NYC parking violation code
Code 21: No Parking — Street Cleaning
Code 21 — No Parking, Street Cleaning (Alternate Side). NYC Parking Ticket Ninja provides a curated appeal guide for this code, with the relevant statute citations and a question set targeted to the elements the City must prove.
Typical fine
$65
Appeal deadline
30 days
From the issue date on the ticket
Adjudicated by
NYC DOF Parking Violations Bureau
Build an appeal for code 21
The guided interview asks only the questions relevant to code 21, ranks the viable defenses based on your answers, and produces a PDF appeal letter you can file online, by mail, or in person.
Start guided appeal for code 21Governing law
- NYC Traffic Rules § 4-08(c)(1) (Street cleaning prohibitions)
- NYC Traffic Rules § 4-08(a) (Sign visibility requirement)
What the City must show
To sustain a code 21 citation, the City has to establish each of the following on the record:
- A "No Parking — Street Cleaning" sign was conspicuously posted and visible from the parking position.
- The vehicle was parked at the cited location during the posted cleaning hours.
- No applicable suspension (snow emergency, holiday, etc.) was in effect on the date.
- The plate and time/date recorded on the ticket accurately identify the vehicle and the alleged conduct.
Common defenses
Inadequate or missing signage
The parking restriction was not communicated by a clearly visible, unobstructed sign or marking, so the violation cannot stand.
Weather or street conditions defeated notice
Snow, ice, or other natural conditions made signs or curb markings unreadable, or made compliance impossible.
Mistaken identity / wrong vehicle
The plate, vehicle description, or other identifying information on the ticket does not match the vehicle, so the citation cannot be enforced against this owner.
Incorrect time or date on ticket
The time or date recorded on the ticket cannot be reconciled with when the vehicle was actually at the location.
Driver was present and the vehicle was not "standing"
The vehicle was attended by a driver who was prepared to move it on request, so it was not "standing" or "parked" within the meaning of the rule.
Defective ticket — missing or illegible required information
The ticket fails to record the information required by NYC Admin Code § 19-203, depriving the operator of fair notice.
Notes
Among the most-issued tickets in NYC. Common viable defenses are signage problems, snow-emergency suspensions, and presence of a driver about to move the car.
Frequently asked questions
What is NYC parking violation code 21?
Code 21 is the NYC Department of Finance designation for "No Parking — Street Cleaning". It is issued when a vehicle is parked, standing, or stopped in violation of the cited rule.
How much is the fine for NYC parking code 21?
The typical fine for code 21 is $65. Late-payment penalties can roughly double the amount if the ticket is not paid or contested within the appeal window.
What's the deadline to appeal a code 21 ticket?
NYC requires parking-ticket appeals within 30 days of the issue date. Appeals filed after the 30-day window may be accepted only on a showing of good cause.
Where do I file an appeal for code 21?
Appeals are submitted to NYC Department of Finance Parking Violations Bureau. You can file online at nyc.gov/payparking, by mail, or in person at a DOF Business Center. The 30-day deadline applies regardless of forum.
What defenses work best for a code 21 ticket?
For code 21, our engine considers: Inadequate or missing signage, Weather or street conditions defeated notice, Mistaken identity / wrong vehicle, Incorrect time or date on ticket. The strongest defense depends on the facts — start the guided interview to see which apply to your situation.