NYC MERCHANT REGUATIONS

SIDEWALKS, GARAGAE AND SIDEWALK DISPLAY VENDING

SIDEWALK USE:

If you would like to use part of the sidewalk in front for daily operations, or if you would like to place items such as stoop stand, canopies, bike racks, benches, or planters in front of your store or on the sidewalk, you must obtain permission from the City.

To operate a stoop line stand you must obtain a license fron the Department of Consumer Affairs. This application is available online or at the Citywide Licensing Center, 42 Broadway, 5th floor, New York, NY or call (212) 487-4444.

SIDEWALK and STREET OBSTRUCT1ON

Sidewalks must be kept free from unauthorized obstructions such as refuse containers or A-frame signs to allow the free flow of pedestrian traffic. It is illegal for anyone to place or leave any box, barrel, or other moveable property upon any public street or public place.

SIDEWALK MAINTENANCE

The sidewalk in front of any building must be. maintatined by the property owner. Defects may be repaired privately or by the Department of Transportation and charged to the property owner through the Department of Finance. If the repair is for an area larger than one square of the sidewaik, the owner must obtain a permit from the Department of Transportation for the repair.

SNOW and ICE REMOVAL

Snow and ice must be removed from the sidewalk within four hours after snow has stopped falling or by 11:00 AM if snow has stopped falling after 9:00 PM the previous evening.

SIDEWALK CLEANLINESS

You must sweep clean the sidewalk in front of your business and from the curb and into the street 18 " at the beginning of your business day, at the end of the business dav and at the Department of Sanitation designated time for your location. All sweepings must be disposed of in a suitable refuse container.

For more. Information about the Routing Program call the Department of Sanitation Action Center at (212) 219?8090.

TREES

TREES For trees near your property that require non-emergency anention, call your Department of Parks and Recreation Borough Office

GARBAGE REMOVAL

The Department of Sanitation does not collect refuse or recyclables from commercial establishrnents.

Businesses may use either a licensed private carter or transport their own refuse/recyclables in a vehicle with commercial license plates. Businesses are allowed to do the latter only after obtaining a Self-Hauler Registration from the New York City Trade Waste Commission.

Contact the Trade Waste Commission Licensing Unit at (212) 676-6219 for more information.

If you have questions regarding Carting Services or Charges contact the Inspection Unit at (212) 676-6300.

PROPER DISPOSAL OF GARBAGE

Refuse must be put into leakproof receptacles with tightly fitting lids or securely tied heavy duty opaque plastic bags. Receptacles for garbage and recyclables must be kept off the sidewalk until the time of collection.

Department of Sanitation litter baskets are for the use of pedestrians only and are not intended for the use of nearby businesses. It is also illegal to use receptacles of another building or business without permission, or to place refuse in front of another premises.

RECYCLING

All businesses must keep designated recyclable materials separate. from garbage for collection by a priviate carter or recycler. Materials to be separated for recycling include corrugated cardboard, office and computer paper, newspaper, magazines, and phone books, and large metal items, such as file cabinets.

Call The Department of Sanitation's Action Center at (212) 219-8090 for a copy of their "Guide to Mandatory Recycling in the Workplace".

The City of New York will increase its enforcement of the Sidewalk Obstruction law, which imposes restrictions on the use of the public sidewalks. If you are found in violation of any of the provisions listed below you will be subject to civil penalties and to having the merchandise and stand on the sidewalk confiscated.

1. RESTRICTED STREETS (Streets in Kingsbridge are not currently restricted)



2. NON-RESTRICTED STREETS
   On non-restricted streets displays of merchandise are allowed. The storeowner is not required to have a license, unless the merchandise is in any of the nine categories in paragraph 3 below.
   The storeowner must comply with each of the following provisions:
   
   a. The placement or hanging of displayed merchandise must t not extend onto the sidewalk beyond three feet, and must be no higher than five feet.
   
   b. No one may lease, or permit any other person to use, any space on the sidewalk adjacent to a house, store, or other building for the purpose of selling or displaying merchandise.
   
   c. The sidewalk adjacent to store may be used to display only those goods belonging to the store.
   
   d. The merchandise displayed on the sidewalk must be the same as the merchandise in the store.
   
   Non-compliance with any of the cited regulations subjects the vendor's merchandise and stand to confiscation, and subjects the violator to civil penalties of $100 to $1000.
   
   
3. STANDS REQUIRING LICENSES
   
   Storeowners with stands, which display merchandise in any of the following nine categories, must obtain a license from the Department of Consumer Affairs.
   
   FRUIT  |  VEGETABLES  |  SOFT DRINKS  |  FLOWERS  |  ICE CREAM
   TABACCO  |  CIGARETTES  |  CIGARS  |  CONFECTIONERY
   
   Displays may not:
   a. Extend beyond 7 feet in height
   b. Extend beyond 5 feet in width if the sidewalk is 16 feet wide or greater
   c. Extend byond 4 feet in width on all other sidewalks
   d. Extend beyond 10 feet in length per license.


Storeowners, vendors and licensees who exceed the space limitations for the above categories are subject to having their merchandise and stands confiscated, and to civil penalties of a minimum of $100. Store owners and/or vendors who have not obtained a license to display merchandise in the above categories are subject to Padlock Citations.

THE LAW TREATS VIOLATORS THE SAME AS UNLICENSED MOBILE VENDORS