Quick Summary:
- Read every sign on the pole, then use the strictest rule.
- Match the day and time window to the side you parked.
- Look for “Either Side” wording that bans parking on both kerbs.
- If unsure, move before the window begins, or choose a garage.
Alternate Side Parking (ASP) is New York City’s street-sweeping system, and it is one of the easiest ways for visitors using car hire to collect a ticket or, in some cases, get towed. The rules are posted on street signs, but the trick is learning how to read them in the real world, where several signs can share one pole and different rules can apply by day, time, street side, or even season.
This guide breaks down how ASP signs work, what common sign formats mean, how to spot “either side” restrictions, and what to do when you are not 100 percent sure before leaving the car.
If you are collecting a vehicle after a flight, it helps to plan parking early. Hola Car Rentals has New York area pages such as car hire at New York JFK and car hire at Newark EWR, which are handy starting points for comparing pick-up locations before you deal with city kerbside rules.
What “Alternate Side Parking” actually means in NYC
ASP is not a general ban on parking. It is a scheduled restriction that clears one side of the street for cleaning. During the posted window, you must not be parked on the restricted side, even if you stay in the car. In many areas, people do “ASP shuffling” by moving to the opposite side or another block shortly before the window starts.
Important point for visitors: ASP enforcement is time-based and side-based. If you misunderstand the side, or misread the times, your car hire vehicle can be ticketed quickly, and towing is possible on certain routes or when additional restrictions apply (for example, no standing zones, bus stops, hydrants, or construction postings).
How to read NYC parking signs, step by step
1) Start at the top of the pole and read every sign. NYC often stacks multiple rules on one pole: ASP, metered parking instructions, residential exceptions, and special event rules. You must obey all of them, so the strictest rule wins.
2) Identify which rule is ASP. ASP signs usually mention street cleaning and list a day (or days) with a time window. The wording might be “NO PARKING” with the days and times, or it may say “NO PARKING STREET CLEANING” in some neighbourhoods.
3) Confirm the side of the street you are on. ASP alternates, so one side might be restricted on Monday and Thursday, and the opposite side on Tuesday and Friday, or similar patterns. The sign you are reading typically applies to that side of the street, not both sides, unless it explicitly says otherwise.
4) Read the days and times literally. “MON THU 8:30AM-10AM” means the restriction is active on Mondays and Thursdays during that exact window. If you are parked there at 8:45 on a Thursday, you are in violation.
5) Look for arrows. Some signs include arrows pointing left or right. An arrow means the rule applies only in that direction from the signpost, until the next sign changes it. If there is no arrow, assume the sign applies to the entire block face, but still scan for another sign that modifies it.
Real-world sign patterns and what they mean
Below are common, real-world patterns you will see across New York. The exact text varies, but the logic stays consistent.
Pattern A: Two days listed, one time window
You might see: “NO PARKING MON THU 9AM-10:30AM”. This is classic ASP. It means you must move off that side during the window on Monday and Thursday. Outside those hours, parking may be allowed, unless another sign restricts it (such as a metered zone or a no standing rush-hour rule).
Pattern B: Multiple days listed, longer window
In denser areas, you may see: “NO PARKING MON WED FRI 11AM-12:30PM”. That is still ASP, just more frequent. If you are staying several days, assume you will have to move at least once unless you switch to off-street parking.
Pattern C: Different time windows on the same pole
Sometimes there are two ASP signs on one pole, each with different days and times. This can happen near corners or where a block has split rules. In that case, the safest approach is to treat your exact position as governed by the sign nearest to it, and confirm with arrows. If you cannot confidently map it, do not leave the car there.
Pattern D: ASP plus a separate rush-hour restriction
You may see ASP plus something like: “NO STANDING 4PM-7PM MON-FRI”. “No standing” is more restrictive than “no parking” and can be enforced even if you stay in the vehicle. If a no standing period overlaps your planned stop, you should not wait it out, and towing risk is higher on busy routes.
Pattern E: Seasonal or event variations
Some streets add temporary “NO PARKING” postings for filming, construction, or events. Those can override the usual ASP schedule. Always check for bright temporary notices on trees, poles, and barriers near your parking spot.
How to spot “Either Side” rules (and why they matter)
Most ASP rules are per side. However, you will sometimes see signs that state “NO PARKING EITHER SIDE” for a time window. That language means both kerbs are restricted during that period, not just the side you are standing on.
“Either Side” is common near schools, narrow streets, or areas that need a full clear-out for operations. For drivers using car hire, this is a major gotcha, because you cannot simply cross the street when the window starts. You must leave the entire area or use off-street parking.
Also watch for “NO STANDING ANYTIME” or “NO PARKING ANYTIME” panels. These are not ASP, they are full-time restrictions for that segment. If you see “ANYTIME”, assume it is never legal to park there unless another sign explicitly provides an exception.
Street-sweeping windows: timing tactics that prevent tickets
Arrive early enough to evaluate the whole block. If you pull in five minutes before an ASP window begins, you may not have time to interpret stacked signs and arrows properly. Build in a few minutes to walk to the corner and back, scanning for additional signposts.
Do not assume the opposite side is safe. On many streets, the opposite side has ASP on different days, but the same day can still be restricted if it is a different schedule, a bus lane, a loading zone, or “Either Side” rules apply during certain hours.
Watch for metered regulations that still apply. ASP might be inactive, but a metered zone could require payment and may have maximum stay rules. A valid meter does not excuse you during ASP.
If you plan to keep the vehicle overnight, check the next morning. People often read the sign when they arrive at night and forget that the next morning may have sweeping. Before you settle in, read the sign and set a reminder for the next relevant window.
If your trip includes crossing into New Jersey, it can be easier to manage parking and then drive into the city when needed. Hola Car Rentals also covers nearby options like car hire in New Jersey near EWR and specialist vehicle categories such as SUV rental in New Jersey (EWR), which can suit luggage-heavy itineraries.
Common mistakes visitors make with NYC ASP signs
Misreading the day order. Signs may list multiple days with no punctuation. Read each day as included. If it says “MON THU”, Thursday is included, not optional.
Confusing “No Parking” with “No Standing”. “No parking” generally means you may stop briefly for active loading or unloading, depending on the zone, but you cannot leave the vehicle. “No standing” is stricter, it typically forbids stopping except for immediate passenger drop-off. Do not try to wait in a no standing zone during a restriction window.
Not noticing arrows. A sign with a right arrow can apply only to the next segment, and a different sign can start midway down the block. If you only read the first pole near the corner, you might miss a change.
Assuming holidays cancel ASP. Some holidays suspend ASP, but not all. If you are not sure, treat ASP as active and choose an option that avoids the risk.
Ignoring temporary postings. Construction and filming notices can create tow-away zones even when ASP would normally allow parking.
What to do if you are unsure before leaving the car
Do a quick “two-pole check”. Read the sign where you parked, then read the next pole in the direction of travel. If they conflict and you cannot tell which applies to your exact spot, relocate.
Move to a clearer block face. Look for a stretch with one simple ASP sign and no arrows, plus no additional restrictions. Corners and mid-block transitions are where confusion spikes.
Choose off-street parking if timing is tight. If you have a meeting, a show, or an early train, do not gamble on an ASP window you might forget. A garage can be less stressful than watching the clock.
If you must keep the car on-street, plan the shuffle. Identify an alternative street in advance for the sweeping period, and remember that finding a space can take time. Aim to move before the window begins, because the busiest moments are right at the start.
When picking up a car hire vehicle for city driving, provider and location can shape how easy your first hours are. For instance, comparing suppliers at Hertz car hire at New York JFK can help you align pick-up timing with when you plan to park in the city later.
FAQ
Do I have to sit in the car during Alternate Side Parking hours? No. During the posted ASP window, you generally cannot be parked on the restricted side at all. Sitting in the vehicle does not usually make it legal, and you may still be ticketed.
If the sign lists two days, does it mean alternate weeks? No. If it says “MON THU” (or similar), the rule applies every Monday and every Thursday during the listed times, unless ASP is officially suspended for a holiday.
How can I tell if a sign applies to the whole block or just part of it? Check for arrows on the sign. Arrows indicate the direction the rule applies from that pole. If there are no arrows, still scan for another sign on the same block that changes the rules.
What does “Either Side” mean on NYC parking signs? “Either Side” means the restriction applies to both sides of the street for that time window. You cannot simply move across the road, you must park elsewhere.
What is the safest option if I cannot confidently decode the signs? Do not leave the car there. Move to a clearer block with simpler signage, or use off-street parking, because a single misunderstanding can lead to a ticket or towing.
