NYC DOT Meter Rules • Verified against official NYC sources

When Are NYC Parking Meters Free?

Sundays are free, six holidays are free, and everything else depends on the sign on your block. Here's exactly when NYC meters charge — and when they don't.

Meters are FREE

• Every Sunday. NYC meters and muni-meters don't need to be paid on Sundays, citywide.
• Six major legal holidays: New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day. Meters reject payment and display "Meter Off, Read Posted Signs."
• Outside posted paid hours on your block — once the meter's paid window ends for the day, parking is free until it starts again.

Meters still CHARGE

• Religious holidays. When only Alternate Side Parking is suspended, parking meters remain in effect — this is the mistake that costs drivers every holiday season.
• Monday through Saturday during posted paid hours — even on days when street cleaning is suspended.
• Where signs say 7 days. A few metered blocks post regulations in effect 7 days a week — the posted sign always wins over the Sunday rule.

Know before you park

Hours, grace periods & ParkNYC

1. Read your block's sign — Paid hours are set per location and printed on the meter display card and the posted street sign. Hours vary across the city — never assume a standard end time.
2. 5-minute grace period — NYC gives you 5 minutes past meter expiration before a ticket can be written. An expired meter ticket is $65 in Manhattan (96th St. and below), $35 everywhere else.
3. Pay with ParkNYC — The zone number on the meter sign is what you enter in the ParkNYC app. Pay from your phone, extend remotely, and get a reminder before time runs out.

Frequently asked questions

Are NYC parking meters free on Sunday?▾

Yes. NYC parking meters and muni-meters do not have to be paid on Sundays throughout the city. You can park at any metered space for free without paying, unless a posted sign states the regulation is in effect 7 days a week.

On which holidays are NYC parking meters free?▾

NYC parking meters are suspended on six major legal holidays: New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. During these times meters reject payment and display 'Meter Off.' On religious holidays, Alternate Side Parking is suspended but meters remain in effect.

Is there a grace period for expired NYC parking meters?▾

Yes. NYC gives drivers a 5-minute grace period after a meter expires before a ticket can be written. An expired meter ticket costs $65 in Manhattan (96th Street and below) and $35 in all other areas.

How do I know when a NYC meter's paid hours end?▾

Paid hours are set per location and shown on the meter's display card and the posted street sign. Always read the sign on your specific block — hours vary across the city, and assuming a standard end time is how tickets happen.

Never Park Blind in NYC Again

Get Spotto NYC and claim curbside confidence.

Posted Alternate Side Parking schedules, 15ft hydrant proximity warnings, NYC DOT street signs, and peer-to-peer spot holds.