Types of NYC parking violations
nyfinepay is an independent private service, not the City of New York. You can always pay the city directly, which may cost less.
The city sorts parking violations into numbered codes. The fine depends on the code, and for many codes on where you were parked: Manhattan at 96th Street and below, or everywhere else. Camera tickets are a separate group.
How the city classifies parking tickets
The Department of Finance publishes a list of violation codes, with a definition and a fine for each. Your ticket shows the code and a short description. The list has up to a hundred codes. The fine can differ by area: the city’s table has one column for Manhattan at 96th Street and below and one for all other areas. Some codes charge more for repeat violations within 12 months, and some codes are no longer issued. The city also notes that each fine includes a $15 New York State Criminal Justice surcharge.
Because amounts differ by code and place, we do not list them here. Your lookup on nyfinepay shows the exact amount owed on each ticket, and the city’s violation codes page has the full schedule.
Common kinds of tickets
- Meters and muni-meters. Parking after the time on your receipt or meter has run out, or not displaying the receipt.
- Street cleaning (alternate side parking). Parking where and when the sign says the street is being cleaned. The Department of Transportation publishes the alternate side parking rules.
- Fire hydrant. Parking too close to a hydrant.
- Double parking. Stopping next to a car that is already parked at the curb.
- Blocking an intersection or a crosswalk. Stopping where you block traffic or people crossing.
- Bicycle lane and pedestrian ramp. Parking or stopping in a bike lane, or blocking a curb ramp.
- Bus lane and bus stop. Using or stopping in a bus lane or at a bus stop. These can also be written by cameras.
- Railroad crossing. Stopping or parking where the rules do not allow it near a crossing.
That is only a sample. The city’s list also covers no-standing and no-parking zones, and many others.
Which of these can you pay on nyfinepay?
We can look up and submit payment for NYC parking violations and for speed, red light and bus lane camera tickets. We cannot pay moving violations, which are handled by a different agency. See parking ticket vs moving violation. A ticket that has a hearing scheduled, a payment already in progress, or no amount owed shows as unavailable in our results.
Why two similar tickets can cost different amounts
Three things move the amount. The code decides the base fine. The place can change it, because the city lists different amounts for Manhattan at 96th Street and below and for everywhere else. And a few codes charge more for repeat violations within a 12-month period. Late penalties are added on top if a ticket is not handled in time, as explained in deadlines and penalties.
When you first get a ticket
- Read the violation description, date, time and location, and check that the plate and state are yours.
- Note the issue date. The city’s 30-day window starts there.
- Decide whether to pay it or contest it.
- Pay or request a hearing before the window closes.
Reading your ticket
Look at the violation description, the date and time, the location and your plate details. A ticket that is missing required information or is illegible can be challenged. The city explains what a valid ticket must contain on its required elements page. If something looks wrong, read how to contest a ticket before you pay, because you decide that first.
Related guides
Where this comes from
Facts in this guide come from the City of New York’s own pages. They can change, so check the city before you act on a deadline or an amount.