A citizen enforcement program for illegal disposal of household or commercial refuse in public litter baskets

Summary

This bill would allow individual New Yorkers to file complaints regarding the illegal disposal of trash from homes or commercial venues into public trash cans. Once a complaint is filed with the Department of Sanitation, the Department would have 45 days to either issue a notice of violation itself or deny the complaint as frivolous. If 45 days pass without either of those actions happening, the person who filed the complaint could summon the person accused of illegally disposing of their trash to the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings and prosecute the action personally. A person who filed a complaint would be entitled to 25% of proceeds if the Department of Sanitation prevailed in a hearing at the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings over someone that person complained about, or 50% of the civil penalty if they themselves prosecuted the case and won. Finally, the Department of Sanitation would have to provide best practices on its website for filling out a complaint.

Summary from NYC Council (Legistar). How we handle summaries

Your position on this bill

Choose the position closest to yours. You'll sign in or create an account to save it.

Where it stands

Assigned to a committee for review.

Committee on Sanitation and Solid Waste Management

Full history

1. Apr 16, 2026

   Introduced

   This Introduction was Introduced by Council

   NYC Council

2. Apr 16, 2026

   Referred to committee

   This Introduction was Referred to Comm by Council to the Committee on Sanitation and Solid Waste Management

   NYC Council