Is it illegal to save a parking spot in NY?

However, placing an object, like a parking cone, in a space to save it is illegal in certain states, including New York. In New York City, blocking a parking space to save it is finable up to $2,000.



Yes, it is strictly illegal to save a parking spot on public streets in New York City, and doing so can result in a fine or the removal of the obstruction. According to the NYC Administrative Code and Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations, no person shall "reserve" a parking space on a public highway using cones, chairs, crates, or any other physical objects. This practice, often seen after heavy snowstorms (colloquially known as "dibs"), is a frequent source of neighborly disputes but holds no legal standing. In early 2026, the NYC Council introduced Int 0509-2026, which further emphasizes the prohibition of commercial establishments from using public streets as their private parking or storage lots. If you see someone saving a spot, you are technically allowed to move the object and park there, though in NYC, this often carries a risk of "street justice" or vandalism. The official advice is to report the obstruction to 311, and the local precinct or Sanitation Department will eventually be dispatched to clear the "placeholders."

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Technically, most states prohibit people standing in the parking spot because this behavior is a concern to block traffic. Altogether, it is not a crime to be a parking space protector, but they can be sued and paid for a fine by blocking traffic as it is considered AS TRaffic VIolation to stop a moving vehicle.

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Residents and businesses can't place traffic cones on the street or sidewalk. This includes cones used to save parking spaces. You can report a street or sidewalk blocked by traffic cones.

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Unless a posted sign says otherwise, you may not leave a vehicle parked in the same spot for more than seven days in a row. This rule includes spots in all types of neighborhoods, including residential areas. Unless posted signs say otherwise, commercial vehicles may not be parked on any street for more than 3 hours.

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Rates are posted on parking meters and are limited to the duration on the posted sign on that block. The maximum time for a metered parking session varies by type of vehicle and ranges from one to 15 hours. Vehicle type, rates, and durations may vary throughout the day.

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Daily Parking in New York
  • Battery Park City.
  • Broadway Theater District.
  • Chelsea.
  • City Hall.
  • Columbus Circle.
  • DUMBO.
  • East Harlem.
  • Financial District.


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Parking on your lawn is illegal in New York. According to New York State law, it is illegal to park on an unpaved area in your front yard, including your lawn which means that if you are parking on your lawn, sidewalk, or any other area that is not designated for parking on your property, you face being handed a fine.

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