Fight a parking ticket in New York City
Facts on this page verified against New York City's official sources on 2026-07-26— every source is linked in "Check our work" below.
You have 30 days from when the ticket is issued. Decisions are made by NYC Dept. of Finance — Parking Violations Bureau (ALJs). Below: where to dispute, the most common violations with their fines, and how the camera programs work — every fact linked to its official source.
The essentials
| Deadline | You have 30 days from when the ticket is issued. |
|---|---|
| Who decides | NYC Dept. of Finance — Parking Violations Bureau (ALJs) |
| Appeals | DOF Appeals Board; then Article 78 (NY Supreme Court), within 30 days |
| Ways to dispute | online · the NYC Pay or Dispute app · by mail · in person · by written statement — official dispute portal |
Common violations in New York City, with real dismissal rates
| Violation | Fine | Dismissal rate |
|---|---|---|
| Red-light camera · 07 | $50 | 16% |
| Blocking the box · 09 | $115 | — |
| No stopping · 10 | $115 | 7% |
| No standing (general) · 14 | $115 | 11% |
| No standing — truck loading/unloading · 16 | $95 | 28% |
| No standing — authorized vehicles only · 17 | $95 | 18% |
| Bus lane · 18 | $115 | 8% |
| Bus stop · 19 | $115 | 9% |
| No parking (general) · 20 | $65 / $60 by zone | 24% |
| No parking — street cleaning · 21 | $65 | 17% |
| Disabled parking zone (off-street) · 27 | $180 | — |
| Non-commercial vehicle in commercial zone · 31 | $115 | 13% |
| Overtime at broken/missing meter · 32 | $65 / $35 by zone | — |
| School-zone speed camera · 36 | $50 | 14% |
| Parking in excess of meter time · 37 | $65 / $35 by zone | 27% |
| Failure to display muni-meter receipt · 38 | $65 / $35 by zone | 34% |
| Within 15 feet of fire hydrant · 40 | $115 | 10% |
| Expired muni-meter — commercial zone · 42 | $65 / $35 by zone | 7% |
| Double parking · 46 | $115 | 21% |
Rates from the TossMyTicket Outcomes Index; "—" means not enough data to publish a rate yet.
What happens if you don't pay
$10 late + 9% interest (non-camera); camera +$25 day 31; judgment ~day 100; boot/tow at $350 judgment debt; no hearings on judgments >1yr
Camera tickets in New York City
| Red-light cameras | Owner liable regardless of driver · no license points · VTL 1111-a — Strict owner liability; $25 late penalty per 1111-a(g) |
|---|---|
| School-zone speed cameras | Owner liable regardless of driver · no license points · VTL 1180-b — 750 school zones (~2,200 cameras), 24/7/365 since 2022-08-01; program extended through 2030 (2025-06-30) |
| Bus-lane cameras | Owner liable regardless of driver · no license points · VTL 1111-c — Escalates per offense in rolling 12 months |
Camera notices are mailed and carry their own response deadline — use the date printed on your notice, not a general rule.
Common questions
How long do I have to dispute a parking ticket in New York City?
You have 30 days from when the ticket is issued. The decision is made by NYC Dept. of Finance — Parking Violations Bureau (ALJs).
Can I dispute a New York City parking ticket online?
Yes — New York City accepts online disputes and disputes through the NYC Pay or Dispute app, plus mail and in-person hearings.
What happens if I don't pay a parking ticket in New York City?
$10 late + 9% interest (non-camera); camera +$25 day 31; judgment ~day 100; boot/tow at $350 judgment debt; no hearings on judgments >1yr
Can I appeal if I lose a New York City ticket hearing?
Yes — appeals go to DOF Appeals Board; then Article 78 (NY Supreme Court) within 30 days of the decision.
Start with the scan. It reads your exact ticket, checks it for defects, computes your deadline, and shows the odds for your specific violation — free.
TossMyTicket is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Self-help tools only. Outcomes are never guaranteed.
Check our work
Facts on this page come from official sources, verified 2026-07-26: