Last Updated on October 20, 2021 by Lawrence Berezin
7 Special NYC parking rules for commercial vehicles you ought to know about
New York City giveth and New York City taketh away. That is to say; It giveth when it permits commercial vehicles to park in no-parking zones while making deliveries or service calls.
In the same vein, commercial vehicles may be issued a parking ticket by an over-zealous warrior; it is beatable. And will be dismissed upon submission of the proper proof.
On the other hand, NYC taketh away when the commissioner of the Department of Transportation invents the unfathomable NYC parking rule, “Parking of unaltered commercial vehicles prohibited.”
Besides the unfathomable unaltered commercial vehicle rule, six other special rules can create havoc for companies making deliveries or services calls in New York City.
Let’s start with the definition of a commercial vehicle contained in sections 4-01 of the Rules of NYC.
Commercial vehicles
Definitions
Commercial vehicle.
4-08(i) For purposes of parking, standing, and stopping rules, a vehicle shall not be deemed a commercial vehicle or a truck unless:
(A) It bears commercial plates; and
(B) It is permanently altered by having all seats and seat fittings, except the front seats, removed to help the transportation of property, except that for vehicles designed with a passenger cab and a cargo area separated by a partition, the seating capacity within the cab shall not be considered in determining whether the vehicle is properly altered; and
(C) It displays the registrants’ name and addresses permanently affixed in characters at least three inches high on both sides of the vehicle, with such display being in a color contrasting with that of the vehicle and placed approximately midway vertically on doors or side panels
(ii) For the purposes of rules other than parking, stopping, and standing rules, a vehicle designed, maintained, or used primarily for the transportation of property,
or for the provision of commercial services and bearing commercial plates shall be deemed a commercial vehicle.
(iii) Vehicles bearing commercial or equivalent registration plates from other states or countries shall not be deemed trucks or commercial vehicles unless they are permanently altered and marked as required in (i)(B) and (C) of this definition, above
Commercial vehicle parking in NYC
Can you park a commercial vehicle overnight in a residential neighborhood?
There are certain common practices that violate this rule:
- Putting down the rear seats of an SUV instead of removing the rear seats and fittings
- Attaching the name and address of the registered owner of the vehicle in lettering that is not permanently affixed
- Affixing lettering that is not at least 3 inches in height
- Placing the lettering too low or too high on the vehicle
- Choosing colors for the lettering that don’t contrast sufficiently with the color of the vehicle
- Only affixing the lettering on one side of the vehicle
Here are the seven special NYC parking rules for commercial vehicles
(1) Parking of unaltered commercial vehicles prohibited
No person shall stand or park a vehicle with commercial plates in any location unless it has been permanently altered with all seats and rear seat fittings, except the front seats, removed, except that for vehicles designed with a passenger cab and a cargo area separated by a partition, the seating capacity within the cab shall not be considered in determining whether the vehicle is properly altered, and has the name and address of the owner as shown on the registration certificate plainly marked on both sides of the vehicle in letters and numerals, not less than three inches in height, in compliance with §10127 of the Administrative Code and is also in compliance with paragraph (i) of the definition of a commercial vehicle as in §4-01 of these rules.
(2) No standing except trucks loading and unloading
Where a posted sign reads “No Standing Except Trucks Loading and Unloading,” no vehicle except a commercial vehicle or a service vehicle as defined in §4-01(b) of these rules, may stand or park in that area for the purpose of expeditiously making pickups, deliveries or service calls, and except that in the area from 35th St. to 41st St., Avenue of the Americas to 8th Avenue, inclusive, in the Borough of
Manhattan, between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., no vehicle except a truck as defined in §4-13(a)(1) of these rules may stand or park for the purpose of expeditiously making pickups,
deliveries or service calls.
(3) Angle standing or parking of commercial vehicles.
Commercial vehicles standing or parking in authorized areas shall not be placed at an angle to the curb unless such positioning is essential for loading or unloading and then only for such time actually required for such purposes provided that a sufficient space shall be left clear for the passage of a vehicle between the angle-parked vehicle and the center of the street, the opposite curb or a vehicle parked or standing then, whichever is closest. In no event shall an angle-parked vehicle occupy more than a parking lane, plus one traffic lane.
(4) Parking of trailers
(i) No person shall park any trailer or semi-trailer on any street or arterial highway, except while loading or unloading at off-street platforms, unless such trailer or semi-trailer is attached to a motor vehicle capable of towing it.
(ii) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (i) above, were posted signs permit, a trailer or semi-trailer may park while unattached to a motor vehicle capable of towing it on streets in the industrial zoned property as defined in the Zoning Resolution. Such trailers or semi-trailers may park for the length of time indicated on the posted signs. An owner of a trailer or semi-trailer parked pursuant to this provision shall protect the streets from damage that may be caused by parking the unattached trailer. All doors on such trailers or semi-trailers must be locked while the trailers are parked.
(5) Street storage of commercial vehicles prohibited
When parking is not otherwise restricted, no person shall park a commercial vehicle in any area, including a residential area, in excess of three hours.
(6) Nighttime parking of commercial vehicles prohibited
No person shall park a commercial vehicle on a residential street between the hours of 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. Where a commercial vehicle is parked in violation of this paragraph, it shall be an affirmative defense to the said violation, with the burden of proof on the person who received the summons, that he or she was actively engaged in business when the summons was issued at premises located within three city blocks of where the summons was issued. This paragraph shall not apply to vehicles owned or operated by gas or oil heat suppliers or gas or oil heat systems maintenance companies, the agents or employees thereof, or any public utility.
(7) Vehicles equipped with platform lifts
Commercial vehicles may not be parked on any city street with a platform lift set in a lowered position while the vehicle is unattended.
Commentary
These special seven NYC parking rules for commercial vehicles are just some of the parking rules and laws that apply solely to commercial vehicles. These confusing rules create uncertainty for business owners, who meet significant loss of revenue due to NYC parking tickets. Here are a few observations:
- How can a parking ticket warrior issue parking tickets for “unaltered vehicle” and “overnight parking” or “street storage?” If a vehicle is not properly altered, under the clear language of these rules, it is not considered a commercial vehicle. Therefore, if it is not a commercial vehicle, it doesn’t violate the other two rules listed above…right?! Fight it. We did and beat the parking ticket
- Make sure that the name you affix in 3-inch high lettering on both sides of your commercial vehicle is permanently attached.
- Have you ever been issued a parking ticket for parking your passenger van overnight in a residential neighborhood? Fight it! We did and won
There’s more, keep reading.
- What about your passenger van getting two parking tickets, one for “unaltered vehicle,” and the other for parking overnight in a residential neighborhood? If your van is properly registered as a passenger vehicle, fight ’em. We did and won.
- Why do the loading and unload parking sign display “trucks” and not commercial vehicles? Does the parking rule only let trucks or load or unload? The answer is no. The sign and rule permit legal parking for any commercial vehicle (including trucks) that are loading and unloading stuff. The parking sign didn’t have enough space to print, “commercial vehicles.” “Trucks” was much easier…Amazing.
- Learn the difference between trucks, passenger vehicles, and commercial vehicles
- Learn the parking rules that torment pick-up truck owners
Or, we should all move to Wyoming
In number six it states This paragraph shall not apply to vehicles owned or operated by gas or oil heat suppliers or gas or oil heat systems maintenance companies, the agents or employees thereof, or any public utility. If you own a heating and cooling company that does 24 hr repairs can you park that commercial van in front of your home.
Dear Denise,
Good morning.
You pose an excellent question.
My reading of these provisions is that paragraph 6 does not apply to “gas or oil heat suppliers or…maintenance companies.” Therefore, if this was the only rule that covered your vehicles, you would be able to park at night on a residential street.
But, the rule prohibiting the street storage of commercial vehicles also applies. Therefore, you would have to move your vehicle every 3 hours. Tough assignment. It reminds me of when I arose every 3 hours to feed or hold my children.
You also have to consider how you plan to prove you “moved your vehicle” on one parking space to another.
What are you going to do in light of these two rules that collide?
Best,
Larry
I have not yet found the proper description online of what is going on. Recently commercial activity has begun operations on my residential block creating a hazard on the Ave. Often a large box truck (sometimes a van) loads or unloads large quantities of soda to the house across the street. The truck usually double parks and it creates a hazard on the road by inhibiting vision and maneuvering on this short block. I don’t know if it’s illegal but it’s certainly a problem. Frankly I expect a car accident soon and it might even be mine because often the space it occupies is on the opposite side of my alley (across the street). This of course causes cars to drive on the wrong side of the road to go around it making unsafe for me to exit my alley. Also I have to maneuver around the truck as I back out of my alley.
I’m all for free enterprise but don’t they have zones for this?
Tony,
Good afternoon.
Commercial vehicles are permitted to make deliveries or service calls to residential neighborhoods. However, commercial vehicles cannot park in one parking space for more than 3 consecutive hours. Nor, can they double park in Midtown Monday-Saturday 7A-7P. Commercial vehicles can double park outside of Midtown, despite the inherent dangers.
That’s the story, Tony.
Regards,
Larry
Thanks for the prompt reply. I believe this situation falls outside the parameters of deliveries or service calls. The residence in question is not a customer but being used a storage facility for goods. And this is not a commercial zone but a residential block.
Tony,
Good morning.
It sounds like you may be standing at the intersection of two different sets of laws…Parking Laws and Zoning Laws.
A commercial vehicle may stop, stand or park in a residential neighborhood until 9P. At 9P the commercial vehicle turns into a cash cow for the Evil Empire.
In addition, a commercial vehicle is prohibited from remaining in the same parking space for more than 3 consecutive hours.
Zoning laws regulate life in residential neighborhoods. And, may prohibit commercial vehicles from stopping, standing or parking during the hours prior to 9P. Or, there may be other local laws dealing with commercial vehicles parking in residential neighborhoods. I might check with my community board.
Do the zoning laws permit a building/”home” in a residential zone to be used as a commercial storage facility? Is it a proper use for a home to operate as a commercial storage facility?
Good luck.
Regards,
Larry
My neighbor parks up to six taxis and limos on my block. It allows him to use the city blocks for his commercial vehicles . This takes away 5 to 6 spots and we are always scrounging around for our car to park .
How can this be legal?
These are commercial vehicles I residential area. What, if anything , can we do?
I got $250 ticket for overnight 9pm-9am parking, tractor trailer combination, on residential street in Bronx. I used to park commercial vehicle there before and never got a ticket until last week. Actually, I parked across the residential area on I-95 North service road where the big park is and where there is no signs of any parking restrictions. Is it worth fighting it?
Hi Alex,
Sorry about the overnight parking pain (The hours are 9P to 5A. Make sure the hours were entered correctly on the ticket_and they must be entered!).
I call overnight parking one of our “silent enemies.” No notice required.
I would check for omitted, misdescribed, or illegible required elements. If you find one or more, you win subject to presenting the proper proof, properly.
Regards,
Larry
My mothers neighbor parks his big box truck in his driveway. This in bedstuy/ocean hill bklyn on hull st. He owns the house/property. His house is part of a row of houses that are connected to each other. His box truck is extremely large and completely fills up the driveway. The driveway is located directly in the front portion of the house and it’s also gated. Is it legal for him to park his box truck in his driveway? The truck also has out of state plates.
Hi, Tom,
Good afternoon.
This link will help you.
http://www1.nyc.gov/nyc-resources/service/1418/commercial-vehicle-parked-in-residential-driveway
Regards,
Larry
Hi, Tom,
Good afternoon.
This link will help you.http://www1.nyc.gov/nyc-resources/service/1418/commercial-vehicle-parked-in-residential-driveway
Regards,
Larry
Hi I have a question:
My vehicle is a OMT work with Uber,
I got a ticket for standing at the commercial vehicle parking lot, when I was seat in my car. I see two different signs in the Street, one is show “others no standing any time ” but the other is doesn’t show it on the signs, so if I standing at the second sign section I still got the ticket.
Thank you!
Hi, Jian,
Sorry for your standing pain.
Here’s the scoop:
You are not permitted to wait in your car in any no standing zone unless you are actively engaged in picking up or discharging a passenger. And then, you must leave the area immediately.
The fact that one sign reads, “others no standing” and the other sign omits those words is not relevant if you were just waiting in your space, and not actively engaged as set forth above.
Regards,
Larry
Would you know if the 3 hour parking rule (Where you can’t be parked in one spot for 3 hours) applies on Sunday’s for a box truck that is rented from Enterprise that will have out of state license plate?
Hi Jeremy,
Good afternoon.
The 3-hour (street storage) rule applies to vehicles with commercial plates.
Regards,
Larry
I was on a job yesterday and parked my Commercial vehicle in a no marking M-F/8a-6p spot as I have done for the past 7 years in nyc. I got the normal ticket at 11:34 am and when I came out at 11:44am my vehicle was gone. It had been towed where I had to go pay 185 for the tow to get my vehicle back. If I beat the ticket in get the money back but my question is, can they tow a commercial vehicle for this after only 10 minutes? I’ve parked I these spots all day as well as double parked for hours and this is my first time being towed. It’s very discouraging to try and operate a legitimate business and follow the rules and then the city goes ahead and does what they want to screw you over even more! Thanks for your advice!
Hi, Jason,
I totally despise towing for tickets!
Technically, yes, they can tow your commercial vehicle. But, any reasonable Cop or Warrior wouldn’t call in a tow in such a short period of time.
Good luck.
Regards,
Larry
Hi. I have a Non-Commercial enclosed 12 foot box trailer. I’m on the upper ease side. Can I legally park this on the residential street. If so must it always be connected to my SUV. I’m confused by the parking laws because my trailer is registered non-commercial and I can only find info on commercial vehicles. Thank you.
Hi, Josh,
Good morning. Great question.
I did a little research about street storage of trailers and found this:
Parking of trailers
“No person shall park any trailer or semi-trailer on any street or arterial highway, except while loading or unloading at off-street platforms, unless such trailer or semi-trailer is attached to a motor vehicle capable of towing it. Notwithstanding these provisions, where posted signs permit, a trailer or semi-trailer may park while unattached to a motor vehicle capable of towing it on streets in industrial zoned property as defined in the Zoning Resolution. Such trailers or semi-trailers may park for the length of time indicated on the posted signs. An owner of a trailer or semi-trailer parked pursuant to this provision shall protect the streets from damage that may be caused by parking the unattached trailer. All doors located on such trailers or semi-trailers must be locked while the trailers are parked.”
Good luck.
Regards,
Larry
I’m a exterminator with a small
Nissan NV 200 with commercial plates I keep getting tickets every night .Am I allowed to park in city street since I am on 24 hour call??
Hi Tim,
Good afternoon.
Sorry to hear about your overnight parking pain.
What are the violation codes on the tickets? Are they for overnight parking or unaltered commercial vehicle?
Looking forward to your reply.
Regards,
Larry
Can you please clarify for me I live in New York and Brooklyn and it’s a commercial truck parked in front of the house 58 Boulevard with Connecticut commercial place I was just told by an officer he can’t put a summons on the truck because it’s registered in Connecticut is that because as I’m reading it says any vehicle with commercial plates it doesn’t distinguish out of state commercial plates thank you
Hi Treba,
Good afternoon.
Excellent question.
The answer is a tiny bit tricky. Likewise, there are a few rules to consider when a vehicle bears a commercial plate from an other state.
First, here’s the definition of “commercial vehicle.”
Second, was the vehicle permanently altered? If not, it is not a commercial vehicle for parking purposes.
Next, if the vehicle had commercial plates and was not permanently altered, the cop should have issued a ticket for 4-08(k)(1), “unaltered commercial vehicle.”
Further, if the vehicle had commercial plates, and was permanently altered, it would be allowed to park in a residential neighborhood (unless otherwise restricted by sign or zoning law):
-For up to three consecutive hours, or
-Prior to 9 pm and after 5 am.
However, the fact that a vehicle bears out of state commercial plates is only the threshold inquiry. That reason alone was not correct.
Good luck, Treba.
Regards,
Larry