The chance that you might just get away with not complying to alternate side parking (ASP) is narrowing. On October 16, NYC Council Member Lincoln Restler posted a video on social media showing an ASP enforcement blitz in Boerum Hill that the NYPD and the NYC Department of Sanitation (DSNY) were implementing.
“As much as we want to get our agencies out every single week enforcing against bad actors, we also need real policy changes. So we’ve introduced legislation in the city council: to increase the tickets for alternate side parking; to ensure that if somebody gets four tickets in a year that they’re subject to towing; and most importantly to put cameras on street sweepers so if cars don’t move when street sweepers are going by they would take a photo, issue a ticket, and have meaningful accountability. We all want clean streets, but it won’t work if people don’t move for ASP,” said Restler in the video.
The legislation Restler referred to is: Int 0627-2026, which he effectively described in his statement above. This bill is similar to one he sponsored in 2023, Int 1115-2023.
For those who question the necessity of ASP, here are some reasons for it: reduces unsightly garbage accumulation, prevents storm drain clogs, prevents harmful matter from going into the storm drains, prevents trash from scattering into roadways and bike lanes, protects wildlife from plastics and other hazards.
However, there are legitimate questions about the negatives of ASP. For instance, as it becomes harder to find an open space, how does the increase in idling or driving around looking for a space effect air quality? Is the frequency of ASP excessive? Can there be better communication? Instances where ASP signage changed without notice, throwing off those who knew the former schedule, have been reported.
The ASP enforcement ramp up is real and here. As I walked on North 5th Street across from P.S. 17 on the morning of October 22, I spotted the DSNY citing and stickering offenders of ASP.
Here is some information from the 311 webpage for ASP. When ASP is in effect, you can’t park on the side of the street that is being cleaned. The rules apply for the entire time posted on the sign, even if a street sweeper has passed. ASP rules are suspended on certain legal and religious holidays each year. On Sundays, ASP is not in effect and you do not have to pay the parking meters. ASP rules and sometimes parking meters may be suspended for severe weather or other emergencies. View the current status of ASP on the NYC Today Calendar: https://portal.311.nyc.gov.
