NYC Violation Code 33: Feeding Meter
Parking violation · $35 base fine · 5-stage penalty escalation
Fine Breakdown
Base Fine
$35
Maximum (before judgment)
$135
Penalty Escalation Timeline
Base Fine
$35
At issue
+$10 Late Penalty
$45
After 30 days
+$30 Late Penalty
$75
After 60 days
+$60 Late Penalty
$135
After 75 days
Judgment Entered
$135
After 90 days
Quick Tip
Feeding a meter means adding time beyond the posted maximum stay. If the posted sign did not clearly state a maximum time limit, or if you moved your vehicle and returned, document accordingly.
When this ticket gets issued
Code 33 is issued when a vehicle feeds the meter, meaning the driver adds time beyond the posted maximum stay without moving the vehicle. The base fine is $35. Most MuniMeter zones post a maximum stay of one or two hours; feeding the meter is adding additional time without physically relocating the vehicle to a new block face. Code 33 is distinct from Code 32 overtime in that Code 33 specifically targets the act of paying past the posted maximum. Fleet drivers sometimes pay repeatedly at the same space during long deliveries without realizing this itself is a violation.
How to fight code 33
Meter was broken or not accepting payment
If the MuniMeter on the block was malfunctioning and a driver used a nearby working machine as an alternative, photograph the broken meter and attach a written account explaining the payment sequence. Feeding a different machine because the primary was broken is a defensible situation.
Evidence to bring: photo_of_meter, written_account
Had valid muni-meter receipt displayed
If the posted maximum stay exceeded the time actually purchased (for example, a 4-hour sign but only a 2-hour receipt), attach the receipt and photograph the sign showing the maximum stay. The vehicle cannot be feeding the meter if the cumulative paid time stayed below the posted limit.
Evidence to bring: photo_of_receipt, written_account
Vehicle was not at this location at the time
Use GPS or telematics to show the vehicle left the space between sessions, making the paid time a new session rather than feeding. Export the trip log showing departure and return to a different block face. A new block face resets the maximum stay clock.
Evidence to bring: written_account
Wrong plate number on the ticket
Compare the plate on the Code 33 summons to your DMV registration. Attach a photo of the actual plate on the truck. MuniMeter receipts are tied to a plate, so a transcription error on the summons can be disproven by matching the receipt's plate field to the registered plate.
Evidence to bring: photo_of_plate, photo_of_registration
Ticket contains errors (wrong date, time, location, or vehicle description)
Review the Code 33 summons for wrong vehicle description or meter hours. Feeding the meter requires posted maximum-stay signage; if the sign did not clearly state a maximum, note that in your statement. List all field-level errors on the summons.
Evidence to bring: written_account
Frequently Asked Questions
How is feeding the meter different from paying extra time overtime (Code 32)?
Code 33 covers adding time beyond the maximum stay. Code 32 covers staying past purchased time without adding. If the posted sign says 2-hour max, buying a second 2-hour session without moving is Code 33. Staying at a 2-hour session without returning at all is Code 32. The fines differ ($35 for Code 33, $65 for Code 32).
What if the sign did not post a maximum stay on the block?
Photograph the full block face and the MuniMeter. If no maximum stay was posted, Code 33 cannot apply because there is no defined limit to exceed. Submit the photos with a written statement pointing out the absent maximum stay signage. This is a strong defense when documented.
Can I pay twice if I move the vehicle even a few feet?
You must physically relocate the vehicle to a different block face (or a distinctly different parking space) to start a new session legally. Pulling forward within the same curb segment will usually still trigger Code 33. Drive around the corner or to a new block to reset the maximum stay clock.
What this means for commercial fleets
Code 33 at $35 is the lowest-fine meter ticket but it signals driver behavior issues that can trigger more expensive violations. Drivers who feed the meter often do so because deliveries run long, a pattern that should prompt a route audit. Low fines get paid without dispute; train dispatchers to flag Code 33 tickets and pair them with Code 32 and overtime violations on the same driver to surface training opportunities. Routing software should suggest a fresh block face after 90 minutes of dwell time.
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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 33 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.