Last verified: August 19, 2026
What actually happens when DSNY issues a summons
A DSNY enforcement agent inspects your sidewalk during the enforcement window for your property type. If it's dirty at that moment, the agent may issue a summons to the property owner — DSNY's own guidance states plainly that in this situation, they “may issue a summons… but will not clean it up” themselves.
The notice sets forth a civil penalty. Where the notice specifies civil penalties only, it's returnable to the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH), not a criminal court — this is a civil administrative process, not a criminal charge.
The actual fine schedule (§ 16-118(9))
This is the real civil-penalty schedule from the Admin Code, broken out by property type. “First violation” means any number of violations issued for a single incident — repeat penalties only kick in for violations on different days within a 12-month window.
| Property type | 1st violation | 2nd violation (within 12 mo.) | 3rd+ violation (within 12 mo.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residential (owner/occupant, natural person) | $50 | $100 | $100 |
| Commercial / manufacturing / industrial / mixed-use | $50 | $300 | $500 |
Note this is specifically the § 16-118(2)(a)/(3) cleanliness-and-obstruction penalty schedule. The Code has separate, higher penalty schedules for other subsections of § 16-118 (e.g. illegal dumping, public urination) that don't apply to an ordinary dirty-sidewalk citation.
DSNY's 2024 “Sidewalk Slobs” repeat-offender campaign
DSNY has publicly confirmed that fines for repeat commercial offenders can reach up to $500, consistent with the statutory third-violation ceiling above, and runs a public “Sidewalk Slobs” reporting program that can put chronically non-compliant properties in a public “Hall of Shame.”
Winter is a separate, additional exposure: snow/ice removal (§ 16-123)
Beyond routine cleanliness, NYC Admin Code § 16-123 requires owners to remove snow, ice, or dirt from the sidewalk and gutter within 4 hours after snow stops falling (excluding the overnight window of 9 PM–7 AM, which doesn't count against the clock). Penalties escalate faster than the routine-cleanliness schedule:
| Violation | Civil penalty |
|---|---|
| 1st violation | $10–$150 |
| 2nd violation (within 12 mo.) | $150–$250 |
| 3rd+ violation (within 12 mo.) | $250–$350 |
Frequently asked questions
What's the fine for a first-time dirty sidewalk violation in NYC?
$50 for a first violation, whether the property is residential or commercial, under NYC Admin Code § 16-118(9)(a)(2).
Do fines go up for repeat violations?
Yes. Commercial/mixed-use properties escalate to $300 for a second violation and $500 for a third or subsequent violation within 12 months. Residential penalties are capped lower — $100 for a second or subsequent violation.
Is a DSNY sidewalk violation a criminal charge?
No. When the notice specifies civil penalties only, it's handled by the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH) — a civil, not criminal, administrative process.
Does reporting the litterer myself get me out of the fine?
No. DSNY confirms property owners remain responsible for cleaning up litter “even if you reported littering” — you can still be ticketed for trash you should have cleared but didn't.
Is snow removal covered by the same fine schedule as regular cleanliness?
No — snow/ice removal under § 16-123 has its own separate penalty schedule ($10-150 first violation, escalating to $250-350 for repeat violations).