Clergy Parking Permits

NYC offers an annual parking permit for houses of worship, as defined in the New York City Traffic Rules section 4-08(o)(5). The Clergy Parking Permit allows eligible clergy to park in No Parking areas on the roadway adjacent to their houses of worship, funeral homes, and hospitals when conducting ministerial duties.

Eligibility

A house of worship is a building used as a meeting place for worship by members and classified as Occupancy Group F-1(b) by the New York City Department of Buildings.

To be eligible for a Clergy Parking Permit, the house of worship must be located within the five boroughs of New York City.

Type of Vehicles Allowed

The license plates of up to three passenger cars owned or leased by members of the clergy, religious corporation or association may be listed on a Clergy Parking Permit. A passenger car can be equipped to carry no more than 15 people, including the driver.

Permits will not be issued for any vehicles that have unresolved violations with the New York City Department of Finance.

Using the Clergy Parking Permit

The Clergy Parking Permit is a rectangular placard. Display your permit in full view on the driver's side of the dashboard.

The Clergy Parking Permit allows clergypersons to park in No Parking zones while performing official duties for:

• Up to five hours adjacent to a house of worship
• Up to four hours adjacent to a funeral home or morgue
• Up to three hours adjacent to a hospital

Apply for a Clergy Parking Permit

To apply for a Clergy Parking Permit, the religious corporation or association on whose behalf the clergyperson officiates must apply with the required accompanying documentation.

To qualify, a clergyperson must work an average of at least 20 hours per week performing official duties.

Apply online and provide all required documents. Applications are processed within 15 business days.

» Clergy Parking Permit Online Application

If you have questions about your permit or application, email clergypermit@dot.nyc.gov.

Required Documents

Documentation must verify the house of worship's status as a religious corporation and that its location is used for religious services.

Clergypersons whose license plate numbers will appear on the permit must submit documentation via the online application regarding vehicle information and employment status.

• NYS Certificate of Incorporation or Letter from the U.S. Department of Treasury IRS establishing the house of worship as tax-exempt
• House of worship deed or lease
• Certificate of Occupancy
• Driver's license for each clergyperson assigned to the permit
• Vehicle registration or lease agreement
• Proof of insurance for each vehicle that will be covered by the permit
• Ordination Certificate for each clergyperson with a notarized translation if not in English
• Notarized letter from each clergyperson stating the number of hours worked weekly

Renewing a Clergy Parking Permit

Clergy Parking Permits expire one year after being issued. Approximately 60 days before your permit expires, NYC DOT will send you an email with renewal instructions. You will be required to submit the online renewal application, current vehicle registration(s), driver's license for each cleric to be assigned to the permit, and insurance card for each vehicle that will be covered by the permit.

Changing or Adding Vehicles

To add a new vehicle or change a vehicle covered by the Clergy Parking Permit, send a written request on official letterhead to NYC DOT. The request must include:

• The original permit
• A copy of the vehicle registration for each new vehicle
• A copy of the insurance card for each new vehicle

Mail the written request and required documents to:

New York City Department of Transportation
Permits and Customer Service
30-30 Thomson Avenue, 2nd Floor
Long Island City, NY 11101-3045

Wrongful Summons

You may appear at an NYC Department of Finance Business Center for a hearing and present the summons, your valid permit, and an oral statement in your defense. You may also mail the summons, a copy of your permit, and a written statement of defense to:

New York City Department of Finance
Parking Violation Advocacy Unit
66 John Street, 3rd Floor
New York, NY 10038

Lost or Stolen Clergy Parking Permits

If your Clergy Parking Permit is lost or stolen, you must:

• Report the loss or theft of the permit at the precinct nearest to the location where the incident occurred
• Obtain a police report that includes the lost or stolen permit number and complaint number
• Email clergypermit@dot.nyc.gov to request a Lost, Stolen, or Never Received Permit Form
• Return the completed Lost, Stolen, or Never Received Permit Form with a copy of the police report to NYC DOT at the address listed on the form