How to avoid an NYC parking ticket in No Parking Zones

There are three “no” zones in NYC. No parking zones, No standing zones, and No stopping zones.

It’s easy to identify the “No” Zone if there is a parking sign that says, No Parking. But, what if there is a parking sign that doesn’t explicitly state the type of No Zone? For example, is a hotel loading zone a no standing or a no parking zone?

What’s the difference?

If you recently moved to New York City from Mars, or have never stumbled across this blog before…

No Standing Zone- You are permitted to stop temporarily to drop off or pick up people, and quickly skedaddle.

No Parking Zone- You are permitted to stop temporarily to drop off or pick up people and things, and quickly skedaddle.

Here’s a list of no parking zones in NYC

(1) No parking — street cleaning

(2) No parking — taxi stand

(3) No parking except handicapped permits (off-street)

(4) Official markings

(5) No parking except authorized vehicles

(6) No parking — hotel  loading zone

(7) Emergency sites

(9) Vacant lots

Marginal streets and waterfronts 

[Marginal Street. A “marginal street” shall mean any street, road, place, area or way adjoining or adjacent to waterfront property and designated as a marginal street, wharf or place on a plan or map adopted pursuant to the law].

[Waterfront property. The term “waterfront property” shall mean all waterfront property, city or privately owned, between salt water and the next adverse owner. An adverse owner is the first private owner of property not designated as waterfront property].

[The above list and definitions can be found in the Department of Transportation, Traffic Rules, Section 4-01 (Words and Phrases) and 4-08 (Stopping, Standing and Parking)]