Be Aware of Rising Parking Fines

Parking garages in NYC

Parking in New York City can often be a gamble. There are many rules, and each street has its own set of rules, so it’s common to come back to your car with a parking ticket. Parking fines have recently increased. The best way to avoid parking tickets altogether is to use parking garages in NYC. When you park in one of our lots, you don’t have to worry about dealing with fines.

One rule in New York City regarding parking is alternate side parking. At certain times of a specific day, no one can park on the side of the street for cleaning. If you park your car during this time, expect to come back to a steep fine. This year the penalties for alternate side parking went up to $65. This is a citywide rule stipulated by the NYC Department of Sanitation, and it includes all five boroughs.

Below are tips to keep in mind when it comes to alternate side parking:

Do not double park on the legal side of the street

There is a 5-minute grace period before ticketing begins. A parking enforcement officer begins issuing tickets 5 minutes after the grace period.

No standing also applies. Do not sit behind the wheel, waiting for the sweeper to pass.

Please don’t risk it. If you’re finding it challenging to get parking during alternate side parking, use a parking lot. No one wants to get a $65 fine.

Car storage NYC

If you need to leave your car in NYC long term, give us a call. We specialize in car storage NYC.

Parking in New York City comes with many rules. There are alternate side parking rules and meters on almost every street. Each block comes with its own set of rules. One area that has specific rules is a school zone.

If you’re thinking about parking in a school zone, you’ll want to avoid getting any tickets. There are things you’ll need to keep in mind.

The only time one can park in a school zone is while school is in recess. However, it’s not always easy to know when school is out. You would think the summers or holidays are safe bets. Unfortunately, there are times when certain activities are held, or professional development is occurring in the school. If teachers are present, even with students at home, parking is suspended.

If you’re thinking about parking in a school zone, we suggest contacting the school to ensure it’s legal. Call 311 and request the “Find a School” service. Once you talk with the school, ask if any activities or meetings are happening that day.

What about double parking? Only double park in a school zone during an emergency pickup. If you’re called to pick up a student during a medical emergency, you may be able to fight a ticket for double parking.

Car Storage NYC

The best way to avoid dealing with parking tickets is to utilize parking garages in NYC. Using one of our lots ensures your car is safely secured, and you won’t come back to a ticket. We also specialize in car storage NYC for long term parking.

Are you familiar with all the ins-and-outs of NYC parking regulations and car storage NYC? If you answered no to this question, you could potentially get a parking ticket or have your vehicle towed. The city needs the money brought in from parking violations, and that is one argument why rules are extensive, convoluted, and sometimes contradictory. Learning about the specifics of parking regulations will protect your wallet and car.

If you want to avoid becoming an expert on NYC parking regulations,  you can use the best car storage NYC has to offer. Our lots and garages are located throughout the city, and when you park at our establishment, you never have to worry about tickets or getting towed. Your car will be exactly where you left it when you return.

The DOT (Department of Transportation) has designated all of New York City as a Tow Away Zone (legal under New York State’s Vehicle and Traffic Law). Considering this designation, a car can be legally towed for a multitude of reasons that include:

• Parking violations
• Moving violations
• Missing/expired registration
• Missing inspection stickers
• Stopping in a No Standing Anytime zone
• Double parking
• Parking close to a fire hydrant

Car Storage NYC

Regardless of the reason for illegal parking, the city will find you and punish you. The amount of parking violations that result in getting towed are extensive. Even when being mindful, meaning reading and understanding parking regulations, it is common for people to get tickets and towed. We are only human, and humans make mistakes. The DOT has created a website explaining their signage because many of the signs are confusing and contradict each other.

It’s a Friday night and your concert on 34^th Street and 7^th  Avenue starts in ten minutes. You left your house early to compensate for traffic, and you thought you were doing well on time until it was time to park. Circling the block, you watch your time run out and realize you made a terrible mistake. Has a situation like this happened to you? You needed to find a parking spot in the city but couldn’t?

A recent study conducted by the INRIX Research Group combined survey results from roughly 6,000 drivers (ten states) with the largest parking database available. Their goal was to reveal the real cost of parking on drivers. They claim that, on average, Americans spend upwards of 17 hours a year searching for a legal parking spot. They estimate that time costs an average person $345 in wasted fuel and emission, not to mention a waste of time.

Numbers do fluctuate depending on which city a person is trying to park in. Of the ten cities that were surveyed, New York City was estimated to be the worst for wasting time and money. New York City drivers spend fifteen minutes per trip trying to find an on-street spot. Detroit clocked in at six minutes, and Dallas took drivers eight minutes to park.

If you live in the city or commute daily for work, you should consider a monthly parking spot. The best car storage NYC has prevented waste time. The money saved parking in a private lot is usually more than the money lost while looking for a parking spot. Manhattan is notorious for giving out tickets and towing cars, which also tends to cost an arm and a leg.

Save time, save money, and stay sane. Do not waste any more time circling blocks, wasting gas, and pulling out your hair.