Asger Risom
City authorities say the change is designed to help snow-clearing operations and keep roads moving safely.
A heavy snowstorm sweeping across the Northeast has forced New York City officials to temporarily ease parking restrictions, giving drivers some relief as daily life is disrupted. The move comes as the region experiences its first major snowfall of the season, with transport and power systems under strain.
City authorities say the change is designed to help snow-clearing operations and keep roads moving safely.
Snow hits hard
Parts of Long Island and neighboring New Jersey recorded up to eight inches of snow, while Queens saw accumulations of up to 4.6 inches, according to the Weather Channel. The storm led to airport delays, school closures and power outages across several Northeastern states.
As conditions worsened, New York City’s Department of Transportation announced it would suspend certain parking rules to support emergency and maintenance work.
Parking rules paused
The city temporarily halted Alternate Side Parking (ASP) regulations on Monday, December 15, and Tuesday, December 16. ASP normally restricts parking to one side of the street during specific hours to allow street cleaning, snowplowing or maintenance.
The City of New York explains that ASP rules are marked by signs showing a letter “P” crossed by a broom, indicating when parking is prohibited. When enforced, drivers must obey the full posted time, even if a street sweeper has already passed.
Violating ASP rules typically results in fines ranging from $45 to $65, depending on the borough.
What still applies
With ASP suspended, motorists can park on both sides of affected streets without risking a ticket. However, the DOT stressed that other regulations remain in force, including parking meters, residential permits and time limits.
Officials said ASP rules are expected to resume as normal on Wednesday, December 17.
Drivers are encouraged to stay informed through the city’s emergency channels, including the Notify NYC alert system.
Not just snow
Severe weather is not the only reason ASP rules are suspended. Each year, the city pauses enforcement on dozens of legal and religious holidays. In 2026, there are 42 scheduled suspension days.
The next planned suspension will be Christmas Day, followed by New Year’s Day and Three Kings’ Day on January 6. A full calendar of holiday suspensions is published by the city in advance.
For now, officials are urging drivers to take advantage of the temporary pause responsibly while crews work to clear streets and restore normal operations.
Source: NYC DOT, The Weather Channel
