Can I park in a school zone without getting an NYC parking ticket?
Here are the NYC parking rules to know when you park in a school zone:
The general rule is they allow you to park in school zones when school is not in session.
However, when schools are open on holidays, during summer vacation, or for teacher meetings and similar activities, parking restrictions remain in effect.
(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 you are 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.
Here’s a great resource to check if you want to park safely in a school zone
The NYC Public School Calendar lists key 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.
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
All public schools are closed beginning Monday, March 16th
Tuesday, May 19, 2020 NY Times:
“On Tuesday, Mayor Bill de Blasio gave a sense of the dimensions of the problem: He announced that nearly 16 percent of New York City’s 1.1 million students would be asked to attend online summer school for about six weeks — about four times as many as were asked to attend summer school last year.”
For more detailed information, visit the coronavirus (COVID-19) page.
You should contact the specific school to verify that it’s in recess and there are no activities going on.
Here’s a mistake to avoid
A wonderful 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 parking wasn’t permitted 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 fateful date).
Remember…Make sure that school was closed AND no activities were going on before you park in a parking space that prohibits parking during school days.
Double parking in a school zone
is only permitted in a school zone when a parent or caretaker is called to the school on a “medical emergency.” You may fight a parking ticket for double parking by submitting a statement from school personnel that you or a caretaker was called to the school on 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
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