When Can I Park in a School Zone without Fear of a Ticket?

Last Updated on November 3, 2022 by Lawrence Berezin

Can I ever park in a school zone without getting a ticket?

Here are the NYC rules to know when you stop, stand, park, or double park in a school zone:

The general rule is that the Evil Empire allows you to park when “school is in recess.”

But what does “school is in recess” mean? Most notably, “school is in recess” means more than school is closed to students. Because parking restrictions remain in effect when schools are open on holidays, during summer vacation, during teacher meetings, and similar activities; in other words, if an action occurs in the building, the school is not in recess.

Most importantly, (COVID-19) Parking restrictions remain in effect while schools are doing distance learning.

To contact an individual school, call 311, and ask for the “Find a School” service; they will give you the school’s telephone number. For TTY Deaf and hearing-impaired, dial 212-504-4115. If calling from outside the five boroughs, dial 212-NEW-YORK (DOT Website).”

Or check out the “Find a School” Map by clicking on this link.

Table of Contents

• Can I ever park in a school zone without getting a ticket?
• How about on a Saturday?
• Here’s a great resource to check if you want to park safely in a school zone
• FAQ
  • Coronavirus (COVID-19)
  • Tuesday, May 19, 2020, NY Times:
• Here’s a mistake to avoid
• Double park at school?
• Commentary
• Why risk a costly parking ticket when Larry’s Top 10 Tips are free to download?
• Popular Posts

How about on a Saturday?

Maybe yes, do. If there are no:

• Classes in session
• Teacher’s meetings or
• Other activities

Then it is safe to park.

Here’s a great resource to check if you want to park safely in a school zone

The NYC Public School Calendar lists critical dates for parents and students during the school year, including:

• Holiday closures
• Parent-teacher conferences
• Half-days and early dismissals
• Enrollment deadlines
• Public meetings

Get the NYC Public School Calendar.

FAQ

Coronavirus (COVID-19)

All public schools are closed beginning Monday, March 16

Tuesday, May 19, 2020, NY Times:

“On Tuesday, Mayor Bill de Blasio gave a sense of the dimensions of the problem: He announced that NYC would be asking nearly 16 percent of New York City’s 1.1 million students to attend online summer school for about six weeks — about four times as many as last year.”

For more detailed information, visit the coronavirus (COVID-19) page.

You should contact the school to verify that it’s in recess and no activities are going on.

Here’s a mistake to avoid

An excellent client of ours received this email from his children’s teacher. He read it, surmised that school was closed, and parked in a space where you weren’t permitted to park on school days. Did he get a parking ticket?

Sure did! Although the school was closed for students, it was not closed for teachers (they had a workshop on that date).

Remember to ensure that school is closed AND that no activities are going on before you park in a parking space that prohibits parking during school days.

Double park at school?

Double parking is only permitted when a school representative calls a parent or caretaker to come to the school on a “medical emergency.” You may fight a parking ticket for double parking by submitting a statement from school personnel that the school call you to come to school in a medical emergency,

Here’s a link to an article in “Streets blog NYC” reacting to a bill introduced by NYC Councilman Joel Rivera that would allow parents to double park in school zones while picking up their children. What’s your reaction to the proposed legislation? (still pending as of April 14, 2014).

Resource: School Finder

Commentary

Whether to park or not to park is a thorny question. The easy part is to determine that classes are not in session. But what about all the other stuff? Like teacher’s meetings and sporting events? Is it safe to have an appointment with your child’s teacher in the evening? I don’t think so!

What if you get a frantic call from the school nurse asking you to come to school to pick up your daughter, who hurt herself in a fall? Is it fair for a parent or caretaker to double park? How about your childcare worker? Is it fair? Would you do it?

I would do it in a heartbeat! How about you?

Be careful. Do your homework about school events scheduled for the day you intend to park. It’s a tough assignment, but a passing grade will save you a costly parking ticket.

Why risk a costly parking ticket when Larry’s Top 10 Tips are free to download?

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