so much for taking your valuable time to ask a great question.
Regards,
Larry
PS. If a driver’s car is the closest to a fire hydrant in a line of cars, they will probably get a ticket. Under this circumstance, I might even take photos before leaving my car at the mercy of a ticket-hungry warrior.
Larry, I am confused, I asked a few weeks ago but did not get an answer, can I park in front of/within 15 feet of fire hydrant from sunrise to sunset so long as parking is otherwise permitted on the blockface?
Hi Trent,
Good afternoon.
So sorry I missed your comment a few weeks ago.
The answer is a “yes, but.” As long as you comply with the other exceptions:
-There must be a licensed driver seated behind the wheel, ready to move on request by someone authorized to direct traffic (at all times), unless there is a sign that specifically permits you to park by the fire hydrant.
Again, my apologies, Trent.
Regards,
Larry
hello,
I parked by the hydrant to walk my 11 year old daughter across the street and watched her go thru the front gate to school/summer camp, came back as the officer pulled up and scanned my registration. the officer saw this and still proceed to issue the ticket
I did not park and walk away leaving my car there, there were no parking anywhere nearby. The officer know that what I did was to get the kid across the street and see her thru the front gate to school. As a loyal citizen and dedicated mother I do not feel I deserve to get a ticket.
Hi Radika,
Good afternoon.
I hear you load and clear and understand your frustration.
Likewise, I still remember some of my painful experiences trying to find parking to drop my children off for their daily activites.
However, I’m afraid the fire hydrant rule restricts you from leaving your car without a driver within 15 feet of a fire hydrant. Even for the simple exercise of walking with your daughter to camp.
I would check the front of the ticket for omitted, misdescribed, or illegible required elements. If you find one or more, you win, subject to presenting the proper proof.
Good luck.
Regards,
Larry
Hi Larry , well ever since a Urban Air Adventure park was opened on my block(Sunset Park Brooklyn)drivers are constantly parking on the hydrant all three hydrant that are in the block 7 days a week specially on weekends.
Hi Mr. J,
I am sorry to hear that.
Regards,
Larry