Alert: Parking Fines for Violating Street Cleaning Rules have Increased

Alternate side parking fines increased to $65

With very little fanfare, the NYC Department of Sanitation announced last Wednesday that parking fines would increase the following day to a uniform, citywide, parking fines of $65 in all boroughs.

The Department of Sanitation says the change will help to keep the city healthy, safe and clean. (Yea, right!)

Do the increased parking fines change your alternate side parking strategy?

Many drivers employ different strategies to make life a little easier while complying with ASP rules. Some people double park on the unrestricted side of the street, while others remain in their car on the restricted side of the roadway until the sweeper passes.

However, parking fines are higher. $65 for a street cleaning violation in all neighborhoods across our fair city make it challenging to budget for your fair share of street cleaning violations.

Here are some tips to remember:

• It is illegal to double park on the unrestricted side of the street during street cleaning hours
• It is illegal to remain seated behind the wheel of your car on the restricted side of the roadway waiting for the sweeper to pass
• The 5-minute grace period applies to the start of a street cleaning rule
• For example, if street cleaning starts at 9 am, a Warrior or Cop is prohibited from issuing a street cleaning ticket until 9:06 am

Commentary

I recommend that we re-think our street cleaning parking strategy for at least the next few months. Warrior and Cops are highly motivated to issue street cleaning rule violations with the current increased parking fine. I anticipate they will be less willing to turn the other cheek to the illegal customs that have developed in every neighborhood.

Change is tough, but paying $65 each time you guess wrong will be very expensive. Remember, pain is a motivator for change. Try to refrain from double parking on the unrestricted side of the street or remain seated behind the wheel of your chariot on the restricted side of the street during street cleaning hours.

However, if you do get hit with a street cleaning violation, check the front of your ticket for omitted, misdescribed, and illegible required elements.

Remember that if you are sitting behind the wheel when a ticket is issued, the Warrior or Cop is required to enter your name on the ticket.

Good luck!