Colonie's Parking Rules: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles parking rules a little differently. In Colonie, New York, there are 7 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

RV & Boat Parking

Storage of recreational vehicles, motor homes, campers and boats on residential property in the Town of Colonie is governed by the use regulations in Chapter 190 (Zoning and Land Use), Article V of the Town Code. These vehicles must be stored in an enclosed building or in that part of the lot where an accessory garage would be permitted. On-street parking is layered with Chapter 181 (Vehicles and Traffic).

Key details: Zoning Code: Chapter 190 (Zoning and Land Use). Storage Rule: Enclosed bldg or accessory-garage area. Commercial Veh Ban: >1 ton capacity / >3 ton gross. On-Street Rule: Chapter 181 Article III. Enforcement: Building and Fire Services.

Storing an RV, boat or camper outside the permitted accessory-garage area in a Colonie residential district is a Chapter 190 zoning violation enforceable by the Building and Fire Services Department. The Town can issue a notice of violation, refuse a Certificate of Occupancy, and seek civil penalties or injunctive relief under the Town Code and NY Town Law §268. On-street parking violations under Chapter 181 are payable parking tickets with vehicles subject to tow under Article IV.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Colonie actively enforces its rv & boat parking requirements.

Commercial Vehicle Restrictions

Commercial vehicle storage in residential areas of the Town of Colonie is governed by Chapter 190 (Zoning and Land Use) Article V (Use Regulations), which prohibits the parking, garaging or storing of industrial equipment or commercial vehicles, trailers or semi-trailers having a carrying capacity in excess of one ton or a gross weight in excess of three tons in residential districts. On-street commercial parking is regulated by Chapter 181 (Vehicles and Traffic).

Key details: Residential Ban: >1 ton capacity / >3 ton gross. Zoning Code: Chapter 190, Article V. On-Street Code: Chapter 181, Article III. Restricted Streets: Schedules IX and X (§ 181-38). Town Authority: NY Town Law §261 / VAT §1660.

Storing a commercial vehicle, trailer or semi-trailer over the size thresholds in a Colonie residential district is a Chapter 190 zoning violation enforceable by the Building and Fire Services Department, which can issue notices of violation and pursue civil enforcement under NY Town Law §268, with each day of continuing violation generally treated as a separate offense. On-street commercial vehicle violations under Chapter 181 carry parking-ticket fines and tow authority under Article IV (Removal and Storage of Vehicles).

This is one of the stricter rules in Colonie's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

Driveway Rules

Driveway and curb cut work in the Town of Colonie public right-of-way requires a Highway Work Permit from the Town's Division of Highway under Chapter 167 (Streets and Sidewalks) of the Town Code. Driveways on state highways require a separate NYSDOT residential or commercial driveway permit. Construction must comply with the New York State Uniform Code at 19 NYCRR.

Key details: Town Permit: Highway Work Permit (Div. of Highway). Town Fee: $500 first 25 ft + $20/ft. Permit Charge: $100 retained. State Highways: NYSDOT Residential/Commercial Permit. Building Code: 19 NYCRR (IBC/IRC).

Constructing or modifying a driveway or curb cut in the Town right-of-way without a Highway Work Permit is enforceable by the Division of Highway and the Town Attorney, with the Town authorized to restore the right-of-way at the owner's expense and bring civil enforcement under the Town Code and NY Town Law §268. Driveway work in a state right-of-way without a NYSDOT permit is enforceable under NY Highway Law §52. Off-street parking design violations in the zoning ordinance are enforced by Building and Fire Services through stop-work orders and denial of Certificate of Occupancy.

Overnight Parking

The Town of Colonie does not impose a blanket citywide overnight parking ban, but on-street overnight parking is subject to streets listed in Schedule IX (no parking at any time) and Schedule X (no parking during posted hours) under § 181-38 of Chapter 181, plus snow removal restrictions enforced by the Highway Superintendent. Residential storage of RVs and commercial vehicles continues to be capped by the Chapter 190 zoning rules.

Key details: Town-Wide Ban: None - by posted schedule only. All-Hours Bans: Schedule IX (§ 181-38). Hour-Limited Bans: Schedule X (§ 181-38). Snow Removal: Highway Supt + § 181-40 tow. Curb Rule: Within 12 inches (parallel).

Overnight parking on streets listed in Schedule IX or in Schedule X during the posted hours is a Chapter 181 violation enforceable as a parking ticket by the Town of Colonie Police Department. Vehicles obstructing snow removal or other Town operations are subject to removal and storage under Article IV (§ 181-40+), with the owner liable for tow and storage costs. Residential storage of RVs outside the accessory-garage area or storage of oversized commercial vehicles is enforced separately by Building and Fire Services under Chapter 190.

EV Charging

Electric vehicle charging in the Town of Colonie is regulated through the New York State Energy Conservation Construction Code (NYECCC) within 19 NYCRR, which establishes EV-ready requirements for new construction, and through the Town of Colonie Zoning Ordinance (Chapter 190). The Capital District Transportation Committee's Colonie EV Zoning Guidance white paper provides the Town's framework for siting EV charging stations.

Key details: State Code: NYECCC (19 NYCRR). Local Code: Chapter 190, Article IX Design Stds. Permit Authority: Building and Fire Services Dept. Electrical Standard: NEC Article 625 (EVSE). Town Guidance: CDTC Colonie EV White Paper.

Installing EV charging equipment without the required electrical permit violates 19 NYCRR Part 1203 and is enforceable by the Town of Colonie Building and Fire Services Department through stop-work orders, fines and refusal to grant a Certificate of Occupancy until inspected. Failing to meet the NYECCC EV-ready percentages on new construction is enforceable at building-permit issuance and Certificate of Occupancy stages. Commercial EVSE installed without site plan review, where required by Chapter 190 Article XI, is enforceable as a zoning violation under NY Town Law §268.

Abandoned Vehicles

Abandoned vehicles in the Town of Colonie are handled under New York Vehicle and Traffic Law §1224 (Abandoned Vehicles), which makes the town in which a vehicle is abandoned the local authority entitled to custody, together with the local removal authority in Chapter 181 (Vehicles and Traffic) Article IV (Removal and Storage of Vehicles). Unlicensed or junked vehicles on residential property may also be a Chapter 190 zoning violation.

Key details: State Law: NY VAT §1224 (Abandoned Vehicles). Local Authority: Town of Colonie (under §1224). Local Code: Chapter 181 Article IV (§ 181-40+). Notice/Auction: 10 days from notice. Cost Recovery: Last owner / claimant pays.

Under NY VAT §1224, owners of abandoned vehicles are liable for removal and storage costs, and unclaimed vehicles can be sold at auction after ten days' notice. Town tickets and tow charges issued under Chapter 181 Article IV must be paid before a vehicle is released. Storing junked or unlicensed vehicles in residential districts in violation of Chapter 190 is enforced by the Building and Fire Services Department with notices of violation and civil enforcement under NY Town Law §268, with each day of continuing violation generally treated as a separate offense.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Colonie actively enforces its abandoned vehicles requirements.

Street Parking Limits

On-street parking in the Town of Colonie is governed by Chapter 181 (Vehicles and Traffic) of the Town Code, adopted by the Town Board on May 5, 1988, together with the New York Vehicle and Traffic Law (NY VAT). Article III (Parking, Standing and Stopping) requires parallel parking in the direction of lawful traffic and within marked lines. Schedule IX and Schedule X under § 181-38 list streets where parking is prohibited at all times or during posted hours.

Key details: Local Code: Chapter 181 (adopted 5-5-1988). Article III: Parking, Standing and Stopping. Curb Distance: Within 12 inches (parallel). All-Times Bans: Schedule IX (§ 181-38). Hour-Limited Bans: Schedule X (§ 181-38).

Parking ticket fines for Chapter 181 violations are issued by the Town of Colonie Police Department and payable through the Town's parking violations bureau under § 1690 of the NY Vehicle and Traffic Law. Vehicles in violation of posted no-parking restrictions, obstructing traffic, or parked during declared emergencies are subject to removal and storage under Article IV (§ 181-40 through § 181-44) of Chapter 181, with owners liable for tow and storage costs before recovering the vehicle.

The Bottom Line

Colonie is tougher than many cities when it comes to parking rules. Out of the 7 rules covered here, 3 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Colonie, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

All of the above reflects Colonie's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.