Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Parking "Grace Period" Begins Today!
By
Sabrina Jaszi
Published Mar 21, 2010
Modified Mar 21, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Sabrina Jaszi
Published Mar 21, 2010
Modified Mar 21, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Just five more minutes, Dad! protested NYC drivers sick of expensive fines during street cleaning, and starting today they’ll have time to hit snooze. A new law gives vehicle owners a 300-second grace period during alternate side parking hours or at expired city Muni Meters. Bloomberg warned that the legislation would result in “chaos” as drivers quarreled with meter maids, gesturing at the faces of their watches. But City Council Speaker Christine Quinn fought the mayor and won: "Other cities have this [grace period] and it has not proven to be chaotic," Quinn said, according to the News. "It's a nice and appropriate amount of latitude to give New Yorkers in a place where we all know it's not easy to park."
Not a fan of lateness, Bloomberg vetoed the bill last year, but was overruled. "It's like you and I agreeing to get there at 10 o'clock and you arrive at 10:10. We want to get there at 10:10, let's agree to 10:10," he said. Quinn says helping New Yorkers avoid $65 “gotcha” tickets is important, especially in recession times, and drivers agree that every minute counts. "I think the mayor should drive his own car and find out how good five-minute grace period is," Jeff Coleman told WCBSTV.
Tagged
alternate side parking
christine quinn
City Council
grace period
mayor bloomberg
parking meter
parking ticket
street cleaning
Sabrina Jaszi
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Mahmoud Khalil sues Columbia over alleged treatment of pro-Palestinian activists
The lawsuit accuses Columbia University of failing to address harassment and doxxing targeting Khalil and other activists.
By
Giulia Heyward
Published Sep 14, 2026 at 3:29 p.m. ET
Data center spills 5K gallons of diesel into New Jersey Meadowlands
The spill affected a tributary of the Hackensack River. Authorities say cleanup is underway.
By
Michael Sol Warren
News
Data center spills 5K gallons of diesel into New Jersey Meadowlands
The spill affected a tributary of the Hackensack River. Authorities say cleanup is underway.
By
Michael Sol Warren
Manhattan DA seizes 12 deepfake porn sites, says many more are out there
By
Charles Lane
NY officials join with others looking to block another Trump blow to immigrants
By
Willow Higgins
and
Herb Pinder
Student stabbed in front of Bronx high school, police say
By
Catalina Gonella
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .