Amsterdam’s proposed parking rules would leave the $40 starting fine in place for most violations but add penalties for tickets left unpaid. The proposal also sets higher starting fines for certain violations. The Daily Gazette reported the proposed schedule and current fine amounts.
What the proposal would charge
A ticket for parking near a fire hydrant or in a fire lane would start at $75. If unpaid, the fine would increase after 30, 60 and 90 days; a court conviction could bring a higher fine. For parking in a handicap zone or on a street during a declared snow emergency, the proposed starting fine is $100. Those penalties would also increase at 30-, 60- and 90-day intervals, and a conviction could bring a higher fine. Handicap violations would carry an additional $30 surcharge. These proposed amounts were reported by The Daily Gazette.
For other parking violations, the initial $40 fine would remain, but proposed unpaid-ticket penalties would increase at 30-, 60- and 90-day intervals. A court conviction could result in a higher fine. The city currently raises a $40 fine to $50 if it is unpaid after 48 hours and to $60 after 96 hours; convictions can carry fines of up to $250, according to the same Gazette report.
Unpaid tickets and registration renewals
A separate tool already allows Amsterdam to connect unpaid tickets with vehicle-registration renewals. Under the city’s participation in the DMV’s Portal for Registration Electronic Enforcement and Display (PREED), three unpaid parking tickets can prevent an owner from renewing a vehicle registration. The policy took effect January 1, 2025, according to NEWS10. New York’s DMV says parking-ticket disputes must be addressed with the locality that issued the ticket, and that a locality may notify the DMV of unpaid tickets, potentially blocking or suspending registration: New York State DMV.
A proposed change to collections
Amsterdam is considering hiring a vendor to manage collections on outstanding violations and process registration holds, while city staff would continue to handle initial fines. The vendor, which works with other Capital Region municipalities, is expected to receive 30% of penalties collected on outstanding violations, with no upfront cost to the city. The Daily Gazette reported those anticipated terms.
Police Chief Joseph Spencer told the Gazette that collection work has involved the police department, clerk’s office and controller’s office. Staff have increased efforts over the past year and a half, including sending notices and seeking registration holds. Spencer said he did not have a count of unpaid tickets because the three offices handle the process separately. He hopes to present a vendor contract to city officials next month if the ordinance is adopted.
Ticket numbers and council hearing
Amsterdam police issue about 1,000 parking tickets annually, with most violations occurring in winter, the Gazette reported. Officers issued 548 tickets for alternate-side parking violations and 104 for prohibited road parking during declared snow emergencies in 2023. In 2024, the respective totals were 500 and 45; Spencer attributed the decrease in snow-emergency tickets to milder winter weather. He told the Gazette that tickets had often gone unanswered without consequences in earlier years. Mayor Michael Cinquanti said a consequence was needed to change behavior and that residents should follow the law, according to the report.
The Amsterdam Common Council has scheduled a public hearing on the proposed code changes for 5:55 p.m. November 2, before its regular 6 p.m. meeting. The meeting was moved a day earlier than usual because of Election Day, according to The Daily Gazette.
