Where can I find free parking in New York City?

Free street parking is widely available across all five NYC boroughs on residential side streets outside of Alternate Side Parking (ASP) sweeping hours. In addition, NYC parking meters are free every Sunday citywide and after 7:00 PM on most commercial avenues. Spotto NYC helps drivers coordinate 5-minute spot holds with departing drivers in real-time to claim free curb spots instantly.

What is the 15-foot fire hydrant parking rule in NYC?

Under NYC Traffic Rules (Title 34, Chapter 4, Section 4-08(e)(2)) and New York State VTL § 1202(b)(1), it is illegal to park, stand, or stop a vehicle within 15 feet of any fire hydrant, day or night. Violations result in a mandatory $115 ticket and potential towing. Spotto NYC features a sub-foot 15ft Fire Hydrant Radar indexed against 85,240 municipal hydrants to ensure drivers park safely outside the buffer.

How does Alternate Side Parking (ASP) work in NYC?

Alternate Side Parking (ASP) regulations allow NYC Department of Sanitation (DSNY) sweepers to clean street curbs. Side streets are typically restricted for 90 minutes once or twice per week (e.g., Tues & Fri 8:30 AM - 10:00 AM). Parking during active sweeping windows incurs a $65 fine. ASP is suspended on major religious and legal holidays and during severe winter weather. Spotto provides automated 12-hour and 1-hour advance reminders before ASP begins.

What times are NYC parking meters free?

All NYC parking meters are free on Sundays throughout Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island. On Monday through Saturday, metered parking generally ends at 7:00 PM or 10:00 PM depending on the commercial corridor. Major legal holidays also suspend meter payment rules.

How does the Spotto 5-minute parking spot hold work?

When a driver is preparing to leave a curb space, they tap 'Leaving Spot' in the Spotto app. A nearby searching driver claims the 5-minute hold, locking in navigation to the space. The departing driver sees the seeker's live ETA and vehicle color, pulling out as the arriving driver arrives, preventing outside circling vehicles from poaching the open space.

Can you rent out your private driveway for parking in NYC?

Yes. Property owners in NYC (Queens, Brooklyn, Staten Island, Bronx, and Upper Manhattan) can list their private residential driveway or dedicated parking stall on Spotto to earn $200–$800 per month in passive income by renting space to verified local commuters.

Spotto NYC | New York Free Parking, Spot Holds & Curb Intel

Interactive Feature Simulator

Test Spotto’s superpowers
before you download.

Click between the tabs below to test live parking spot handoffs, the 15ft hydrant radar, NYC Alternate Side Parking rules, and meter intelligence.

Live Parking Hold & Handoff

Test how easy it is to claim a spot and sync arrival status with the holding driver.

04:24

Daryl Marcano

74th St & Amsterdam Ave

Active Hold

Vehicle

Silver Honda Civic

Space Type

Standard Street

Tap to send live arrival status:

Direct Handoff Chat

Online

Hey! I'm in the gray Honda Civic, hazards on.

12:31 PM

On my way! 3 blocks away.

12:32 PM

Test Spotto’s superpowers before you download.

Live Parking Hold & Handoff

Test Spotto’s superpowers
before you download.