Last Updated on October 15, 2023 by Lawrence Berezin
Learning all the NYC parking signs for “No Standing” takes relentless repetition.
Learning the NYC parking signs that display rules for no standing, no parking, and no stopping is not an easy task. Separating the truth from the myths about the three parking zones is even more difficult, especially when the two little words “no stopping, “no standing,” or “no parking” do not appear on the parking sign.
For example, check out the above photo of two parking signs on the same gotcha pole. The top red sign is easy. It displays those two little words, “no standing.” But what about the white bottom sign that says, “Truck Loading Only?” Is it a no-standing sign, no no-parking sign, or a no-stopping sign? (Answer: No standing).
But why is distinguishing between a no-standing zone and a no-parking zone critical?
Because the zone determines the activities you can perform in the area. For example, in a no-standing zone, you can only stop temporarily to drop off or pick up passengers and must leave the zone immediately. While in a no-parking area, you are permitted to drop off people and property.
A Truck Loading Only Rule is considered a no-standing rule (Yikes) in the NYC Traffic Rules.
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Larry’s Guide to Redesigned Parking Signs
True or False? The redesigned parking signs make parking a breeze. Likewise, I understand every sign and have zero questions about its meaning. If your answer is True, then you don’t need this guide. (False for most of us!)
On the other hand, if the redesigned signs are still confusing, you might benefit from some tips about understanding them and parking safely.
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No Standing Zone
Don’t forget, no stopping, no standing, and no parking are the same thing; halting your vehicle. “I came, I saw, I conquered…Julius Caesar.” “I stop, I stand, I park.” So, what’s the difference?
The difference is the activity you can perform in each zone. For example, in a no-stopping area, you cannot stop temporarily to drop off or pick up a passenger expeditiously. However, in a no-standing zone, you are permitted to stop temporarily if you are actively engaged in dropping off or picking up a passenger at the curb and leaving immediately. But, no packages!
On the other hand, you can pick up or drop off a passenger with her stuff in a no-parking zone. But, you can only stop temporarily and expeditiously drop off or pick up the passenger and her stuff and leave the area immediately. No waiting!
Remember these immortal words, “I stop, I stand, I park.” These three activities are the same thing, halting your vehicle. However, the parking ticket gods will allow you to stop temporarily to drop off or pick up a passenger (to and from the curb) as long as you leave the area immediately.
In other words, you can stop, drop and go. But, you cannot stop, drop, and wait for your Aunt Tillie to cross the street.
Take this brief 3-question quiz
1. I can park my vehicle in a no-standing zone. True or False?
2. I can unload all my groceries to the curb in a no-standing zone. True or false?
3. Stopping, standing, and parking are the same thing. True or False.
Any questions or comments? The answers to these three questions will be posted tomorrow.
- False 2.False 3. True
I was in nyc 1/4/19 and i did under stand now i do.
What happens if you didn’t see the “no standing” sign and parked your car there??
Hi, George,
Good morning.
If the nasty sign was hidden from view, you have a defense that may work. But, your photos of the sign must persuade a judge that the sign was not visible even when you stood next to it.
Good luck.
Regards,
Larry
I am from Vermont, and was on my first car trip to NYC where we overnight-ed in a busy suburb. Parking was impossible to find, and I eventually found what looked like a completely normal parking space. Being from Vermont, I did not interpret the ‘No Standing’ sign as no parking (my literal mind thought it mean’t ‘No Loitering’…like for humans…). Do I pay the fine, or do I have a defense? Can ignorance be used as a defense if you are out of state?
Hi, Theo,
Sorry to learn about your rude treatment at the hands of a Parking Ticket Warrior or Cop.
I would make sure:
All the required elements were entered correctly
The place of occurrence entered on the parking ticket was regulated by a no standing sign (rule)
I’m sorry but ignorance of the law is not a winning defense for parking tickets. Parking violations do not require a driver’s intent to violate a rule. The Evil Empire must prove
the rule was in fact violated (no intent to violate like in your case is necessary).
Good luck.
Regards,
Larry
I got the same treatment. I’m from normal parts of the country where No Standing means don’t stand around. It doesn’t mean no parking. My suggestion…never go back. Where can a murderer get away with murder but a person paki g a car in a No Standing zone be guilty? NYC, of course.
Hi, Dash,
I replied to your later comment.
Regards,
Larry
1 no standing sign for an entire Avenue block in Brooklyn!
Of course I did not see it being that there were some trucks and busses parked along the block blocking it.
Any idea how I can fight it.
I tried but was given the ‘guilty’ ruling, since they say you need to check the entire block before parking!!
I hear you and totally agree.
I, for one, isn’t going to walk an entire NYC block to discover a parking sign planted at the opposite end.
On appeal, 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 submiited.
Good luck.
Regards,
Larry
Hello!
Does a [disability] handicap tag permit parking in any of these zones?
Thanks
Hi, A,
Here’s the scoop:
Using the City Permit
The city permit is a rectangular placard. Display it in full view on the driver’s side dashboard.
Unlike the state permit, your City permit entitles drivers to park only in New York City.
The following list indicates what is covered by your New York City Special Parking Identification Permit.
The permit entitles the operator of a vehicle to park:
At any metered parking space, Passenger or Commercial, without charge
At any “No Parking” space regardless of hours including those for Street Cleaning regulations
At any space designated for use by Authorized Vehicles, including Diplomats (DPL), New York Press (NYP) or any governmental agency, except spaces designated for Ambulances and Ambulettes
In any “No Standing except Trucks Loading/Unloading or Truck Loading” Zone (EXCEPTION: Garment District parking area on cross town streets 35th-41st Streets, between 6th and 8th Avenues). These signs should be read carefully; permit holders may park only during the days and times that trucks may park.
New York City Special Parking Identification Permits are not authorized for parking:
In a No Stopping Zone
In a general No Standing Zone with restricted hours ( i.e. No Standing 4PM – 7PM)
In spaces designated for Ambulances and Ambulettes
In a Hotel Loading Zone
In a taxi stand
In For-Hire Vehicle stands
In carshare parking spaces
In a bus stop
In a fire zone
Within 15 feet of a fire hydrants
In a driveway or crosswalk or on a sidewalk
Or for Double parking
I stopped at a no standing zone because i had to drop off something at my college and left my friend in the car ot took me less then two minutes and recived a call saying i was getting a ticket, my friend told the officer that i was coming tk move the car as the officer was telling my friend that we had tk move the car now and she kept writing the ticket without giving us time to turn on the car. Do you think i can fight it and win it?
Hi, David,
Good morning.
Sorry about your no standing pain.
You are permitted to stop temporarily to drop off or pick up a passenger to the curb in a no standing zone. However, you are not permitted to exit your car even for a “NY Minute” or wait in a no standing zone for a driver or passenger to run an errand.
Regards,
Larry
I lived in N.Y.C. my entire life and I’m 5 generations. I’ve always owned a car in Manhattan. I got all of the above questions INCORRECT!
Hi Diane,
Yikes! You are either the “Artful Dodger” or have paid a ton of tickets. I hope it is the former.
Thanks for sharing your comment with all of us.
Be safe.
Regards,
Larry
Basically I had the same problem with David above. I pulled up to a no standing zone to pick up my girlfriend while she was walking across from the street to go in my car. As soon as shes in my car I’m ready to leave this meter maid literally ran and tried to scan my registration by giving me a ticket when he clearly saw that I was trying to leave. When he tried to scan I maneveured over to the side(not dangerously) and he barely scanned my registration. Then he tells me when i’m in the other lane that he already scanned my registration, but then when he hears me saying that I was leaving when he tried to do that; he told me to come back closer to the curb so he can rescan my registration again to get rid of the ticket out of the system because he clearly heard me tell him that I was leaving and he was going to correct a mistake. Not knowing that he was lying he scanned my registration and inputted into the system and gave me a ticket. I knew damn well that he didn’t get me the first time and he lied making me come back so he could rescan it when he never gave me a ticket in the first place. I appealed this ticket and even reported him to the NYC Dept of Tax and Finance. A. He saw my hand on the wheel and clearly saw me trying to pull out when he tried to scan my registration B. He lied and told me that since I was leaving he was going to remove the so called information he had on my car out of the system, but tricked me into giving me a ticket. I never seen such fucked up shit before in my life. I never ever received a ticket like this before; there were times where I even standed in a “no standing zone” for an hr and no meter maid ever just ran up and tried scanning my registration, worst thing they did was to tell me to leave. Also he put in violation of section 4-08(c) as my ticket (c) Violation of posted no standing rules prohibited. I’m pretty sure he meant section 4-08((f) General no standing zones (standing and parking prohibited in specified places). The no standing zone sign said no standing between 4pm-7pm only and nothing else specified so I believe it falls under 4-08(f). Regardless this guy was an asshole; is there anything else I can do to fight this ticket?
My wife and I, my dog and cat are moving to Seattle.
I won’t be able to reply to comments until after October 1, 2020.
Sorry!
Regards,
Larry
I got a ticket saying I parked on the opposite side of the no standing sign, can I fight this ticket?
Hi Deone,
Good afternoon.
There are three formats to describe the location where they claim you parked your vehicle: Front, Opposite, and Metes and Bounds.
If there is a no standing sign that regulates the parking space, OPPOSITE the place of occurrence, this is not a winning defense. For example, if the place of occurrece is 2255 115th Street and there isn’t a no standing sign regulating the parking space on the opposite side of the street, accross from 2255 115th Street, you win upon submitting the proper proof.
Good luck.
Regards,
Larry