Finding a parking spot in New York City is challenging. But finding a spot without getting a ticket? That’s even harder. For drivers who rely on their vehicles for work, a parking ticket isn’t just a nuisance. It can impact your livelihood.
To help you navigate the city’s parking, we’ve identified the neighborhoods that issued the most parking tickets in 2024. If you frequent these areas, stay alert and double-check those parking signs.
Top 5 Neighborhoods for Parking Tickets in 2024
Based on data from NYC Open Data and analyses by SpotAngels, here are the neighborhoods with the highest number of parking tickets issued in 2024:
1. Midtown, Manhattan
Midtown remains a hotspot for parking violations, with over 158,000 tickets issued. The area’s dense traffic, numerous commercial establishments, and frequent street closures make legal parking a challenge.
Common violations: Double parking, bus lane violations, no standing zones
Average fine: $115
2. Upper East Side, Manhattan
The Upper East Side topped the list with over 100,000 parking tickets issued. The combination of residential streets, commercial areas, and strict enforcement contributes to the high number of violations.
Common violations: Street cleaning, expired meters, no standing zones
Average fine: $65
3. Hell’s Kitchen, Manhattan
Hell’s Kitchen reported over 32,000 parking tickets. The neighborhood’s mix of residential and commercial areas, along with ongoing construction projects, leads to frequent parking infractions.
Common violations: Blocking driveways, double parking, no standing zones
Average fine: $95
4. Washington Heights, Manhattan
Washington Heights issued around 25,639 parking tickets. The area’s hilly terrain and limited parking availability make it a challenging place for drivers.
Common violations: Fire hydrant violations, expired meters, double parking
Average fine: $65
5. Financial District, Manhattan
The Financial District saw approximately 13,644 parking tickets. Narrow streets and limited parking options contribute to the high number of violations.
Common violations: No parking zones, expired meters, loading zone violations
Average fine: $88
Responding to Parking Tickets
Deciding whether to pay or contest a parking ticket involves a few key considerations. If the ticket is clearly correct, you wish to avoid the hassle of contesting, or the fine is minor (around $65 or less) and won’t impact your license, simply paying the ticket can be the quickest resolution. This is especially true if you view occasional, low-cost tickets as a part of city driving.
However, you should reconsider paying immediately if you believe the ticket was issued unfairly or in error, providing you have evidence like photos of legal parking, obscured signage, or proof you were present in the vehicle. Ignoring a ticket is the worst approach, as late fees are added after 30 days, fines can double or triple after 60-90 days, and accumulating $350 or more in unpaid fines can lead to your car being booted, towed, or your registration being blocked.
