NYC Parking Guide

NYC alternate side parking,
without the guesswork.

How ASP works, when it is suspended, what the posted broom sign means, and how to use aSpot before the curb turns into a ticket.

Alternate Side Parking, or ASP, is the NYC curb rule that clears one side of a street for cleaning. The city posts ASP rules with broom-sign parking signs, and the rule applies for the entire posted window even if a sweeper has already passed.

Official-rule groundedNYCUpdated 2026-04-24
5 min
ASP grace period
Full window
Rule applies
311/DOT
Official status
Posted signs
Final authority
This guide is informational and built for driver decision support. NYC curb legality depends on the posted sign, current city announcements, meter/ParkNYC session details, and any temporary signs at the exact block.

How ASP works

Many NYC streets have alternate side regulations that reserve one side of the street for cleaning on posted days and times. When the sign is active, you cannot remain parked on that side of the street during the posted window. Always read every sign that applies to your curb, because nearby blocks can have different schedules.

Suspensions and holidays

NYC suspends ASP on specific legal and religious holidays and may also suspend it for weather or emergencies. Planned suspensions are posted by NYC DOT, while emergency changes are usually checked through NYC 311 or Notify NYC. Other parking rules may still apply when ASP is suspended.

Grace period

NYC 311 says drivers get a five-minute grace period past the time on an ASP sign. That is helpful, but it should not be treated as a strategy. If the sign says the window ends at 11:30, build your plan around being legal before then.

What aSpot should help with

aSpot should help drivers remember where they parked, compare nearby blocks, avoid wasting time in high-competition areas, and check whether the next restriction window makes a space risky.

Fast checks before you walk away

Do not move back too early

The city says ASP applies for the full posted time. A sweeper passing does not make the curb legal again before the window ends.

Check the exact side

The rule applies to the side being cleaned. Opposite-side signs may have different windows.

Suspended ASP is not free parking everywhere

Hydrants, meters, no-standing, bus stops, crosswalks, and temporary signs can still apply.

NYC rule sources used for this page

The page uses official NYC/DOT/311/Open Data sources where possible, then translates the rules into practical parking decisions for aSpot users.

Common questions

What is alternate side parking in NYC?
Alternate side parking is the posted street-cleaning rule that prohibits parking on one side of a street during specific posted days and times.
Does ASP apply after the street sweeper passes?
Yes. NYC 311 says the rule applies for the entire time posted on the sign, even if a street sweeper has already passed.
Is there a grace period for ASP?
Yes. NYC 311 says drivers have a five-minute grace period past the time on the ASP sign.
Are meters suspended when ASP is suspended?
Not always. Meter rules are separate, and drivers should check the meter, ParkNYC zone, posted signs, and current NYC announcements.

Keep building your NYC parking strategy