NYC Parking Ticket Ninja

A guided appeal builder for NYC parking violations

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NYC parking violation code

Code 38: Failure to Display Muni-Meter Receipt

Code 38 — Failure to Display Muni-Meter Receipt. NYC Parking Ticket Ninja provides a curated appeal guide for this code, with the relevant statute citations and a question set targeted to the elements the City must prove.

Typical fine

$35–$65

Appeal deadline

30 days

From the issue date on the ticket

Adjudicated by

NYC DOF Parking Violations Bureau

Build an appeal for code 38

The guided interview asks only the questions relevant to code 38, ranks the viable defenses based on your answers, and produces a PDF appeal letter you can file online, by mail, or in person.

Start guided appeal for code 38

Governing law

  • NYC Traffic Rules § 4-08(h) (Muni-Meter and parking-meter rules)
  • NYC Administrative Code § 19-167 (Defective-meter exception)

What the City must show

To sustain a code 38 citation, the City has to establish each of the following on the record:

  1. The space was metered and required a Muni-Meter receipt or a paid mobile session at the time.
  2. No valid receipt was visible on the dashboard, and no valid mobile session covered the time.
  3. The meter (or a working meter within the regulated zone) was operational.

Common defenses

  • Valid payment was made

    The vehicle was lawfully paid for at the meter or via the ParkNYC app at the time of the alleged violation.

  • Meter was broken or out of service

    The Muni-Meter would not accept payment or issue a receipt, and no working meter was reasonably available.

  • Mistaken identity / wrong vehicle

    The plate, vehicle description, or other identifying information on the ticket does not match the vehicle, so the citation cannot be enforced against this owner.

  • Incorrect time or date on ticket

    The time or date recorded on the ticket cannot be reconciled with when the vehicle was actually at the location.

  • Defective ticket — missing or illegible required information

    The ticket fails to record the information required by NYC Admin Code § 19-203, depriving the operator of fair notice.

Frequently asked questions

What is NYC parking violation code 38?

Code 38 is the NYC Department of Finance designation for "Failure to Display Muni-Meter Receipt". It is issued when a vehicle is parked, standing, or stopped in violation of the cited rule.

How much is the fine for NYC parking code 38?

The typical fine for code 38 is $35–$65. Late-payment penalties can roughly double the amount if the ticket is not paid or contested within the appeal window.

What's the deadline to appeal a code 38 ticket?

NYC requires parking-ticket appeals within 30 days of the issue date. Appeals filed after the 30-day window may be accepted only on a showing of good cause.

Where do I file an appeal for code 38?

Appeals are submitted to NYC Department of Finance Parking Violations Bureau. You can file online at nyc.gov/payparking, by mail, or in person at a DOF Business Center. The 30-day deadline applies regardless of forum.

What defenses work best for a code 38 ticket?

For code 38, our engine considers: Valid payment was made, Meter was broken or out of service, Mistaken identity / wrong vehicle, Incorrect time or date on ticket. The strongest defense depends on the facts — start the guided interview to see which apply to your situation.

Related codes

See all NYC parking codes