When Can I Park in a School Zone without Fear of a Ticket?
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 much more than school is closed to students. In other words, parking restrictions remain in effect when schools are open on holidays, during summer vacation, 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 do 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 this link.
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.
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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.
Just click the pretty button below. You’ll be glad you did!
FAQ
What is a school zone (parking)?
NYC.Gov, “Parking Signs and Rules,” see, parking in a school zone
How do I know how much curb space is regulated by a school zone parking sign?
NYC.Gov, “Parking Signs and Rules,” see, parking in a school zone
What does it mean that schoolday parking signs are in effect on “school days?”
-Teacher’s meetings
-Extracurricular activities, such as the school newspaper, sports, and tutoring
-Not limited to weekdays
NYC.Gov, “Parking Signs and Rules,” see, parking in a school zone
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 happening.
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 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 attend 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 called 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.
I find the article helpful, even though it didn’t put my mind at ease because there’s no way a motorist can tell if teachers meetings are taking place when summer session is on! I would therefore suggest never park in a school zone regardless of the time of year! Thanks!
This is absurd, I am a school teacher, and I need to park my vehicle, why won’t the Department of Transportation unify with the Department of Education and allow teachers to PARK during the school days 7am – 4pm?
James,
I hear your frustration and totally agree. I am surprised that the teacher’s union or another local representative group hasn’t tried to work out a solution with the NYC Council. Good luck. Regards, Larry
A few grammatical errors of your own on this school-oriented website. Sorry. Schools have “personnel” not “personal”. I hope this helps increase your reach and credibility. Best of luck. Terry
Hi, Terry,
Yikes! My high school teacher is rolling over in her grave.
Thanks for the “catch.”
(It’s corrected).
Regards,
Larry
Wanted to see if there’s any confirmation that we’re ok to park in school zones now during COVID-19 break?
Hi, HW,
Good morning. Great question.
There hasn’t been an announcement that it is o.k. to park in school parking lots while school is closed.
However, the school breakfast and lunch program is still operational.
The prohibition about parking in school parking lots/school zones is active as long as there is a school activity going on. School may be closed to students, but if there is a school activity going on the standing/parking restriction still remain in effect.
Regards,
Larry
Can I park all the way far from school near Corner while school is open or close ? And on weekends Friday – Sunday can I park my car by school before the sign pole ?
Hi Asking,
Good afternoon.
-You need to check out the arrow(s) on a no-standing school days parking sign to answer your questions. Remember, the rule is in effect in the direction of the arrow(s) until the next parking sign. Or, if none, then the end of the block.
-A no-standing school days sign is in effect on days that school is in session. Or, any day that there is an activity at the school (like parent-teacher conferences, teacher meetings, sports activities, etc).
You may want to check out this blog post for more details.
Good luck.
Regards,
Larry
Does that include teachers if sign is in front of school building and we have DOE parking permits and have been parking since the start of the school year and suddenly sign changes?
Hi Maureen,
Good afternoon.
Great question.
The short answer is yes. You can park in curb space regulated by a no-parking 7A-4P on school days sign.
The longer answer you’ll find by clicking on this helpful link.
Good luck.
Be safe.
Regards,
Larry
I work in a NYCDOE school with DOE parking signs in front of our school. Rule of thumb is, a DOE school cannot be open for ANY activity if there are no school safety agents in the school. In other words, if you see a safety agent in or around the school, there is an activity happening. The only people that can be in a school without safety agents are custodial staff.
Hi DOE worker,
Good afternoon.
Thanks so much for your very helpful information.
It is really appreciated.
Enjoy the holiday!
Regards,
Larry
And yet, during the summer, if there’s nothing happening at school and it’s CLOSED up tight on a weekday, a cop will still issue a ticket because they assume you won’t fight it. I’ve lived next door to a public elementary school for over 20 years and this is the case in Wash Heights. I wish the DOE and DOT could give a summer schedule.
Hi Kashi,
What a shame!
Here’s a link to the 2022-2023 school schedule.
I hope it helps.
Regards,
Larry
May 18th parking is suspended for solemnity of the Ascension and I received a parking tick for “No Std ex auth vehicle DAYS/HRS: SCHOOL DAYS / 7A-4P
CAN I FIGHT THIS TICKET?
Hi Raymond,
Good afternoon.
I’m afraid that the Evil Empire suspends ASP rules for legal parking holidays, but not all parking rules. Likewise, SA is not a defense to a school days ticket.
Please don’t shoot the messenger.
Regards,
Larry