Regulations & Violations

NYS Parking Regulations (from both the NYS Vehicle and Traffic Law & the NYS Driver's Manual)

  • A no parking sign means you may only stop temporarily to load or unload merchandise or passengers.
  • A no standing sign means you may only stop temporarily to load or unload passengers.
  • A no stopping sign means you may not stop at all unless you are obeying a traffic sign, signal or officer, or to avoid conflicts with other vehicles.

Other Violations Not Indicated by Posted Signs

Parking, standing or stopping is not allowed:

  • Within 15 feet of a fire hydrant, unless a licensed driver remains in the vehicle behind the wheel, to move it in an emergency.
  • On the road side of a parked vehicle - double parking.
  • On a sidewalk or in a crosswalk. (Note: a crosswalk does not have to be indicated by painted lines.)
  • In an intersection, unless permitted by signs or parking meters.
  • On railroad tracks.
  • Alongside or opposite road excavations, constructions or other obstructions.
  • Within 30 feet of a pedestrian safety zone, unless another distance is marked.
  • On a bridge or in a tunnel.

Parking or standing is not allowed:

  • In front of a driveway, public or private (including your own!).
  • Within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection.
  • Within 30 feet of a traffic light, stop sign or yield sign.
  • Within 20 feet of a fire station driveway, or within 75 feet on the opposite side of the road from the fire station driveway.
  • Along a curb which has been cut down, lowered or constructed for access to the sidewalk.

In addition, you may not park your vehicle within 50 feet of a railroad crossing.

License plates must be properly affixed, front and rear, and shall be kept clean and easily readable, and shall not be covered by glass or plastic material, and their view shall not be obstructed.

Reserved Parking for the Disabled

It is illegal to park, stop or stand a vehicle in a space designated for handicapped parking unless you have handicapped license plates issued by the DMV, a special handicapped permit issued by a locality or a similar plate or permit issued by another state. You may never park in the access aisles alongside the handicap spaces, whether or not you have a handicapped permit or plate. The access aisles are to allow wheelchair access only. In addition, when parking in a designated handicapped space, the vehicle must actually be in use to transport the disabled person. This law applies to all on street and off street parking, public and private.