FAQs
New to ParkNYC?
ParkNYC is an easy and convenient way to pay for on-street parking and municipal parking lots using a mobile phone or web browser.
ParkNYC Powered by Flowbird is the only app approved by the City of New York to pay for parking. Previous versions of the app are no longer supported or able to be used in NYC.
The app is available for download in the iOS store for Apple iPhone users or Google Play Store for Android phones.
Yes! If you have a basic phone, you can use ParkNYC by using the Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system to pay for your parking transactions:
- Set up an account online at www.parknycapp.com using a computer or tablet.
- Call 1-800-428-4027 to start your parking session
- An interactive voice response (IVR) system will walk you through the payment process.
Getting started is easy! All you need is a credit or debit card (we accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover).
- Download the free ParkNYC app to your iPhone or Android device and enter your license plate and payment information
Do not have an iPhone or Android phone? Sign up online by visiting www.parknycapp.com
- Pay for parking using your phone without having to go to a meter
- No need to carry coins or a credit card to pay for parking
- No need to place a receipt on your dashboard
- Receive mobile alerts prior to your time expiring
- Extend your parking time remotely, up to the maximum time allowed
- Track your parking activity and sessions
ParkNYC has two convenient ways to pay for your parking.
- eWallet: This option allows you to fund your account with either the minimum amount of $25.00 or choose a higher amount while only paying a $0.05 cents convenience fee for funding the eWallet. You will pay the convenience fee only when funding (replenishment) your eWallet but not on the individual transactions.
- Pay per Transaction: Use the app to pay for parking for a single parking session when you need it. A convenience fee of $0.20 cents added to the cost of your parking payment. This convenience fee also applies to purchase of parking session extension(s).
To ensure continued functionality of ParkNYC we must charge a fee which includes starting and extending parking sessions. We understand fees are not desirable so if you do not want to pay any fees you can still pay at a parking meter using coins or credit card to not pay a fee.
Previous ParkNYC Customer?
No! This is a brand-new app that has improvements and a new single payment option.
Accounts cannot be transferred automatically between the old app and new app. However, if you use the same email and phone number from your old account, your previous balance will be added to your new account.
When signing up for your new account if you do not use your previous phone number or email address it may not have been located. Please contact (800)-428-4027 to get further assistance with your account
I never paid a fee to use ParkNYC before. Why now?
To ensure continued functionality of ParkNYC we must charge a fee which includes starting and extending parking sessions. We understand fees are not desirable so if you do not want to pay any fees you can still pay at a parking meter using coins or credit card.
To ensure continued functionality of ParkNYC we must charge a fee which includes starting and extending parking sessions. We understand fees are not desirable so if you do not want to pay any fees you can still pay at a parking meter using coins or credit card.
Absolutely! However please be advised you will pay a convenience fee each time you start or extend your parking session.
Using ParkNYC
Look for the ParkNYC zone number on the parking meter or parking signs and enter it into the ParkNYC app to get started. Select the amount of time you wish to park and confirm to complete your transaction. There is no need for a paper receipt and nothing to display on the dashboard.
Each side of the street on each block has a unique zone number associated with it. Identify the unique zone number on signs at each end of the block as well on the parking meter.
Use the zone number on the side of the street where your vehicle is parked to avoid a parking summons.
ParkNYC allows you to buy the same increments of time as the meter. Confirm the details of your parking session and start time to complete the transaction in the app.
If you purchase a parking session that is shorter than the maximum time limit for the zone, you will be prompted to extend your time before your session expires. If you wish to extend your time, simply follow the prompts in the app to extend up to the maximum time limit for your zone.
You must extend prior to the expiration of your original parking session.
The City of New York enforces overtime parking regulations. If you choose to park in a space for longer than the posted limit, paid or not, you can be issued a summons by enforcement officers
Once your session expires, you will not be able to extend your parking session or use the ParkNYC app again in the same zone for 30 minutes. This is to discourage overstaying time limits.
ParkNYC follows the posted rules and regulations for each zone. If two-hour parking is the maximum that is all you are allowed to pay for, and you must move your vehicle at the end of your session.
Please check the posted signage to ensure you can legally park for 3 hours at the time of day you are attempting to park. If there are street regulations that prevent parking due to street cleaning or no standing/stopping rules, you may not park at that time.
You can receive a violation for using the incorrect license plate number. You can store up to five license plate numbers in your account. Be sure to select the correct plate number for each session. Users are prompted to confirm the details of their parking sessions in the app. Parking transactions cannot be adjusted once started. Alternatively, you could start a new transaction in the app using the appropriate license plate number to ensure you do not receive a summons.
You cannot change a zone number once your session has begun. Please review all screens and prompts prior to confirming and starting your session. Motorists are reminded to check for signage, restrictions, and rates in effect to avoid a summons.
You must extend your parking prior to it expiring. Also, you may be unable to extend your session if you are outside the zone’s hours of operation or due to a posted parking restriction. A parking session is limited to the time limit displayed on posted signs for that zone. Motorists should check rates, parking restrictions and signage to ensure legal parking and avoid a summons. The app works under the same hours of operation as the meters.
Parking enforcement officers will use your license plate number and zone number to view if you have an active, valid parking session. Please make sure that your license plate information and zone number are correct before creating a parking session. Complete your transaction as soon as you exit your vehicle to avoid receiving a summons!
The ParkNYC app will provide notification to alert you prior to your session ending. Users can configure the app to provide several notifications and messages, whether through the app, text messages or emails. You can configure the app to deliver the messages 30 minutes, 20 minutes, 15 minutes, 10 minutes, or 5 minutes prior to the end of session.
No! Zone numbers are unique to each block and each side of the street. Just as parking regulations differ from one side of the street to another, the zone numbers do as well. Always use the zone number for the side of the street where you parked. An individual block is defined as a single, continuous side of the street. For example, the west side of Broadway between West 76th Street and West 77th Street is identified as Zone # 109564. Failure to enter the correct zone number may result in a summons being issued. No exceptions are made for motorist error. During the transaction, please confirm your session details, including the correct zone number, before formally starting the parking session.
You can view your active parking session from the app or online at parknyc.org. The app provides a countdown clock of time left on your active transaction, as well as any time extension options that are available.
The parking zone number is prominently displayed on each parking meter, on street signage at each end of the individual blockside and within the map on the ParkNYC app. Should you not be able to identify the zone number, you must pay at the meter in accordance with the street regulations.
No. ParkNYC is not a reservation system. It is an alternative payment system, and you should only activate after you park your vehicle.
No. You must start a new parking session using the new zone number.
No. Refunds for unused time are not available.
Regardless of whether you use ParkNYC or the meters, hourly parking rates are identical to the posted regulations and prevailing rates for the area. The summary of NYC parking rates can be found here.
For ParkNYC users who may need to pre-pay prior to regulations start time, select the amount of time prior to the regulation start in addition to the paid parking session. For example, you arrive at a parking location at 8:40 a.m. and there is no street cleaning or regulation prohibiting you from parking, and the parking regulation begins at 9:00 a.m. with a one-hour time limit. Initiate the ParkNYC app and select maximum, which will give you one hour and 20 minutes of parking. You will only for pay for one hour – from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. If you only select one hour, your session would end at 9:40 a.m. and you would only be charged for 40 minutes.
Pre-payment is permitted on a limited basis in certain zones by muni meter and ParkNYC app.
You may prepay the parking rate, one hour prior to the commencement of the posted meter regulatory signage if there are no other restrictive parking regulations posted.
You cannot stop a parking session once you have confirmed and started. Refunds will not be issued for unused time.
You can contact 311 for the above issues.
Motorists using ParkNYC can opt for an eWallet or Pay per Transaction mode. An eWallet mode is a pre-funded account and parking payments are deducted from it. Pay per Transaction allows parking payments charged to your selected payment each time. No funds are held in an account.
eWallet Account
The ParkNYC eWallet is a prefunded account from which individual parking sessions are deducted. There are no individual charges to your credit card for each transaction. The eWallet functions similarly to the E-Z Pass toll program. Motorists fund their eWallet account using a credit/debit card with a minimum of $25.00 up to a maximum of $150.00. Business/commercial fleet operators can prefund accounts in larger increments, a minimum of $100.00 up to a maximum of $1000.00. Buses can prefund accounts with a minimum of $500 up to a maximum of $1000. When your account balance reaches zero, your account will automatically be replenished, using your selected method of payment. There is a convenience fee added to the wallet load only, of $0.05 cents.
Pay per Transaction
Once the account credentials are set up with required information, payment method and license plate(s), each parking payment transaction plus a $0.20 cents convenience fee is charged to your payment method on file. You can change your payment method at any time. You will also be charged the convenience fee each time you extend your parking session in addition to the parking fee. Please note that you can only extend a parking session up to the posted max time.
Yes! All City agencies and services that accept credit card payments are required by the credit card industry to be certified for compliance for standards of security. This certification is known as Payment Card Industry (PCI) certification. The ParkNYC program is committed to protecting customer information. Your financial transactions are encrypted, and your information is managed as specified by PCI rules and regulations.
Passenger accounts are limited to five total license plates under a single account. Commercial fleet accounts are targeted toward larger fleets and commercial vehicle accounts that have different billing and operational constraints.
You cannot request refunds for any user errors. You can only close your eWallet and request the unused balance through the app. If you have an issue with a charge or believe an error occurred, please contact Customer Service 1-800-428-4027.
Using the ParkNYC does not require the placement of proof of payment on the vehicle dashboard. Traffic enforcement agents will use your license plate to search if there is an active paid session for your vehicle. Please ensure that your license plate information and zone ID# are correct for your parking session. In addition, the app stores your parking and payment history for the registered account, which can be printed out or emailed.
You pay for parking transactions by either credit or debit card.
Transactions completed using an individual credit/debit card will show up on your card statements as individual line items and will be deducted from your account once the parking session is completed.
You are allowed up to five individual vehicles on a passenger account. If you wish to add a temporary or dealer tag, regardless of state, please be sure to update the information in your ParkNYC account settings.
No. ParkNYC is based on your license plate information.
Residency is not a requirement to be a user of ParkNYC. However, you will be charged a convenience fee in addition to the parking fee depending on the mode selected for your account.
Your parking history is saved and can be accessed in two ways. To get a receipt of the parking session from the app, go to My Sessions, select Past Activity and you review your parking history. You can view the details, send an email, or obtain a PDF. You can also access your account history by logging in from parknyc.org. Preferences for notification of individual transactions can be accessed in the app by going to my account, preferences and choosing your preference for parking session notification.
The ParkNYC app or mobile web session screen displays the start and end times of your parking session. Additionally, a countdown timer will display the remaining time on your current parking session. You may also configure the app to send confirmations via text or email at the start of a session.
Yes. Your app is set up under a common log-in and password. Up to five vehicles may be registered under a single passenger account. Commercial accounts allow for larger numbers of license plates.
Regardless of whether you use ParkNYC or the meters, hourly parking rates are identical and match the posted regulations. The summary of NYC parking rates can be found here.
ParkNYC does not charge for text messages sent to you, but text messages are subject to standard message and data rates charged by your wireless service provider.
If you are using the ParkNYC app, you can adjust the preferences for notifications and you may turn off all notifications if you prefer. When using the Interactive Voice Response (IVR), you must set your preferences during the initial signup online. IVR users must agree to receive text messages regarding your parking transaction.
Troubleshooting
If for any reason you are unable to pay using the ParkNYC app, you must pay for your parking session at a parking meter. App functionality will not be considered as an excuse not to pay for parking, and you will be summonsed.
If you believe you were charged incorrectly, please call customer support at 1-800-428-4027. Your case will be investigated, and you will be informed of the results.
To report and resolve issues with the app, please call 1-800-428-4027. In addition, ParkNYC requires a good cellular or Wi-Fi signal. The performance of your phone and quality of your wireless service may limit functionality of the app.
If you cannot locate a zone number on either a posted sign or a parking meter you may check the app to find your zone. If you cannot find the zone number in the app, please pay at the parking meter and check for signage indicating if you can park legally otherwise, please find parking elsewhere.
If you received an account locked error message, be aware that we have manually suspended your account due to payment discrepancies. In such cases, please contact us at 1-800-428-4027 for more information.
Enforcement
Your parking session details (not payment details) are sent to NYPD live so that traffic enforcement personnel can compare your license plate number to a database of valid parking sessions in your zone. Therefore, it is critical that you enter the correct zone number and license plate number.
Yes. Even when a meter is broken or missing, you must still pay at a nearby meter or use the app.
The New York City Police Department is responsible for the enforcement of parking regulations citywide. When reviewing your parking summons, make sure the information was correct. For example:
- Did you select and confirm the correct zone number for the parking session?
- Did you select the correct license plate?
- What are the parking violation summons for? Is it something other than failure to pay? No Standing?
If you believe you were issued a summons in error, you can dispute the citation with the New York City Department of Finance, just as you would with any other parking violation. To dispute a citation, follow the instructions on the ticket. You can log on to your account online at http://parknyc.org/ to obtain an official receipt for your parking session.
Business Accounts
A ParkNYC business account allows businesses to have one ParkNYC wallet for all employee parking transactions.
Register your business account at www.ParkNYC.org/business.html. Choose the “Sign Up” link for our quick and easy registration process.
The system will guide you through the prompts to create the primary, administrative account. Next, you will need the names, mobile numbers, license plate numbers, and email addresses for the employees. Employees will be able to set up unique logins and will receive email confirmations of their parking sessions. Please note that only the primary account holder will have full access to the account to make changes or updates. All parking charges made to the account will be processed to the primary ParkNYC Business Account wallet.
Once users are added, use the “Vehicles” link to add license plate numbers for yourself or your sub-account holders. You will have an opportunity to verify that all license plate numbers on file are linked to the users/mobile phone numbers who use them. In the “Vehicle Overview” section, click on the > symbol to choose primary vehicles for each user. The primary vehicle would be the one that they drive most, and the system will offer it first when they create parking transactions.
ParkNYC business account administrators can prefund their ParkNYC wallet with a minimum of $200.00 up to a maximum of $1,000.00.
ParkNYC business account administrators can add an unlimited number of vehicles to your fleet account.
ParkNYC business accounts allow an unlimited number of sub-users. You can associate each user with a unique license plate number or select from existing license plates on your account. When you add a new user to your account, you must provide a unique phone number and email address for that employee. When added, the employee will receive a registration email and a temporary password.
