N.Y.C. Takes Steps to Stop Parking Placard Abuse

Transit and cycling advocates say fake and misused placards result in crowded streets and limit mobility.

1 minute read

March 1, 2019, 7:00 AM PST

By Camille Fink


New York City Traffic

CC0 Public Domain / pxhere

Joe Anuta writes that the de Blasio administration has plans to crack down on abuse of city-issued parking placards. Placards are currently laminated cards that can be duplicated, and enforcement of parking regulations has been lax because police officers do not want to write citations for other city employees.

"A replacement system called Pay-by-Plate will be rolled out in 2021 and will allow traffic enforcement agents to scan a license plate and immediately determine whether the owner has a valid placard, is authorized to park in the spot and even if the meter has been paid," says Anuta.

However, critics say the best solution would be to reduce the number of placards significantly. Currently, about 125,000 placards have been issued for 10,000 parking spaces. Placard users often park in and block bike and bus lanes, impeding traffic and adding to congestion throughout the city.

Thursday, February 21, 2019 in Politico

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 9, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Map of Haussmann's redesign of Paris in the 1850s through 1870s under Napoleon III.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking

Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

June 30, 2025 - Tom Sanchez

View of dense apartment buildings on Seattle waterfront with high-rise buildings in background.

King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents

The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.

5 hours ago - Real Change

Aerial view of suburban housing near Las Vegas, Nevada.

Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing

Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.

6 hours ago - Shelterforce Magazine

Green bike share bikes parked in a row on a commercial street with outdoor dining and greenery.

Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive

Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.

7 hours ago - Cities Today