Blocked Sidewalk or Street

Need something else?

Illegal Parking to report a vehicle blocking the sidewalk or street
Vendor Complaint to report vendors or peddlers blocking a sidewalk or street

You can report a blocked sidewalk or street.

Sandwich and A-frame signs must be positioned within the 5-foot area adjoining the building.

You can report a business that repeatedly places an advertising sign more than 5 feet from the building. You must provide the days and times this problem occurs.

Report an advertising sign blocking the sidewalk or street.

You can report an ATM located on a sidewalk.

An ATM must be located in a store or behind a building’s property line. The property owner is responsible for making sure that the ATM is in the correct location.

Report an ATM blocking the sidewalk.

What Happens Next

The Department of Transportation will inspect the reported location and will issue a summons to the property owner if the ATM does not comply with regulations.

The fine for not removing an illegal ATM is $2,500.

Additionally, property owners may be charged an additional $5,000 fine for every five days that the violation continues.

Active construction sites and repair activity must allow enough room for sidewalk and street traffic to pass.

What You Can Report

You can report:

Sidewalks or streets that are blocked by construction equipment, barriers, or activity.
Items left behind after construction was completed.
Construction vehicles blocking street traffic at a construction site. If the construction vehicles are not at a construction site, use the Illegal Parking page.
Large dumpsters with construction debris blocking the street, sidewalk, crosswalk, or bus stop

Report construction work blocking a:

Street

Report a construction dumpster blocking a:

Sidewalk, crosswalk, or bus stop

Street

What Happens Next

The Department of Transportation will inspect the site to determine whether it is complying with construction permit regulations and will issue violations when appropriate.

You can report overgrown grass or weeds that are overflowing onto the sidewalk from the property next to it. The grass or weeds must be blocking the path of pedestrians and making the sidewalk very difficult to use.

Report overgrown grass or weeds on a sidewalk.

Businesses and commercial buildings must keep sidewalk areas free of objects that could impede pedestrian traffic.

With the exception of “zero sidewalk display” streets, stores are allowed to display merchandise on the sidewalk.

The display must not:

Extend more than 3 feet into the sidewalk from the building
Be higher than 5 feet

Businesses that participate in the Open Storefronts Program may display merchandise on sidewalks if:

Objects or goods are directly next to the building
Objects or goods extend no more than 5 feet from the property line
An 8-foot clear path is maintained for pedestrians

What You Can Report

You can report sidewalks or streets that are blocked by:

Large sidewalk displays
Merchandise
Bins
Racks
Coin-operated rides

What You Can’t Report

You can’t report street vendors or peddlers blocking the street or sidewalk with this request form. Please visit the Vendor Complaint page to report this issue.

Report merchandise or other store items blocking the sidewalk or street.

Zero Sidewalk Display Streets

Certain locations are designated "zero sidewalk display" streets, meaning stores cannot display items on the sidewalk.

Zero sidewalk display street rules do not apply to business owners authorized to participate in the temporary Open Storefronts program. Participants must follow the siting criteria for Open Storefronts instead.

You can find out if your business is on a zero sidewalk display street.

Call 311 for assistance.

You can report outdoor dining setups that are blocking the sidewalk or street zones.

Blocked Sidewalk

Sidewalk seating must maintain an 8-foot path for pedestrians free from obstructions between the seating and the curb.

Seating also can’t block:

Bike racks
Bus stop shelters or waiting areas
Siamese water connections
Sidewalk grates
Utility covers

Report a seating area blocking the sidewalk pedestrian space.

Blocked Street Zones

Open Restaurants with on-street seating can’t block:

Bike lanes
Bus stops
Car share or bike share spaces
Crosswalks or vehicle turning zones
Fire hydrants
No Standing or No Stopping Anytime zones

Report seating in an unauthorized area of the street.

You can report basketball hoops or similar personal property blocking sidewalks or streets.

Report personal property blocking the sidewalk or street.

What Happens Next

Officers from your local police precinct will respond when they are not handling emergency situations.

You can report sidewalk stands, also known as stoop line stands, that are blocking the sidewalk

Businesses must have a Stoop Line Stand License to sell fruits, vegetables, cut flowers, soft drinks, ice cream, or confectionery from sidewalk stands. The stands must be within specific boundaries to keep public sidewalks clear.

Report a sidewalk stand blocking the sidewalk.

What Happens Next

If you provide an email address with your Service Request, you will receive a notification by email. You may also be emailed a complaint form, which you must complete and return. Be sure to check your spam folder in addition to your inbox.

Trash and recycling bags, bulk items, and containers, including dumpsters, may only be set out on the sidewalk at specific times.

Residential properties may set out trash and recycling bags and bins curbside starting at 4 PM the evening before their collection day
- If pickup is before 4 PM, residents must retrieve bins by 9 PM.
- If pickup is after 4 PM, residents must retrieve bins by 9 AM the following morning.
Commercial properties may set out trash containers for collection:
- 1 hour before an establishment closes if the private carter picks up after closing
- Within 2 hours of the actual collection if the private carter picks up during the day

Trash and recycling bags and containers must never block the sidewalk for pedestrians or be placed in the street.

What You Can Report

You can report residents and businesses that repeatedly put trash and recycling materials in the street or that block the sidewalk with:

Trash bags and bins
Dumpsters
Discarded merchandise

What You Can’t Report

You can’t report:

Bags or containers on a property’s collection day unless the sidewalk is completely blocked
A one-time occurrence. The problem must be chronic, and you must include the days and times in your report.

Blocked Sidewalk or Street

Report an advertising sign blocking the sidewalk or street.

Report an ATM blocking the sidewalk.

Sidewalk

Street

Sidewalk, crosswalk, or bus stop

Street

Report overgrown grass or weeds on a sidewalk.

Report merchandise or other store items blocking the sidewalk or street.

Report a seating area blocking the sidewalk pedestrian space.

Report seating in an unauthorized area of the street.

Report personal property blocking the sidewalk or street.

Report a sidewalk stand blocking the sidewalk.

Report trash or recycling bag or bins blocking the sidewalk or street.

Report a dumpster blocking the sidewalk or street.

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Blocked Sidewalk or Street

Advertising Sign

ATM

Construction

Grass or Weeds

Merchandise

Outdoor Dining

Personal Property

Sidewalk Stand

Trash

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