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Adjudication Division
We want to make sure you understand the rules and that at the end of
your hearing you feel that you were treated fairly and well. This guide
will help you if you decide to challenge your ticket. It provides
information that will help you present the best case possible. We describe
common defenses to most violations and what evidence is needed to
support the defense you’re claiming.
We believe that if you know what’s needed, you will better understand
how our judges arrive at their decisions and will therefore better
understand the parking ticket adjudication process.
We hope you find this brochure informative and helpful. Please visit our
website, at nyc.gov/finance, to let us know what we can do to serve you
better. We welcome your feedback.
> Table of Contents
NO STOPPING
Fire Hydrant Code - 40 9
Crosswalk Code - 50 10
Sidewalk Code - 51 10
Pedestrian Ramp Code - 67 11
No Parking – Except Handicap Plates/Permits Code - 27 6
Medical Emergency 13
GENERAL DEFENSES Location Does Not Exist 13
Disabled Vehicle 13
Authorized Vehicle 13
Lost/Stolen Plates and/or Registration Items 13
Stolen Vehicle 13
Sold/Transferred Vehicle 13
Code -14 • There was no sign anywhere on Where the sign is missing, incorrectly
No Standing-Anytime the block. stated or conflicts with neighboring
signs, you may submit overlapping
Remember • The agent described the wrong photographs that show:
• Only one sign is needed to cover sign on the violation.
an entire block, even if it is posted • The entire block, corner to corner,
far away from the parked vehicle. • The officer wrote the wrong including the address where the
violation on the summons. vehicle was parked, and
• A parking zone begins at the
posted sign and continues in the • I had a permit to park in this zone. • All signs front and back, and
direction of the arrow to the next
posted sign or to the corner of • The spot where the vehicle was • The signs indicating the
the block. parked has conflicting regulations. street name.
• Painted yellow lines or other • I was dropping off or picking Where the permit holder has the
markings are not an indication of up a passenger. correct authorization (permit or
the regulated zone. plates for the zone), you may submit
• I was not parked in violation of the copies of your permit or registration.
posted sign.
Code -17 • I had a permit to park in this zone. Where the permit holder has the
No Standing - Except correct authorization (permit or
Authorized Vehicle • There was no sign anywhere on plates for the zone), you may submit
the block. copies of your permit or registration.
Code -24
No Parking-Except
Authorized Vehicle
• The agent described the wrong Where the sign is missing, incorrectly
sign on the violation. stated or conflicts with neighboring
signs, you may submit overlapping
Remember
• The officer wrote the wrong photographs that show:
• Only one sign is needed to cover violation on the summons.
an entire block, even if it is posted
far away from the parked vehicle.
• The entire block, corner to corner,
• The spot where the vehicle was including the address where the
parked has conflicting regulations. vehicle was parked, and
• A parking zone begins at the posted
sign and continues in the direction • I was dropping off or picking • All signs front and back, and
of the arrow to the next posted up a passenger.
sign or to the corner of the block. • The signs indicating the
• I was not parked in violation of the street name.
• In a no parking zone you can posted sign.
unload items to the curb only.
Code -19 • There was no sign anywhere on Where the sign is missing, incorrectly
No Standing-Bus Stop the block. stated or conflicts with neighboring
signs, you may submit overlapping
Remember • The agent described the wrong photographs that show:
• Only one sign is needed to cover sign on the violation.
an entire block, even if it is posted • The entire block, corner to corner,
far away from the parked vehicle. • The officer wrote the wrong including the address where the
violation on the summons. vehicle was parked, and
• A parking zone begins at the posted
sign and continues in the direction • The spot where the vehicle was • All signs front and back, and
of the arrow to the next posted parked has conflicting regulations.
sign or to the corner of the block. • The signs indicating the
• I was dropping off or picking up street name.
• Painted yellow lines or other a passenger.
markings are not an indication of
the regulated zone. • I was not parked in violation of the
posted sign.
Code -20 • There was no sign anywhere on Where the sign is missing, incorrectly
No Parking-Anytime the block. stated or conflicts with neighboring
signs, you may submit overlapping
Remember • The agent described the wrong photographs that show:
• Only one sign is needed to cover sign on the violation.
an entire block, even if it is posted • The entire block, corner to corner,
far away from the parked vehicle. • The officer wrote the wrong including the address where the
violation on the summons. vehicle was parked, and
• A parking zone begins at the
posted sign and continues in the • I had a permit to park in this zone. • All signs front and back, and
direction of the arrow to the next
posted sign or to the corner of • The spot where the vehicle was • The signs indicating the
the block. parked has conflicting regulations. street name.
• Painted yellow lines or other • I was dropping off or picking up Where the permit holder has the
markings are not an indication of a passenger. correct authorization (permit or
the regulated zone. plates for the zone), you may
• I was not parked in violation of the submit copies of your permit
posted sign. or registration.
Code -21 • There was no sign anywhere on Where the sign is missing, incorrectly
No Parking-SCR (Street the block. stated or conflicts with neighboring
Cleaning Regulation) signs, you may submit overlapping
• The agent described the wrong photographs that show:
Remember sign on the violation.
• Only one sign is needed to cover • The entire block, corner to corner,
an entire block, even if it is posted • The officer wrote the wrong including the address where the
far away from the parked vehicle. violation on the summons. vehicle was parked, and
• A parking zone begins at the posted • I had a permit to park in this zone. • All signs front and back, and
sign and continues in the direction
of the arrow to the next posted • The spot where the vehicle was • The signs indicating the
sign or to the corner of the block. parked has conflicting regulations. street name.
• Painted yellow lines or other • I was dropping off or picking up Where the permit holder has the
markings are not an indication of a passenger. correct authorization (permit or plates
the regulated zone. for the zone), you may submit copies
• I was not parked in violation of the of your permit or registration.
• You cannot park in violation of the posted sign.
posted sign even if the street has
already been cleaned.
Also, see General Defenses.
Code -27 • I had a handicap permit or Where the sign is missing, incorrectly
No Parking-Except handicap plates on my car. stated or conflicts with neighboring
Handicap Plates/Permits signs, you may submit overlapping
• I was not parked in violation photographs that show:
Remember of blue handicap markings or a
• Handicap zones are marked with handicap sign. • The entire block, corner to corner,
blue markings or a sign. A vehicle including the address where the
may not park in this zone without • The agent described the wrong vehicle was parked, and
the proper permit or plates, even sign on the violation.
if the operator or a passenger is a • All signs front and back, and
disabled person. • The spot where the vehicle was
parked has conflicting regulations. • The signs indicating the
• The handicap parking zone begins street name.
at the posted sign (or pavement • I was dropping off or picking up
markings) and continues in the a passenger.
direction of the arrow to the next
posted sign or blue markings.
Code -34 • The meter was broken or fast. Broken or Fast Meter-This
Expired Meter summons should be submitted to
• Meter rules were not in effect on the Department of Finance for
Remember the day I parked my car. verification that the meter was not
• There is no grace period permitted working properly. If the meter was
to obtain change to activate the • There is no meter where the malfunctioning, the violation will
meter. A meter or muni-meter vehicle was parked. be dismissed and you will receive
system must be activated notification. If the report shows no
upon arrival. • There was no sign anywhere on record of a meter malfunction, your
the block about meter regulations. summons will be submitted for
• When two or more vehicles fit into a hearing.
one metered space, then all vehicles • There was no meter on the block. In addition to a written statement,
in the metered space are required you may also submit:
to activate the meter. • I had a permit to park in this zone.
• A photo of the meter showing it
• was damaged, and/or
• Only one sign is needed to cover The spot where the vehicle was
an entire block, even if the sign parked has conflicting regulations. • Statements of witnesses and/or
is posted far away from the other documents to support your
parked vehicle. • I was dropping off or picking up claim that the meter was fast
a passenger. or broken.
• A parking zone begins at the posted Missing Meter - If there was no
sign and continues in the direction meter at the location where the
of the arrow to the next posted vehicle was parked, you may submit
sign or to the corner of the block. photographs that show:
• The address where the vehicle was
cited, and
• Signs displaying the street
name, and
• Photos showing that the meters
were missing from the block.
Where there are no signs regulating
meters, the meter sign is missing,
incorrectly stated or conflicts with
neighboring signs, you may submit
overlapping photographs that show:
• The entire block, corner to corner,
including the address where the
vehicle was parked, and
• All signs front and back, and
• The signs indicating the
street name.
Where the permit holder has the
correct authorization (permit or
plates for the zone), you may submit
copies of your permit or registration.
Also, see General Defenses.
Code -32 • There is no meter where the The Traffic Rules allow parking at a
Overtime Parking at a vehicle was parked. broken meter for a period not to
Broken/Missing Meter exceed one hour. You can park in a
• There was no sign anywhere on missing meter space for a period of
Remember the block about meter regulations. time not to exceed the amount of
• Only one sign is needed to cover time posted at the location.
an entire block, even if the sign • I had a permit to park in this zone.
is posted far away from the You may submit witness statements
parked vehicle. • The spot where the vehicle was or other documents to support your
parked has conflicting regulations. defense that you left the space and
• A parking zone begins at the posted returned at a later point in time.
sign and continues in the direction • I was dropping off or picking up
of the arrow to the next posted a passenger. Where the sign is missing, incorrectly
sign or to the corner of the block. stated or conflicts with neighboring
• I was not parked in violation of signs, you may submit overlapping
• Painted yellow lines or other the posted sign. photographs that show:
markings are not an indication of
the regulated zone. • I left the space and came back • The entire block, corner to corner,
later to park in the same space. including the address where the
• When two or more vehicles fit into vehicle was parked, and
one metered space, then all vehicles
in the metered space are required • All signs front and back, and
to activate the meter.
• The signs indicating the
street name.
Code -40 • There is no fire hydrant at the When there is no fire hydrant at
Fire Hydrant location where the vehicle the location where the vehicle was
was parked. parked, you may submit overlapping
Remember photographs that show:
• Vehicles may not park within fifteen • I was not parked within fifteen
• The entire block, corner to corner,
feet of a hydrant, even if it is broken. feet of a fire hydrant. including the address where the
vehicle was parked, and
• Painted yellow lines or other • I was dropping off or picking up
markings are not an indication of a passenger. • All signs front and back, and
the regulated zone. • The signs indicating the
street name.
Also, see General Defenses.
Code -46 • I was not double parked. • You may submit a statement
Double Parking explaining the way the vehicle
• I was dropping off or picking up was parked.
Remember a passenger.
• Street Cleaning-Passenger plated • You may also submit witness
vehicles are not permitted to statements about the way the
double park in NYC on street vehicle was parked.
cleaning days.
Code -50 • There is no crosswalk at the You may submit overlapping photo-
Crosswalk location where the vehicle graphs that show:
was parked. • The entire block, corner to corner,
Remember
including the address where the
• A crosswalk may have painted • I was not parked in the crosswalk. vehicle was parked, and
lines. In the absence of painted
lines, the crosswalk is the area at • All signs front and back, and
an intersection within the
extensions of the sidewalk lines, • The signs indicating the street name.
between opposite sides of
You may submit your own
the roadway.
statement and/or witness
statements explaining the way the
• No part of a vehicle may be parked
vehicle was parked.
within a crosswalk.
Also, see General Defenses.
Code -51 • I was not parked on a sidewalk. You may submit your own
Sidewalk statement and/or witness
statements explaining the way the
Remember vehicle was parked.
• No part of a vehicle may be parked
on a sidewalk.
Code -70 • The registration sticker was not You may submit:
Registration Sticker is expired (or missing).
Missing/Expired • A copy of your registration receipt
• I have a valid to show that the registration sticker
Remember temporary registration. affixed to the windshield is a valid
• A valid registration sticker must be registration, or
properly affixed to the vehicle • I have a valid temporary plate.
windshield. Therefore, stickers • A copy of the vehicle’s temporary
sitting on the dashboard, in the registration, or
glove box, at home, in the mail,
etc. do not comply with the • A copy of the temporary plate to
legal requirement. support your defense that the
vehicle displayed a valid temporary
• The registrant of the vehicle is registration and plate.
responsible for the vehicle’s
registration, inspection and plates
even if there is a delay in obtaining
the items from the NYS
Department of Motor Vehicles or
the US Postal Service.
Code -71 • The inspection sticker was not You may submit:
Inspection Sticker is expired (or missing).
Missing/Expired • A copy of your inspection receipt
• I have a valid temporary to show that the inspection sticker
Remember inspection receipt. affixed to the windshield is a
• A current inspection sticker must current valid inspection sticker, or
be affixed to the vehicle. Therefore, • I have a valid temporary plate.
stickers and/or plates sitting on • A copy of the vehicle’s temporary
the dashboard, in the glove box, inspection receipt, or
etc. do not comply with the legal
requirement. • A copy of the temporary plate to
support your defense that the
• After a summons is issued, there vehicle displayed a valid temporary
is no grace period to obtain a new registration and plate.
valid inspection.
Code -74 • Both my plates were properly You may submit a statement of
Missing or Improperly attached to the vehicle. explanation and/or witness
Displayed Plates statements about the proper
Remember
• Only the rear plate is required to placement of the plates on the
be attached to the vehicle. vehicle. You may also submit a copy
• For NYS registrations, both plates of your registration stating that
must be attached, one on the front only the rear plate is required to be
and one on the rear of the vehicle. attached to the vehicle.
They must be securely fastened so
as to prevent them from swinging,
and they should be placed,
whenever reasonably possible, no
higher than 48 inches and no lower
than 12 inches from the ground.
Evidence can include, but is not limited to: testimony, photographs, repair bills, police reports,
Department of Motor Vehicles or insurance company reports, and towing bills. Please be certain
to keep copies of everything that you send to the Department of Finance for your own records.
Mail your request to: