Rental Trucks Overtake Long Island City Streets, Irk Businesses

Neighbors and local companies in Queens say parked rental vehicles are blocking driveways and impacting daily operations.

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Residents and business owners in Long Island City, Queens, are complaining about an influx of rental trucks parked on their streets, which they say are blocking fire hydrants, driveways, and impeding daily operations. Local companies like Audio Video Crafts and film studios say the trucks, particularly from the Ryder rental facility in the area, are causing major disruptions and safety concerns.

Why it matters

The truck takeover of Long Island City streets highlights the challenges small businesses face when their access and operations are obstructed by illegally parked commercial vehicles. It also raises questions about the enforcement of parking regulations and the responsibilities of rental companies to manage their fleets responsibly within residential and commercial neighborhoods.

The details

Neighbors and business owners say the rental trucks, particularly from the Ryder facility in the area, are parked haphazardly, blocking fire hydrants, driveways, and preventing employees and customers from finding parking. Local business owners like Paul Austi and Joe Grant have complained about the issue to 311 and the NYPD, but say the problem persists. The NYPD states they have issued thousands of summonses and conducted towing operations, but the businesses say the trucks keep returning.

  • In 2025, the NYPD's Traffic Enforcement Division issued 22,201 truck and commercial vehicle parking summonses and conducted 35 heavy-duty tows in the 108th Precinct.
  • The Department of Transportation confirms commercial vehicles can only park on the street for up to three hours at a time.

The players

Paul Austi

Owner of the home automation business Audio Video Crafts, which has been in the Long Island City neighborhood for four decades.

Joe Grant

Neighbor and owner of film studios in the Long Island City area.

Ryder

A rental truck company that has a facility located in the Long Island City neighborhood.

NYPD

The New York Police Department, which has been conducting enforcement efforts to address the illegal parking of commercial vehicles in the 108th Precinct that includes Long Island City.

Department of Transportation

The New York City agency that regulates commercial vehicle parking, confirming a three-hour time limit for street parking.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

The NYPD states it will continue to monitor conditions in Long Island City and take enforcement action to maintain safe and accessible streets.

The takeaway

This issue highlights the tensions that can arise when the needs of businesses and residents clash over limited street space. It underscores the importance of rental companies working closely with local communities to ensure their operations do not unduly burden neighborhoods, and the need for robust enforcement of parking regulations to keep streets clear and accessible for all.