New York, NY Public Conduct: Public Urination (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing law
- Admin. Code § 16-118(6)
- First offense
- $75 civil penalty
- Repeat penalty
- $350-$450 (3rd, 12 mo.)
- Enforcement
- NYPD and Sanitation
- Jail exposure
- Up to 1 day (rare)
Summary
New York City bans public urination and defecation as "filthy matter" under the Sanitation Code, with a dedicated lower fine track for the offense set by the City Council in 2016.
No swill, brine, offensive animal matter, noxious liquid, or other filthy matter of any kind, shall be allowed by any person to fall upon or run into any street, or public place, or be taken to or put therein... for any natural person violating subdivision 6 of this section by means of the act of public urination: 75 dollars for a first violation, and not less than 250 and not more than 350 dollars for any second violation within any 12 month period.
Full Breakdown
Public urination is prosecuted under Admin Code § 16-118(6), the general ban on filthy matter fouling a street or public place. The Council carved out separate, lighter penalties for it: violators face only a fine (no jail beyond one day) versus other subdivision 6 violations, and natural persons pay $75 for a first offense, $250-350 for a second within 12 months, and $350-450 for a third. NYPD, not just Sanitation, can issue the summons under the specified-unlawful-act definition in § 14-101.
Violations & Fines
1st: $75 civil penalty; 2nd within 12 months: $250-$350; 3rd within 12 months: $350-$450; criminal fine alternative capped at $250 with up to 1 day imprisonment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is public urination a crime or a ticket in NYC?
How much is the fine for public urination in NYC?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in New York
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