Alternate Side Suspended, Meters In Effect – Or are they?

Have you ever received a ticket for parking at one of those metered spots on the side streets, just off commercial strips, on days that alternate side parking rules are suspended yet meters are supposed to be in effect? If you did, it was probably for not displaying a paid receipt, and the fine was $35. Except – you should not have gotten a ticket, and you can and should get it dismissed.

Just since January 1, alternate side parking has been suspended 11 times to facilitate snow removal. Councilmember Chaim Deutsch, who represents Sheepshead Bay and bits of surrounding areas, was curious as to what happens to those who park in these metered spots during alternate side parking hours when alternate side parking is suspended, so he decided to check on one such location in his district.

Within 10 minutes, he saw a ticket being issued for not displaying metered receipt, leaving him to ponder how many were being issued citywide for such infractions. Such data is not easily available either, his office says, as it is hard to separate out such locations in the dataset.

The problem is that parking ticket machines do not issue metered receipts during the hours alternate side parking is in effect on those blocks. It turns out, it is not possible to remotely reprogram them to allow metered parking when alternate side is suspended, and you are actually legally allowed to park in those spots.

“When I brought this issue to their attention, the City agencies involved responded swiftly in agreeing to dismiss the violations,” Councilmember said. ” I’m glad that I was able to secure this resolution, and I hope this will resolve the matter once and for all.”

The Department of Finance will dismiss the violations, and NYPD will remind traffic agents not to issue such tickets every time alternate side rules are suspended going forward.  If you do happen to get a ticket, you know what to do now.