Who issues parking tickets and directs traffic?

Traffic enforcement agents are employees of the Police Department. If you have any questions about police policies or procedures in enforcing traffic regulations or issuing tickets, contact the Police Department.

How do I pay or appeal a parking ticket?

Parking tickets are adjudicated by the Parking Violations unit of the Department of Finance. Read the instructions on the back of the ticket for information on how to pay or on how to file an appeal.

What do I do if my car has been towed?

Tow pounds are operated by the Police Department.
Learn how to retrieve a towed vehicle from the Police Department

Can I park at a broken meter or at a space where the meter is missing?

If a single space meter is broken or missing, you can park for the maximum amount of time posted on the signs. When a Muni-Meter is out-of-order, you must purchase a parking receipt from another Muni-Meter on the same block or within the same Municipal Lot. If all of the Muni-Meters on a block are broken or missing, New York City law permits motorists to park for the posted maximum parking time.

I received a ticket at a broken parking meter. How can I get the ticket dismissed and report the meter for repair?

Report the broken meter at 311 Online or by calling 311. DOT field inspectors will make any necessary repairs, and the information will be entered into our computerized system. Follow the instructions on the back of the summons for filing an appeal with the Department of Finance Parking Violations unit, which adjudicates summonses. The Parking Violations unit will check our computer system to verify that the parking meter was broken.

How do I apply for a long-term parking permit at a municipal garage or parking lot?

Call 311.

What are Muni-Meters?

They are meters that control many spaces. They are larger than the regular (single space) meters and they accept quarters, dollar coins and Parking Cards. They are in all off-street parking fields, most street blocks in mid-town Manhattan, and other areas throughout the city. Easy to follow instructions on how to use the Muni-Meter are posted on the machine.

How do I use the muni-meters or single space meters?

See information on how to use both "Pay and Display," "Pay and Retain," and "Single Space" meters.

What is a NYC Parking Card?

This is a pre-paid card that can be used to pay for parking. Insert the card in the meter and deduct the amount you need to pay for parking. Every time you use the Parking Card, your new balance will be displayed. You can use the card until the original value purchased is exhausted.

What NYC Parking Card denominations are available?

The cards are available in $20, $50 and $100 denominations.

Where can the NYC Parking Card be used?

The cards can be used in all municipal fields, all Muni-Meter machines and in some electronic single space meters in Brooklyn, Queens, and Manhattan.

How can I buy a Parking Card?

Order cards online and pay by credit card. Your order will be processed and the card(s) will be mailed to you.

Order cards by mail with this order form. Submit the application to the address on the form. Your card(s) will be mailed to you.

Order by phone by calling (718) 786-7042.

Cards are available at the Staten Island Ferry Terminal from four dispensing machines, accessible 24 hours.

You can buy cards from the NYC CityStore at 1 Centre Street in lower Manhattan.

How long does the NYC Parking Card last?

Parking Cards do not expire and they are valid until the card balance is exhausted. Cards can be damaged if mistreated. Avoid exposure to high temperatures (leaving the card on the dashboard under a hot sun) and keep cards dry. Do not bend the card, peel away the protective coating or scratch the card chip with sharp objects. Cards are valuable; treat your card as you would treat your cash.

Can I get a refund if my NYC Parking Card is lost, stolen or damaged?

The City of New York is not responsible for lost, stolen or damaged cards. Each Parking Card is thoroughly tested to ensure that it is operational and the dollar amount accurate before it is issued.

What can I do if the remaining balance on my NYC Parking Card is less than what I need for parking?

When a Parking Card has a remaining value lower than what is needed for parking, the card value can be combined with cash for any transaction by following these steps:

• Insert card into machine
• Press blue button to deduct payment from card until it is fully used
• Leave card in the machine
• Insert as many coins as needed to purchase the full amount of parking desired
• Press Green button for receipt
• At a pay-and-display facility, display receipt on dashboard

Please have the card and the needed coins ready at the beginning of the transaction. If more than the allowed time passes between the card payment and the coin insertion, the payment will not be combined.

What is the difference between Pay-and-Display and Pay-and-Retain?

After you pay for parking, Muni-Meter machines will issue a receipt indicating the time purchased to park at that location. In Pay-and-Display facilities, display the receipt on your vehicle’s dashboard, so that enforcement officers will easily be able to see the parking expiration time. In Pay-and-Retain facilities, officers retrieve data directly from the machines, so that you should retain the receipt as proof of payment as well as a reminder of when you need to return.

My Parking Card is not working. What can I do?

Infrequently, grease or other materials can interfere with the communication between the card and the machine. If this should occur, clean the gold colored chip that is embedded in your Parking Card, and try again. If that doesn’t work, try a different machine. If you are still having problems, call (718) 786-7042 or (718) 786-6334 for assistance.

What do I do if the meter is not working?

To report a broken meter, please call 311. If you are parked on a street that uses Muni-Meters, please use another meter to obtain your receipt.

What do I do with my NYC Parking Card after it is used? Can it be refilled?

Cards can not be refilled at this time. Dispose of these cards properly in trash receptacles.

Can I speak to someone about Parking Cards?

Personnel are available during standard business hours to discuss Parking Card issues, and may be contacted by calling (718) 786-7042 or (718) 786-6334. If you are transferred to voice mail, please leave a message and your call will be returned.

Do I have to pay at parking meters on Sundays?

Parking meters and muni-meters do not have to be paid on Sundays. Motorists must still obey parking rules that are in effect on Sundays or "anytime".

Can I Use Credit Cards in Parking Meters?

DOT accepts credit cards at over 500 muni-meters in the midtown Theater District of Manhattan. In this area, Third Ave to Eighth Ave from 57th to 43rd Streets you can now use your Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover cards to pay for parking without an additional fee or minimum. These meters will continue to accept payment by quarter, dollar coin or NYC Parking Card. Look for the credit card logo on the meters in this area for acceptance. More Muni-Meters that accept credit cards are being added.
Learn more

Alternate Side Parking (Street Cleaning Rules)

Most Alternate Side parking signs are clearly marked with the "P" symbol with the broom through it. Some signs are the traditional 3-hour ones (8am to 11am etc.) but others vary considerably.

Some metered parking zones have alternate side parking rules. When alternate side parking is suspended for a holiday or other reason, the parking meters remain in effect. There are some holidays where parking meters are suspended.
Check the alternate side parking calendar to learn more.

General Parking Rules

All of New York City is a designated Tow Away Zone under the State’s Vehicle and Traffic Law. This means that any vehicle parked or operated illegally, or with missing or expired registration or inspection stickers, may be towed. On major legal holidays stopping, standing and parking are permitted except in areas where stopping, standing and parking rules are in effect seven days a week (for example, "No Standing Anytime").

Double parking of passenger vehicles is illegal at all times, including Alternate Side Parking Regulation days, regardless of location, purpose or duration.

It is illegal to park within 15 feet of either side of a fire hydrant. The painted curbs at hydrant locations do not indicate where you can park.

An occupied illegally parked vehicle causes the same safety hazard and congestion as an unoccupied vehicle. Exercise responsibility, park legally.

Parking in School Zones

Parking is allowed in school zones when school is in recess. However, motorists should be aware that specific schools may be open on holidays and during summer vacations, and parking restrictions would remain in effect. If schools have summer sessions or are open for teacher meetings or similar activities, even if students are not attending, the parking regulations apply on such days. Individuals should contact specific schools to verify that they are in recess. To contact an individual school, call 311 and ask for the "Find a School" service; they will provide you with 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.

Rules on Sundays

There are no parking meters in effect on Sundays in New York City. There are also no alternate side parking regulations in effect on Sundays, but drivers must still obey any parking sign that specifically states that a regulation is in effect on Sundays or "anytime.".

Signs

If there is more than one sign posted for the same area, the more restrictive one is the one in effect. If a sign is missing on a block, the remaining posted regulations are the ones that are in effect. Please check the entire block and read all signs carefully before you park.