Bill Would Give 24-Hour Warning For Temp Tow-Away Zones

NEW YORK

On Wednesday, legislation was introduced in the City Council that would require at least 24 hours’ notice before the city can convert legal parking spaces to a temporary tow-away zone. This situation often arises to accommodate special events like street fairs.

Currently the city is not required to post any notice before establishing a temporary tow-away zone, routinely leaving drivers surprised when they return to their parking space and find their vehicle gone.

Councilman David G. Greenfield, who introduced the bill, has first-hand experience of this problem, having parked legally outside City Hall only to return to find his car had been towed away because the NYPD had placed a ‘no parking’ sign there after he had parked.

If approved, this law will require the NYPD to post notice of the temporary parking restrictions at least 24 hours in advance to ensure drivers are aware of the change.

“There is no reason why the city cannot extend this courtesy to drivers and give them ample notice of temporary parking restrictions. There are few experiences in New York City as frustrating as returning to a parking space to find your car missing, especially when you were legally parked in the first place. This law is part of my continuing efforts to update the city’s parking and traffic rules to better serve the public,” said Councilman Greenfield.

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