NYC Violation Code 21: No Parking - Street Cleaning
Parking violation · $65 base fine · 5-stage penalty escalation
Fine Breakdown
Base Fine
$65
Maximum (before judgment)
$165
Penalty Escalation Timeline
Base Fine
$65
At issue
+$10 Late Penalty
$75
After 30 days
+$30 Late Penalty
$105
After 60 days
+$60 Late Penalty
$165
After 75 days
Judgment Entered
$165
After 90 days
Quick Tip
Check the DOT street cleaning schedule against when the ticket was issued. If the posted sign times don't match, or if cleaning was suspended for a holiday, the ticket should be dismissed.
When this ticket gets issued
Code 21 is issued during posted street cleaning hours on blocks where alternate-side parking (ASP) is in effect. The base fine is $65. ASP schedules run on residential streets typically once or twice a week on each side, with sweeper windows of 90 minutes to 3 hours. Code 21 functions similarly to code 12 but is used in a separate enforcement context. Enforcement begins at the posted start time and continues until the sweeper passes or the window closes. Suspensions apply on listed holidays and during snow emergencies. Fleet vehicles left on the cleaning side during the posted window are ticketed regardless of whether the sweeper actually passed.
How to fight code 21
Vehicle was moved before posted street cleaning time
Produce telematics or a dashcam timestamp showing the truck left the cleaning side before the posted start time. Match the sign's exact hours. Any overlap defeats the defense. Photos of the sign showing posted hours strengthen the submission.
Evidence to bring: written_account, photo_of_sign
Signs were missing, damaged, or obscured
Photograph the street cleaning sign from the driver's approach angle. Document missing poles, covered sign faces, and conflicting signs with different hours. Construction blocks frequently have removed or obscured signs, which is a recognized defense.
Evidence to bring: photo_of_location, photo_of_sign
Driver was in the vehicle with engine running
Attach a driver's statement confirming they remained in the driver's seat with engine on. Street cleaning zones allow a vehicle to stand with a driver present who moves on the sweeper's approach. The driver must actually move out of the sweeper's path.
Evidence to bring: written_account
Vehicle was not at this location at the time
Pull telematics for the ticket timestamp. ASP blocks are block-specific, so a GPS fix on a different block or at the depot is generally conclusive.
Evidence to bring: written_account
Wrong plate number on the ticket
Verify plate and state character-by-character. Include a plate photo and DMV registration.
Evidence to bring: photo_of_plate, photo_of_registration
Ticket contains errors (wrong date, time, location, or vehicle description)
Verify body type, color, make, and cross streets. Also verify the ticket's posted day (e.g., Mon/Thu vs Tue/Fri). Tickets written on a non-cleaning day are facially defective.
Evidence to bring: written_account
Frequently Asked Questions
How is code 21 different from code 12 for street cleaning?
Both codes cover street-cleaning violations during posted ASP hours. They are used in slightly different enforcement contexts by DOF. The defense structure is identical: sign photos, posted-hour documentation, telematics for move-before-time, and verification of ASP suspensions for holidays.
Does alternate-side parking suspend for weather other than snow?
Snow emergencies trigger automatic ASP suspensions. Other weather events (hurricane warnings, extreme heat) can also trigger ad hoc suspensions announced by NYC DOT. Always check the DOT website or suspension-alert subscription before relying on weather for a defense.
Can my driver double-park on the opposite side during ASP sweeping?
Double-parking during ASP is tolerated in practice on some blocks but still technically violates code 46. Officers generally focus on the cleaning side, but enforcement is inconsistent. The safer path is to move the vehicle off the block entirely during the cleaning window.
What this means for commercial fleets
Street-cleaning tickets are the single largest recurring ticket category for fleets that park overnight on residential streets. At $65 per ticket with sweepers running twice a week, a fleet with 20 trucks scattered across residential blocks can accumulate over $2,500 per month if drivers fail to move vehicles in time. Mitigation is operational: depot off-street parking where possible, automated telematics reminders for driver-assigned vehicles before each cleaning window, and subscription to NYC DOT ASP suspension alerts.
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Disclaimer: Clear Plates is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. The information on this page is general educational content about NYC violation code 21 and is not a substitute for advice from a licensed attorney. Defenses, evidence strategies, and hearing outcomes depend on facts specific to each ticket. For legal advice about a specific violation, consult a qualified attorney licensed in New York.