NYC DOHMH inspects properties for rats under Health Code Article 151 and NYC Admin Code §27-2017. The 2023 NYC Rat Action Plan requires containerized trash in many neighborhoods and DOHMH can issue violations requiring extermination within 5 days.
NYC rat mitigation is enforced primarily through the NYC Health Code Article 151 and NYC Admin Code §27-2017 (the Housing Maintenance Code). DOHMH inspects for rat signs (burrows, droppings, gnaw marks, active infestation) and issues Notices of Violation requiring extermination within 5 business days. HPD inspects rental properties; repeat rat violations escalate to Class B and Class C violations. The 2023 NYC Rat Action Plan, championed by the Mayor's Office, targeted a 'rat czar' (Kathleen Corradi, 2023) and expanded containerized trash zones — residential buildings in specified neighborhoods must now place trash in lidded bins instead of black bags (DSNY rule phased through 2024). NYC Admin Code §16-120 governs trash time-out windows (8 PM for containerized). Owners are also responsible for sealing burrows, rat-proofing construction, and for pest-control contracts with licensed applicators (NY DEC-certified).
DOHMH rat violation: $300–$2,000 per inspection. HPD Class B/C violations: emergency corrections charged to owner. DSNY trash violations: $50–$300.
Kings County, NY
NYC strictly regulates commercial vehicle parking. Commercial vehicles may park at meters for up to 3 hours and are banned from residential areas overnight (...
Kings County, NY
Brooklyn pools must be enclosed by a self-closing, self-latching barrier at least 4 feet high per NYC Building Code and Health Code §165.57.
Kings County, NY
Feeding pigeons, squirrels, raccoons, or other wildlife that creates unsanitary conditions is prohibited in Brooklyn under NYC Health Code §153.09.
Kings County, NY
Brooklyn residents may keep backyard hens, but roosters, ducks, geese, turkeys, pigs, goats, and sheep are prohibited under NYC Health Code §161.01.
Kings County, NY
NYC Health Code §161.01 prohibits most wild, exotic, and farm animals. Ferrets, hedgehogs, sugar gliders, pot-bellied pigs, venomous snakes, large reptiles, ...
Kings County, NY
All consumer fireworks are illegal in New York City under New York Penal Law §270.00. This includes sparklers longer than 10 inches, firecrackers, Roman cand...
See how Kings County's pest control rules stack up against other locations.
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