Kings County, NY Parking Rules: Dibs & Space Saving (2026)

Unlike Boston, Chicago, or Pittsburgh — where a folk practice of claiming a shoveled parking space with a chair, cone, or bucket is widely tolerated — Brooklyn and all of NYC prohibit any object placed in the public right-of-way to reserve parking. NYC Administrative Code §19-175 bans placing obstructions on the street, and DSNY rules prohibit placing private furniture, cones, or debris on public roadways. After snowstorms, DSNY crews and NYPD routinely remove chairs, milk crates, and traffic cones left out to save spots. NYC's dominant parking rhythm is driven by Alternate-Side Parking for street sweeping (NYC Admin Code §20-241), which forces every block to cycle cars weekly regardless of weather. Culturally, 'dibs' is not recognized and neighbors typically dispute it rather than honor it. During declared snow emergencies, DOT may also suspend ASP and ban parking on snow emergency routes marked with red/blue signs. Owners who damage another driver's vehicle trying to 'defend' a dibs spot can face criminal mischief charges.