Hempstead, NY Parking Rules: Street Parking Limits (2026)

Chapter 198 of the Hempstead Code is titled the "Tow-Away Zone Law" in § 198-1. It comes from L.L. No. 27-1992, adopted 5-19-1992 and effective 5-26-1992. It is not a townwide parking rule. Section 198-2 instead lists, community by community and street by street, the exact places where the stopping, standing and parking prohibitions apply, and each listed place is designated a "tow-away zone." The lettered groups include Island Park (A), Garden City East (K) and Inwood (L), and entries were added by later local laws, the most recent shown in the file effective 9-30-2016.

Each entry names a side of the street and a measured stretch. On Austin Boulevard in Island Park, one east-side entry starts at a point 186 feet north of the north curbline of Broadway and runs north for a distance of 199 feet. Several entries print the sign wording the Town uses: "No stopping here to corner," "No stopping anytime," "No parking anytime," and, on the east side of Pettit Place, "No parking 8:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m." Roger Avenue in Inwood is listed on its south side, from the west curbline of Gates Avenue west to its terminus.

Signs decide where the chapter operates. Under § 198-3 its provisions are effective when the locations specified in § 198-2 have been marked and designated by signs giving notice of the tow-away zone.

Enforcement runs through the police. Under § 198-4, once a police officer issues a notice of parking violation or a notice of traffic infraction for breaking a stopping, standing or parking prohibition at a listed location, any police officer is authorized to remove the unattended vehicle, or have the Town or the Town's authorized towing agent remove it, and then store it.

Under § 198-5 the vehicle is not released to the registered owner or authorized operator until the charges are paid: $100 for towing by apparatus other than a flatbed, or $125 for flatbed removal, each including the first 24 hours of storage or any fraction. After that, storage is $10 per day or any fraction outside or $25 per day or any fraction inside, and a $50 administrative service charge is payable to the Town on top of the tow and storage charges. Section 198-5(B) adds that these charges are in addition to any other fees, fines or penalties imposed by law.

The chapter's general references point to Chapter 174 (snow emergencies), Chapter 183 (tow cars), Chapter 190 (speed limits) and Chapter 192 (weight restrictions).