Alternate side parking in NYC, explained

Updated October 2, 2026

Alternate side parking (ASP) is New York’s street-cleaning rule: on posted days, you can’t leave a car on that side of the street during a set window so the sweepers can pass. It is the single most common reason people circle the block with their coffee going cold.

Reading an ASP sign

An ASP plate shows a street-cleaning pictogram, the days and a time window — for example NO PARKING 11:30AM–1PM MON & THURS. The rule applies to that one side of the street, only on those days, only during that window.

The whole window counts

The restriction lasts for the entire posted window, even after the sweeper has gone by. If the sign says 11:30–1, you can’t put the car back at 12:15.

Suspensions

On certain holidays and events the city suspends ASP. A suspension lifts the street-cleaning rule only: other posted rules — and generally the meters — still apply unless the city says otherwise. Check the city’s announcements on the day; CurbParker reads the posted sign and does not replace those announcements.

Using CurbParker for it

Set “park until” to the time you’ll be back and CurbParker only offers curbs that are legal for the whole stay — including the ASP window on the next cleaning day if your stay reaches it.

See the curb colours before you park — free to try.

Get it on Google Play

Quick answers

Do I have to move my car for the entire alternate side window?

Yes. The restriction applies for the whole posted time window, not just while the sweeper passes.

Does alternate side suspension also suspend the meters?

Not automatically. A suspension lifts the street-cleaning rule; other rules, including meters, generally still apply unless the city announces otherwise.

Keep reading

Sources

NYC DOT — Parking regulations sign legend · NYC Traffic Rules §4-08 (Parking, Stopping, Standing)

The signs on the street always win. This page is general information, not legal advice; rules change, so check the posted sign and the official source.