Where You May Not Park
Veh. & Traf. Law § 1202 — the places a vehicle may not stop, stand or park, and the distances in feet
Three verbs, three lists. The section sorts places by what is barred there. In some, a vehicle may not stop, stand or park at all. In others, it may not stand or park except momentarily to pick up or discharge a passenger. In the last, it may not park except while actually loading or unloading. The difference is how long the stop lasts and why.
- On the roadway side of a vehicle stopped, standing or parked at the curb.
- On a sidewalk, or on a crosswalk.
- Within an intersection, except where official signs or meters permit it opposite a street that meets but does not cross the highway.
- Between a safety zone and the curb, or within 30 feet of points on the curb opposite its ends, unless signs, markings or meters show a different distance.
- Alongside or opposite an excavation or obstruction, where stopping would obstruct traffic.
- On a bridge, elevated structure or highway tunnel, unless signs, markings or meters indicate otherwise.
- On railroad tracks.
- Between the roadways of a divided highway, including crossovers, or on a state expressway or interstate route, except in an emergency.
- In a space designated for charging an electric vehicle, unless the vehicle is an electric vehicle connected to the station; one disconnected for no more than 30 continuous minutes is not in violation.
| The place | The distance |
|---|---|
| The placeIn front of a public or private driveway | The distanceNo standing or parking, except momentarily for a passenger |
| The placeA fire hydrant | The distance15 feet, unless a licensed operator seated in the front seat can immediately move the vehicle |
| The placeA crosswalk at an intersection | The distance20 feet |
| The placeA flashing signal, stop or yield sign, or traffic control signal at the side of the roadway, on the approach | The distance30 feet |
| The placeThe driveway entrance to a fire station | The distance20 feet, and 75 feet on the opposite side when signposted |
| The placeA curb cut down or built for access to the sidewalk | The distanceNo standing or parking alongside or obstructing it |
| The placeThe nearest rail of a railroad crossing | The distance50 feet, no parking except while loading or unloading |
Posted distances govern. Most of the distances give way where official signs, markings or parking meters indicate a different one. And no person moves a vehicle not lawfully under their control into a prohibited area, or away from a curb an unlawful distance.
Cities, counties and posted signs set their own parking limits on top of these, and those are not on this page. What a particular ticket means is a question for a licensed New York attorney.
Sources for this section (1)
- Veh. & Traf. Law § 1202 — Stopping, standing or parking prohibited in specified places
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed New York attorney.