New York City Council has given the green light to a bill that will require the creation of new overnight truck parking spaces in industrial business zones across the city.

Why it matters: Truckers in NYC have long faced a big problem finding safe, legal places to park at night. This shortage often leaves drivers with no other choice than to risk tickets, towing, or parking in neighborhoods where trucks don’t belong.

• The new rule forces the city’s Department of Transportation to set up curbside overnight parking specifically for commercial vehicles in these industrial zones.
• Only commercial trucks are allowed to use them, not passenger cars.
• Parking is allowed for at least 10 straight hours overnight but not during the day between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Outreach: Before opening up these new spots, city officials must notify both local community boards and council members and let them give feedback. The city also has to inform trucking companies and drivers about the new zones.

• The new overnight parking program will expire in 2030 unless it gets renewed.
• An annual report will track how these parking areas are used and how they affect both truckers and residential neighborhoods, according to New York City Council records.

This bill should ease parking headaches for truck drivers who keep New York City moving, while responding to resident complaints about trucks parked on residential streets.