Last year, the number of reports regarding clogged fire hydrants in New York City rose significantly, with fire officials attributing delays in responding to emergencies to drivers ignoring the rules.
There was a 23.4% increase in 311 complaints about clogged hydrants in 2025, amounting to 165,466 calls, compared to around 134,000 the previous year, based on an analysis by City of Post.
Complaints have been trending upward almost every year for the last decade, showing a 63% spike in 2021 compared to 2020.
Some vehicle owners defended this serious issue, claiming that limited parking contributed to the problem as more spaces are taken over by things like sun protection, bike lanes, and even misuse of permits by city workers.
“The tickets have obviously expired. There’s just no space left to park,” said Jose Rivera, a building director from the Mott Haven area of the Bronx.
Rivera, 42, further remarked, “It feels like the city is at odds with car owners. We’re left with no choice but to park near the hydrants, running around trying to find a place when everything’s confusing.”
Wilmer de la Cruz, a 36-year-old cab driver living in Kingsbridge, echoed this sentiment: “They keep cutting down on parking areas and are shocked when someone unintentionally parks near a fire hydrant. I get the desire for a more walkable city, but if you need a car, it just doesn’t add up, especially around here.”
This issue gained attention after FDNY officials stated that a clogged hydrant had delayed emergency services during a deli fire in the Bronx that injured three people, including two firefighters, just last week.
“Multiple vehicles were blocking the hydrant,” the FDNY shared in a statement following the January 5 incident, mentioning that all vehicles involved were ticketed and towed. “Thankfully, no serious injuries occurred, but this selfish behavior could mean life or death. Please don’t do it,” they urged.
FDNY emphasizes that parking within 15 feet of a fire hydrant is against the law and can lead to fines as high as $5,000.
In an effort to combat this, the FDNY started issuing criminal charges against drivers obstructing emergency hydrants, which hampered response efforts during two fatal fires last year.
A total of 13 such citations were issued in 2025, with three already in 2026.
Last year, fines accumulated to $49,500, varying from $2,500 to $4,000, yet drivers have still managed to obstruct hydrants over 6,200 times within the first two weeks of 2026, according to city records.
“We received more complaints last year than I have in my four years representing this district,” noted Councilwoman Joanne Arriola, who oversees southwest Queens and heads the city council’s Fire and Emergency Management Committee. She attributes the rise in complaints to both staffing shortages in the NYPD and fewer available parking spots due to the Department of Transportation’s safety measures, such as enhanced lighting and wider bike lanes.
However, the DOT countered that there are still around 3 million public parking spaces in the Bronx and claimed the recent fire didn’t happen on streets with bike lanes or in areas with a high concentration of them.
“Protected bike lanes are essential and make our roads safer for everyone, including pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers,” DOT officials stated, deeming the act of blocking fire hydrants “unacceptable.”
According to complaints from 2025, the neighborhoods with the most issues included Bensonhurst (13,832 complaints), Glendale (10,670), and Bay Ridge (10,487), while Midtown East (237 complaints), East Harlem (297), and Midtown (313) were among the better performers.
Arriola is working on a bill designed to simplify the citation process for firefighters, allowing them access to tools that would reduce paperwork.
Previous bills proposed by former Queens City Councilman Bob Holden, which aimed for more visible hydrant markings and increased penalties for blocking them, did not pass.
These plans are now on Arriola’s priority list, and she has forwarded them for public hearing to the new chairwoman, Julie Menin.
“I think hefty fines will definitely cause drivers to reconsider,” she commented regarding the potential penalties, like a $115 ticket for improper parking.
In the meantime, Arriola’s office is encouraging residents to report any clogged fire hydrants and is asking the City Council as well as City Hall to support the bill.
“We need to implement substantial civil penalties,” she stressed. “It might even lead to criminal penalties if the mayor decides to pursue that.”
“We have to do everything within our power,” she concluded. “It’s truly about saving lives.”
