The Great NYC Driveway Detective: On the Case of the Legally Parkable Puddle Jumper
Ah, New York City. Where dreams are made of, and parking spots are about as common as unicorns. But fear not, intrepid driver! Even the concrete jungle offers havens for your four-wheeled friend, sometimes disguised as... driveways? But wait! Not just any driveway will do. In this asphalt odyssey, some driveways are more equal than others, and parking in front of an illegal one could land you a ticket faster than you can say "alternate side parking." So, how do you, the discerning driver, separate the legal lane from the parking violation pain?
Step 1: Embrace Your Inner Sherlock Holmes (But Ditch the Deerstalker)
Forget the magnifying glass, we're going digital! Here's where your phone becomes your trusty magnifying app. Head to the NYC Department of Buildings website, a treasure trove of information (though slightly less exciting than a pirate's booty).
Introducing DOB NOW: Build, Your Gateway to Driveway Legality
This isn't your grandma's bingo hall, it's the key to driveway nirvana. Search for "DOB NOW: Build" [search NYC Department of Buildings permit], and prepare to unleash your inner data detective.
Step 2: Operation Curb Cut Caper
In NYC, a legal driveway requires a special permit for a little something called a curb cut, basically a fancy way of saying the dip in the sidewalk that allows cars to enter and exit. No curb cut permit, no legal parking!
On the DOB NOW: Build webpage, type in the address of the mysterious driveway. Then, with the grace of a gazelle (or maybe a particularly nimble pigeon), navigate to "Jobs/Occupancy/Compliance Filings" and click on the thrilling "BUILD: Job Filings." Here, my friend, lies the truth!
The Big Reveal: Permit or Perish?
If a glorious "Curb Cut Permit" graces the list, congratulations! Parking in front of this driveway is A-okay (as long as you follow all other parking regulations, of course). But if the list is devoid of any curb-cutty goodness, then this driveway is about as legal as jaywalking across a six-lane highway.
Bonus Tip: The Power of Observation
Is the driveway a crooked mess of bricks, seemingly defying the laws of physics? Is it more overgrown than a jungle gym? While not a foolproof method, a suspiciously sketchy driveway might be a tip-off that a permit is missing.
Remember, with great parking power, comes great responsibility. Use your newfound driveway detective skills wisely, and may your street parking woes be a thing of the past. Now get out there and park with confidence (and maybe a tiny bit of smugness)!