NYC Parking Rules for Film Shoots: What You Actually Can and Can’t Do
If you’ve ever been screamed at by a UPS driver, ticketed by NYPD, or had a cube truck towed mid-load-in, you already know: parking in NYC during a shoot is a contact sport. And yet somehow, every production thinks they’ve found a new hack to hold spots, skirt rules, or “just park there for five minutes.”
So here’s what you actually can and can’t do when it comes to film / photo shoot parking in NYC — straight from the rulebook, not from what your transpo captain told you over walkie.
🅿️ Can You Post No Parking Signs for Your Shoot?
Yes — if you’ve got a valid MOFTB film permit that includes permission to post. Parking is not automatic. You must request it during your application and it needs to be approved.
Once approved, you’ll be issued official MOFTB No Parking signs that must be:
Posted a full 48 hours in advance
Clearly marked with date, time, production company, permit number
Signed and dated by the person who posted them
Fake signs = real fines. Don’t DIY a piece of paper and hope the City doesn’t notice.
➡️ MOFTB Parking Signage Guidelines
📅 How Far in Advance Can You Post No Parking?
48 hours minimum is the rule. You can post no earlier than 5 days in advance (anything earlier is likely to be ignored or pulled down). The sweet spot is 2–4 days before your shoot, and it must be done during daylight hours so residents can see it.
Best practice:
Have your location team post signs and photograph them with time stamps, street signs, and cross streets visible. You’ll want those receipts when someone parks in your hero spot and claims “they didn’t see the sign.”
🚛 Can You Hold Spots Overnight?
Technically, yes — but only if you’ve posted legally and it’s within the permit window.
If your No Parking signs say “8am to 10pm,” you can’t hold that spot at 2am for your early crew call. If your shoot spans multiple days, you must list those dates on the signs. You can’t post for Tuesday and expect to block traffic Monday night.
NYPD will ticket and/or tow any vehicle (even production vehicles) parked outside the approved time range or improperly posted.
Pro tip:
If you're planning overnight holds, loop in the local precinct ahead of time via the NYPD Movie/TV Unit — it can save you from a late-night confrontation with a beat cop who wasn’t briefed.
➡️ NYPD Movie/TV Unit Contact Info
🚫 Can You Park in Commercial or No Standing Zones?
Only if:
Your permit explicitly allows it
You’re within your permitted hours
You’ve posted proper signage
Otherwise, you’re just another illegally parked vehicle. Don’t assume “we’re a production” gets you a pass.
And no — you can’t block:
Bus stops
Bike lanes
Fire hydrants
Crosswalks
Active driveways
School loading zones
Not even if “you’ll only be there for 10 minutes.” That’s a quick way to get booted or dragged across Citizen App.
🛑 What Happens If a Civilian Parks in a Posted Spot?
You can’t tow them. You also can’t block them in, threaten them, or put cones on their roof.
Here’s what you can do:
Call your NYPD Movie/TV Unit officer on file
Report it as an active violation of permitted space
Hope they send an officer to issue a summons or tow
Have a backup plan if it doesn’t happen in time
Bottom line: You don’t own the street — the City just lets you borrow it with permission.
✅ Production Parking: What You Can Do (If You’re Smart)
Request adequate parking when applying for your MOFTB permit
Post signs properly — photo evidence, timestamps, clear markings
Use lockups and PAs to keep priority spaces clear
Communicate with local precincts when planning overnight or sensitive setups
Budget for a parking coordinator or dedicated transpo PA on big days
🚨 Fines & Penalties for Parking Violations
Improper signage: $50–$200
Unpermitted vehicle parking: $115 per vehicle
Obstruction or illegal zone parking: Up to $250
Permit revocation for repeated violations
🧠 Take This With You
Every NYC shoot has at least one PA who thinks they’re a traffic cop and one teamster who thinks they can “just pull in real quick.” Don’t let that be the reason your production gets slapped with fines — or worse, loses future permitting privileges.
Parking is a privilege in this city — not a given.
Plan like it matters, and your shoot won’t get stuck on cinder blocks.
Need help navigating permits or want a done-for-you parking plan?
White Wall Locations offers full parking logistics support, from mapping and signage to NYPD coordination and overnight hold strategies. Hit us up — we’ll save your truck, your budget, and your blood pressure.
