New York City parking is often described as a high-stakes game of musical chairs. For residents and visitors alike, understanding the Alternate Side Parking (ASP) rules is the difference between a stress-free morning and a $65 ticket or a towed vehicle. If you are looking for the current status of ASP, the most immediate answer is that rules are generally in effect Monday through Saturday unless a specific holiday or emergency suspension is declared by the city.

Understanding the Alternate Side Parking System in NYC

Alternate Side Parking, often abbreviated as ASP, is a set of regulations primarily designed to allow New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) mechanical brooms to clean the streets. Most residential streets in the five boroughs have signs marked with a "P" crossed by a broom, indicating specific days and times when parking is prohibited on one side of the street.

The system is intricate. In some neighborhoods, you might only need to move your car once a week, while in others, the schedule demands moving it multiple times. The logic is simple: the city cannot clean under a parked car. Therefore, vehicles must be cleared so the sweeper can reach the curb, preventing debris from clogging catch basins and keeping the city’s drainage systems functional.

How to Check the Current ASP Status Today

Before diving into the long-term calendar, it is essential to know how to verify if ASP is active right now. While calendars provide scheduled holiday breaks, the city often suspends rules unexpectedly due to snow, heavy rain, or public emergencies.

Official Real-Time Channels

There are three primary ways to confirm the status of street cleaning on any given day:

  1. NYC 311 Portal: This is the city's primary hub for all non-emergency services. You can visit the official 311 website or use the 311 mobile app. The "Buildings, Safety & Health" or "Transportation" sections usually feature a prominent banner indicating the day's parking status.
  2. Social Media Alerts: The @NYCASP account on X (formerly Twitter) is the most reactive source for status changes. If a sudden snowstorm hits at 3:00 AM, this is where the suspension will be announced first.
  3. Notify NYC: This is the city’s official emergency alert system. You can sign up for text or email notifications specifically for Alternate Side Parking.

It is a common sight in New York to see drivers sitting in their cars, waiting for the sweeper to pass. In many neighborhoods, if the sweeper has completed its run, drivers will reclaim their spots. However, legally, you are not supposed to park until the time period posted on the sign has fully expired, even if the broom has already come and gone.

Complete 2025 NYC Alternate Side Parking Suspension Calendar

The city suspends ASP for dozens of religious and legal holidays every year. Below is the comprehensive list of scheduled suspensions for 2025.

January to March 2025

  • January 1 (Wednesday): New Year’s Day (Major Legal Holiday)
  • January 6 (Monday): Three Kings’ Day
  • January 20 (Monday): Martin Luther King Jr.’s Birthday
  • January 28 (Tuesday): Lunar New Year’s Eve
  • January 29 (Wednesday): Lunar New Year
  • February 12 (Wednesday): Lincoln’s Birthday
  • February 17 (Monday): Washington’s Birthday (Presidents' Day)
  • March 5 (Wednesday): Ash Wednesday
  • March 14 (Friday): Purim
  • March 31 (Monday): Idul-Fitr (Eid al-Fitr)

April to June 2025

  • April 1 (Tuesday): Idul-Fitr (Eid al-Fitr)
  • April 13 (Sunday): Passover (First Day) - Note: ASP is never in effect on Sundays anyway.
  • April 14 (Monday): Passover (Second Day)
  • April 17 (Thursday): Holy Thursday (Western and Orthodox)
  • April 18 (Friday): Good Friday (Western and Orthodox)
  • April 19 (Saturday): Passover (7th Day)
  • April 20 (Sunday): Passover (8th Day)
  • May 26 (Monday): Memorial Day (Major Legal Holiday)
  • May 29 (Thursday): Solemnity of the Ascension
  • June 2 (Monday): Shavuot (Day 1)
  • June 3 (Tuesday): Shavuot (Day 2)
  • June 6 (Friday): Idul-Adha (Eid al-Adha)
  • June 7 (Saturday): Idul-Adha (Eid al-Adha)
  • June 19 (Thursday): Juneteenth

July to September 2025

  • July 4 (Friday): Independence Day (Major Legal Holiday)
  • August 3 (Sunday): Tisha B'av
  • August 15 (Friday): Feast of the Assumption
  • September 1 (Monday): Labor Day (Major Legal Holiday)
  • September 23 (Tuesday): Rosh Hashanah
  • September 24 (Wednesday): Rosh Hashanah

October to December 2025

  • October 2 (Thursday): Yom Kippur
  • October 7 (Tuesday): Succoth (Day 1)
  • October 8 (Wednesday): Succoth (Day 2)
  • October 13 (Monday): Columbus Day / Indigenous Peoples' Day
  • October 14 (Tuesday): Shemini Atzereth
  • October 15 (Wednesday): Simchat Torah
  • October 20 (Monday): Diwali
  • November 1 (Saturday): All Saints’ Day
  • November 4 (Tuesday): Election Day
  • November 11 (Tuesday): Veterans Day
  • November 27 (Thursday): Thanksgiving Day (Major Legal Holiday)
  • December 8 (Monday): Immaculate Conception
  • December 25 (Thursday): Christmas Day (Major Legal Holiday)

Complete 2026 NYC Alternate Side Parking Suspension Calendar

Looking ahead to 2026, the calendar shifts slightly based on the lunar cycles for certain religious holidays and the day of the week for legal holidays.

January to March 2026

  • January 1 (Thursday): New Year’s Day (Major Legal Holiday)
  • January 6 (Tuesday): Three Kings’ Day
  • January 19 (Monday): Martin Luther King Jr.’s Birthday
  • February 12 (Thursday): Lincoln’s Birthday
  • February 16 (Monday): Washington’s Birthday (Presidents' Day) / Lunar New Year’s Eve
  • February 17 (Tuesday): Lunar New Year
  • February 18 (Wednesday): Ash Wednesday / Losar (Tibetan New Year)
  • March 3 (Tuesday): Purim
  • March 20 (Friday): Idul-Fitr (Eid al-Fitr)
  • March 21 (Saturday): Idul-Fitr (Eid al-Fitr)

April to June 2026

  • April 2 (Thursday): Holy Thursday / Passover (Day 1)
  • April 3 (Friday): Good Friday / Passover (Day 2)
  • April 8 (Wednesday): Passover (7th Day)
  • April 9 (Thursday): Passover (8th Day) / Holy Thursday (Orthodox)
  • April 10 (Friday): Good Friday (Orthodox)
  • May 14 (Thursday): Solemnity of the Ascension
  • May 22 (Friday): Shavuot (Day 1)
  • May 23 (Saturday): Shavuot (Day 2)
  • May 25 (Monday): Memorial Day (Major Legal Holiday)
  • May 27 (Wednesday): Idul-Adha (Eid al-Adha)
  • May 28 (Thursday): Idul-Adha (Eid al-Adha)
  • June 19 (Friday): Juneteenth

July to September 2026

  • July 3 (Friday): Independence Day (Observed - Major Legal Holiday rules apply)
  • July 4 (Saturday): Independence Day (Major Legal Holiday)
  • July 23 (Thursday): Tisha B'av
  • August 15 (Saturday): Feast of the Assumption
  • September 7 (Monday): Labor Day (Major Legal Holiday)
  • September 12 (Saturday): Rosh Hashanah
  • September 13 (Sunday): Rosh Hashanah

October to December 2026

  • October 3 (Saturday): Shemini Atzereth
  • October 4 (Sunday): Simchat Torah
  • October 12 (Monday): Columbus Day / Indigenous Peoples' Day
  • November 1 (Sunday): All Saints’ Day
  • November 3 (Tuesday): Election Day
  • November 8 (Sunday): Diwali
  • November 11 (Wednesday): Veterans Day
  • November 26 (Thursday): Thanksgiving Day (Major Legal Holiday)
  • December 8 (Tuesday): Immaculate Conception
  • December 25 (Friday): Christmas Day (Major Legal Holiday)

The Difference Between "Major Legal Holidays" and Other Suspensions

One of the most common mistakes NYC drivers make is assuming that because street cleaning (ASP) is suspended, they don't have to pay the parking meter. This is not always the case. The city classifies holidays into two categories.

1. Major Legal Holidays

On Major Legal Holidays, the following rules apply:

  • Alternate Side Parking: Suspended.
  • Parking Meters: Suspended. You do not have to pay the meter.
  • No Parking/No Standing/No Stopping Signs: These regulations are suspended unless the sign normally specifies it is in effect seven days a week (e.g., "No Standing Anytime").

The Major Legal Holidays are: New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.

2. All Other Holidays (Religious and Legal)

On all other holidays listed in the calendars above (such as Purim, Ash Wednesday, or Columbus Day):

  • Alternate Side Parking: Suspended.
  • Parking Meters: IN EFFECT. You must pay the meter at the required times.
  • All Other Regulations: Remain in effect. You cannot park in "No Standing" or "No Parking" zones that are not part of the ASP sweeping schedule.

Weather Emergencies and Snow Suspensions

NYC street cleaning is often the first thing to be canceled when the forecast calls for significant snow. The Department of Sanitation makes these decisions to focus their workforce on snow removal and salting.

When snow is on the ground, the city may suspend ASP for several days or even weeks. This is not necessarily a "gift" to drivers. The city suspends rules because the plow trucks need to push snow to the curbside, which often burials parked cars under several feet of snow and ice.

During these periods, it is critical to stay tuned to the 311 app. Sometimes the city will announce "ASP Suspended, but meters in effect." Other times, in a state of emergency, all parking regulations might be waived, though this is rare.

The "Snow Emergency Street" Exception

Some major thoroughfares are designated as "Snow Emergency Streets." If a Snow Emergency is officially declared, it is illegal to park on these streets at all. This allows the city to keep critical paths clear for ambulances, fire trucks, and plows. If your car is on a Snow Emergency Street during a declared emergency, it will be towed rapidly. Look for red and white signs that explicitly state "Snow Emergency Street - No Standing During Emergency."

Practical Tips from a Long-Time New York Driver

Having spent years navigating the parking landscape in boroughs like Brooklyn and Queens, I have learned that logic does not always prevail—the signage does. Here are some experiential tips to help you survive the "Broom Dance."

1. The 15-Minute Grace Period

The city has a policy regarding the start of parking violations. However, do not rely on it. If the sign says cleaning starts at 8:30 AM, try to be out of the spot by 8:25 AM. Traffic Enforcement Agents (TEAs) are often highly efficient, and a ticket can be issued within seconds of the regulation start time.

2. The "Sitting in the Car" Strategy

In many residential neighborhoods, drivers will sit in their cars during the 90-minute ASP window. This is generally tolerated as long as you move when the sweeper truck actually appears. You pull out, let the broom pass, and then pull back into the spot. However, technically, you can still be ticketed because the regulation is for the time duration, not just the act of cleaning. If you encounter a strict enforcement officer, "staying with the car" won't save you from a ticket.

3. Decoding the "Double Parking" Culture

In certain parts of Upper Manhattan and the Bronx, a unique "culture" of double parking exists during ASP hours. Residents on the "cleaning side" will move their cars to the "non-cleaning side" and double park them, creating a narrow lane in the middle of the street. While the police often turn a blind eye to this during the specific sweeping window to facilitate cleaning, it is still illegal. If you double park, you risk a ticket, and more importantly, you risk blocking an emergency vehicle. If you do this, you must leave a note with your phone number or stay within sight of the car.

4. Reading the Signs Carefully

One pole can have three different signs. Always read from top to bottom.

  • The top sign usually takes precedence (like a "No Standing" zone).
  • The middle sign might be the ASP broom sign.
  • The bottom sign might be a meter rule. If any one of those signs prohibits parking at the current time, you cannot park there.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is Alternate Side Parking suspended today for rain?

Generally, no. Rain does not stop the mechanical brooms. Only extreme weather like flooding, hurricanes, or heavy snow that prevents the trucks from reaching the curb will result in a suspension.

Do I have to pay the meter on Sundays in NYC?

Alternate Side Parking and parking meter regulations are not in effect on Sundays. You can park at meters for free and do not have to worry about street cleaning. However, "No Standing Anytime" or other 7-day restrictions still apply.

What happens if a holiday falls on a Sunday?

If a Major Legal Holiday falls on a Sunday, it is usually observed by the city on the following Monday. In that case, the Major Legal Holiday rules (including free meters) will apply to that Monday.

How much is an ASP ticket in NYC?

As of current regulations, most Alternate Side Parking violations cost $65 in Manhattan (below 96th Street) and around $60-$65 in other boroughs and Upper Manhattan. This is a significant expense that can easily be avoided by following the calendar.

Can I park as soon as the sweeper passes?

Legally, no. You must wait until the time posted on the sign expires. If the sign says "8:30 AM - 10:00 AM," and the sweeper passes at 9:00 AM, you are still technically liable for a ticket until 10:00 AM. In practice, many people park after the broom passes, but it is a risk.

Does ASP apply to motorcycles?

Yes. Motorcycles are considered passenger vehicles in New York City and must follow all Alternate Side Parking regulations, including moving for the street sweeper.

Conclusion and Summary

Managing Alternate Side Parking in New York City requires a combination of vigilance and planning. By keeping the 2025 and 2026 holiday calendars handy, you can avoid the most common pitfalls of NYC parking. Remember the golden rule: Street cleaning suspensions do not automatically mean meter suspensions. Unless it is one of the six Major Legal Holidays (New Year's, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, or Christmas), assume you still need to pay the meter.

Always verify the status via NYC 311 or the @NYCASP social media feed, especially during the winter months when snow can change the rules in an instant. Parking in New York is never easy, but with the right information, it doesn't have to be a source of constant fines and frustration. Stay informed, read every sign on the block, and when in doubt, move the car.