New York, NY Property Maintenance: Vacant Lot Maintenance (2026)
Key Facts
- Citation
- NYC Admin Code § 16-118(2)(b)
- First-offense fine
- $100-$300 per violation
- Repeat-offense fine
- $250-$300
- Enforcing agency
- NYC Department of Sanitation
- Coverage
- Every vacant lot citywide
Summary
New York City law requires every owner of a vacant lot to keep it and the abutting sidewalk free of garbage, refuse, and debris, with fines starting at $100.
Every owner, lessee, tenant or person in charge of any vacant lot shall keep and cause to be kept the sidewalk, flagging and curbstone abutting said vacant lot free from obstruction and nuisances of every kind... Every owner, lessee, tenant or person in charge of any vacant lot shall keep and cause to be kept said vacant lot free from garbage, refuse, rubbish, litter, debris and other offensive material.
Full Breakdown
Administrative Code § 16-118(2)(b) makes every owner, lessee, tenant, or person in charge of a vacant lot responsible for keeping the lot itself, plus its abutting sidewalk, flagging, and curbstone, free of garbage, refuse, rubbish, litter, and debris. The same owner must also clear that material from the roadway strip extending a foot and a half from the curb into the street the lot fronts. The Department of Sanitation issues Notices of Violation for a dirty vacant lot, with civil penalties starting at $100 to $300 per violation and climbing to $250-$300 for repeat offenses.
Violations & Fines
Dirty Sidewalk (Vacant Lot), Dirty Area (Vacant Lot), and Failure to Clean 18 Inches Into Street each carry $100-$300 fines; repeat violations run $250-$300.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is responsible for keeping a vacant lot clean in NYC?
What triggers a fine for a dirty vacant lot?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in New York
New York rules heatmap·Compare New York to another location·View the New York property maintenance overview
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