NYC Violation Code 31: No Standing - Commercial Meter Zone
Parking violation · $115 base fine · 5-stage penalty escalation
Fine Breakdown
Base Fine
$115
Maximum (before judgment)
$215
Penalty Escalation Timeline
Base Fine
$115
At issue
+$10 Late Penalty
$125
After 30 days
+$30 Late Penalty
$155
After 60 days
+$60 Late Penalty
$215
After 75 days
Judgment Entered
$215
After 90 days
Quick Tip
Commercial meter zones require both commercial plates and active meter payment. If the meter was malfunctioning or you had a valid receipt, provide evidence. Non-commercial vehicles cannot use these zones.
When this ticket gets issued
Code 31 is issued to vehicles standing in a commercial meter zone without meeting both requirements: commercial plates and active meter payment. The base fine is $115. Commercial meter zones are curb segments reserved for commercial plate vehicles during posted hours, with meter payment required. A passenger car parked there receives Code 31 even with a paid meter, and a commercial vehicle without meter payment also receives Code 31. Fleet drivers often run into this when the MuniMeter is broken, when the ParkNYC app fails to process payment, or when they park briefly without paying.
How to fight code 31
Had valid muni-meter receipt displayed
Attach a clear photo of the MuniMeter receipt or a ParkNYC app screenshot covering the Code 31 ticket time. The receipt must show the specific block face and a valid paid window. If the receipt was blown off the dash by wind, explain that in the written account and attach the digital payment record as the authoritative proof.
Evidence to bring: photo_of_receipt, written_account
Meter was broken or not accepting payment
Photograph the MuniMeter showing any error message, blank screen, or out-of-service signal. Include wide shots showing which machine serves the Code 31 block. If the ParkNYC app was down at that address, attach a screenshot of the error. NYC does not require payment at a genuinely non-functioning meter.
Evidence to bring: photo_of_meter, written_account
Signs were missing, damaged, or obscured
Commercial meter zones require both the meter and a sign showing hours and commercial-plate restriction. Photograph both. If the sign was down or the hours plate was missing, the restriction cannot be enforced. Wide shots of the block entrance help show a driver approaching from that direction had no notice.
Evidence to bring: photo_of_location, photo_of_sign
Vehicle was actively loading/unloading
If the commercial truck was engaged in a delivery during the Code 31 ticket window, attach the bill of lading, proof of delivery signature, or dispatch record with timestamps. Include the consignee name and street address. Active loading by a commercial plate vehicle in a commercial meter zone is the intended use case.
Evidence to bring: written_account, photo_of_location
Wrong plate number on the ticket
Compare the plate on the Code 31 summons against your registration. Attach a photo of the actual plate on the vehicle. Commercial meter zones cluster commercial plates, making transcription errors common. A wrong plate number means the ticket does not apply to your truck at all.
Evidence to bring: photo_of_plate, photo_of_registration
Ticket contains errors (wrong date, time, location, or vehicle description)
Review the Code 31 summons for wrong body type, color, street address, or time. A sedan description on a box truck, or a time outside posted meter hours, can invalidate the ticket. List every field-level error and include the correct values.
Evidence to bring: written_account
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a passenger car park in a commercial meter zone if the meter is paid?
No. Code 31 requires both commercial plates and active meter payment. Even with a paid meter, a passenger plate in a commercial meter zone receives a ticket. If the sign was unclear about the commercial-plate restriction, the SIGNS_MISSING defense is the primary path, backed by block-level photos.
Does the 5-minute meter grace period apply to commercial meter zones?
Yes. The 5-minute grace period under NYC Admin Code 19-167.2 applies at all MuniMeter locations, including commercial meter zones. If the Code 31 ticket was issued within five minutes of meter expiry, attach the receipt showing the last paid minute and cite the grace period in the written statement.
What if ParkNYC charged my card but the app did not issue the digital receipt?
Export the ParkNYC transaction history for that day and attach both the charge record and a screenshot of the in-app receipt page. The app sometimes lags on receipt generation but still logs the paid session. Back the submission with a credit card statement line showing the successful charge at the ticket minute.
What this means for commercial fleets
Code 31 at $115 is one of the most common tickets for delivery fleets in dense commercial corridors like Midtown, SoHo, and Downtown Brooklyn. Drivers routinely pay the meter but park 30 feet past the commercial zone sign, or pay via ParkNYC and have the transaction fail. Build ParkNYC receipt retention into driver workflow (screenshot every session), train dispatchers to dispute Code 31 immediately when a delivery record exists for that time and address, and track Code 31 clusters to identify zones where drivers need clearer routing guidance.
Related violation codes
Track violation codes across your entire fleet
Clear Plates identifies every violation code, monitors penalty escalation deadlines, and alerts you before fines increase.
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 31 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.