Hoboken Launches Automated Camera Program to Curb Illegal Parking

The City of Hoboken will launch a new automated enforcement initiative, CLEAR (Camera-based License plate Enforcement for Access & Response times), on Oct. 1, 2025, to improve road safety and reduce illegal parking along Washington Street.

Mayor Ravi S. Bhalla announced the program as part of the city’s Vision Zero strategy. CLEAR aims to address violations such as double parking in bike lanes, parking in bus stops, and improper loading zone use. The program will rely on city-authorized cameras to capture images of illegally parked vehicles from Observer Highway to Eighth Street. Hoboken Parking Utility staff will review the footage and issue citations by mail if a violation is confirmed.

“Double parked cars on Washington Street make it difficult to cross the street safely — especially with children — by obscuring views of oncoming traffic,” one survey respondent wrote.

According to recent data, bike lanes were blocked for an average of 4.5 hours per day per location, while double parking occurred 68 times daily. Bus stops were obstructed an average of 158 times per day, and 54 percent of loading zone use violated city code. Only 6 percent of all violations involved residential parking permit holders.

A public survey conducted by the city found that 75 percent of respondents agreed that double parking presents serious safety concerns. Additionally, 89 percent of cyclists reported regularly encountering double parked cars in bike lanes.

“The results of the survey are clear: Hoboken residents want a safer, more efficient Washington Street,” Mayor Bhalla said. “We cannot and must not wait for a serious injury or fatality caused by double parking in bike lanes or blocked crosswalks.”

The city will begin an outreach campaign before enforcement starts in October. For more information, visit hobokennj.gov/automated-enforcement.