Parking in NYC can be daunting, and finding a space on any given day usually presents itself as a challenge.

That said, there are times when it seems simply impossible to catch a break. It’s in the best interest of the City to delineate areas where only certain cars may park, or where cars cannot park at all. Welcome to the exciting world of specific parking permits at the Department of Transportation (DOT)!

Examples of specific parking permit areas include: Hospitals, Hotels, Schools, and Train Stations—essentially, any busy area where drop offs and pick ups are common, especially during certain hours. Unlike the application process at the Department of Buildings, the process in obtaining a parking permit is a little more casual. Below we outline the steps involved in obtaining a specific parking permit from the DOT:

1. Navigate to http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/contact/contact-form.shtml, select “Permits” from the ‘general topic’ dropdown field and then proceed with filling out the rest of the contact form.

2. In the notes section, make sure to detail your request. You’ll then be routed to appropriate DOT Borough Commissioner and/or staff, and the process plays out mostly through email henceforward.

3. In order to obtain approval, a representative from your local community board must review and clear your permit request. The DOT organizes the local community board review process.

Important information to keep in mind during the process:

• Nature of the business and reasons why specific parking permits are needed
• Size of the company and number of customers
• Hours of operation/hours during which specific parking permits would be necessary

The process, from approval, to community board review, to installation, can take several weeks—so be sure to get your request in early to allow you to obtain the permit ahead of time. If you’re feeling blue while you wait, take solace in the fact that unlike other applications at the DOT or DOB, this one is free, and no charge will be assessed for the installation of the new parking signs or requirements.

If you have any questions related to parking permits or other types of DOT permits, contact our New York City office, and best of luck finding your next parking spot!