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SidewalkSnitch / Rulebook

NYC Rulebook

153 codified regulations and 69 additional 311 complaint types — a single resource for New Yorkers, including violations we have not yet wired into the SidewalkSnitch app. Each entry says whether it is a rule, a regulation, or a law.

By category

Construction13 regulations
Dogs5 regulations
Engine Idling5 regulations
Housing (HPD)8 regulations
Noise9 regulations
Outdoor Dining45 regulations
Parking15 regulations
Roadway Café2 regulations
Rodents & Animals5 regulations
Sanitation14 regulations
Sidewalk Conditions3 regulations
Sidewalk Obstruction1 regulations
Snow & Ice1 regulations
Street Conditions5 regulations
Street Vending17 regulations
Trees & Parks5 regulations

311 complaint types

Every complaint the City takes that has no rule of its own. Each page says which agency handles it, what evidence helps, and how to file it.

Abandoned Bike Abandoned Vehicle Animal Abuse/Neglect BEST/Site Safety Bike Rack Condition Bike/Roller/Skate Chronic Blocked Driveway Blocked Fire Hydrant Broken Parking Meter Construction Lead Dust Curb Condition Damaged Tree Dead Animal Dead/Dying Tree DEP Sidewalk Condition DEP Street Condition Derelict Vehicles Dirty Condition Dirty Conditions Disorderly Youth Drinking Drug Activity E-Scooter Encampment Fire Alarm - Defective Fire Safety Director - Loss of Certification General Construction/Plumbing Graffiti Highway Condition Homeless Person Assistance Homeless Street Condition Illegal Dumping Illegal Fireworks Illegal Parking Illegal Posting Litter Basket Complaint Manhole Cover - Loss/Shift Mobile Food Vendor New Tree Request Noise - Commercial Noise - Park Noise - Street/Sidewalk Noise - Vehicle Non-Emergency Police Matter Obstruction Outdoor Dining Overflowing Litter Baskets Overgrown Tree/Branches Panhandling Pothole Rodent Root/Sewer/Sidewalk Condition Sanitation Condition Scaffold Safety Sewer Sidewalk Condition Smoke Snow or Ice Snow Removal Street Condition Street Light Condition Street Sign - Damaged Street Sign - Dangling Street Sign - Missing Traffic Signal Condition Urinating in Public Vending Vendor Enforcement Water System

How-to guides

Step-by-step filing guides for common complaints: fire hydrant blockers, parking, rats, and more in FAQ.

All regulation IDs

Browse the full registry (16 categories). The tag on each one names the kind of legal instrument it cites — a rule, a regulation, or a law.

DOT-DIN-001RuleDining Out NYC — Global Corridor 12ft Clear Path DOT-DIN-002RuleDining Out NYC — Regional Corridor 10ft Clear Path DOT-DIN-003RuleDining Out NYC — Local Street 8ft Clear Path DOT-DIN-004RuleDining Out NYC — No Blocking Subway Entrance DOT-DIN-005RegulationDining Out NYC — No Blocking Fire Hydrant (15ft)DOT-DIN-006RuleDining Out NYC — Tables Must Be Removed by 11pm DOT-DIN-007RuleDining Out NYC — No Cooking or Amplified Music on Sidewalk NYC-ADM-001RegulationGeneral Sidewalk Obstruction — Admin Code §19-136 DOB-CON-001RegulationConstruction — Valid DOB Permit Must Be Visible DOB-CON-002RegulationConstruction — Sidewalk Shed Required for Buildings Over 40ft DOB-CON-003RegulationConstruction — After-Hours Work Violation (7am–6pm Weekdays)DSNY-SAN-001RegulationSanitation — Trash Placed Out Too Early (Before 6pm)DOT-SNW-001RegulationSnow & Ice — Must Be Cleared Within 4 Hours of Snowfall DOT-SC-001RuleSidewalk Cafe — Clear Path by Corridor (34 RCNY §5-11)DOT-SC-002RuleSidewalk Cafe — Clearance from Subway Stair Entrance (15 ft)DOT-SC-003RuleSidewalk Cafe — Clearance from Fire Hydrant (8 ft minimum)DOT-SC-004RuleSidewalk Cafe — Clearance from Bus Stop (8 ft minimum)DOT-SC-005RuleSidewalk Cafe — Hours of Operation Violation DOT-SC-006RegulationSidewalk Cafe — Amplified Music or Sound Device (No Permit)DOT-SC-007RuleSidewalk Cafe — Excessive or Prohibited Advertising Signage DOT-SC-008RuleSidewalk Cafe — Perimeter Too High or Affixed to Sidewalk DOT-SC-009RuleSidewalk Cafe — Elevated Platform or Non-Permitted Flooring DOT-SC-010RuleSidewalk Cafe — Awning Too Low (Below 8 ft Clearance)DOT-SC-011RuleSidewalk Cafe — License Not Available on Premises DOT-SC-012RuleSidewalk Cafe — Abandoned Setup (Unused 30+ Days)DOT-RC-001RuleRoadway Cafe — Located in Prohibited Zone (Bus Lane, Bike Lane, Travel Lane)DOT-RC-002RuleRoadway Cafe — Fire Hydrant Clearance (15 ft)DOT-RC-003RuleRoadway Cafe — Crosswalk Clearance Violation DOT-RC-004RuleRoadway Cafe — Barriers Non-Compliant (Missing, Wrong Height, No Reflective Strip)DOT-RC-005RuleRoadway Cafe — Operating Out of Season (Nov 30 – Mar 31)DOT-RC-006RuleRoadway Cafe — Opaque Vertical Screening DOT-RC-007RuleRoadway Cafe — Obstructing Signage Visibility (46-inch Height Limit Near Signs)DOT-SC-014RuleSidewalk Cafe — Fully Enclosed Structure (Prohibited)DOT-SC-015RuleSidewalk Cafe — Blocking Fire Escape, Freight Elevator, Service Entrance, or Stoop DOT-SC-016RuleSidewalk Cafe — Lighting Violation (Too High, Attached to City Property or Street Trees)DOT-RC-008RuleRoadway Cafe — Umbrella or Overhead Covering Within 50ft of Regulatory Sign (Fully Prohibited)DOT-RC-009RuleRoadway Cafe — Flooring Drainage Channel Missing or Non-Compliant DOT-SC-013RuleSidewalk or Roadway Cafe — Maintenance Violation (Trash, Vermin, Unsanitary)DOT-SC-017RuleSidewalk Cafe — Full Clearances Table (Subway Elevator, Exhaust, Curb Cuts, Tree Beds, Mailboxes, Manholes)DOT-SC-018RuleSidewalk Cafe — Removable Furniture & 50% Sidewalk Width Rule DOT-RC-010RuleRoadway Cafe — Maximum Length 40 ft, Maximum Width 8 ft, Emergency Travel Lane 15 ft DOT-RC-011RuleRoadway Cafe — Adjacent Cafe Spacing & 4'6" Setback From Restaurant Perimeter DOT-DIN-008RuleDining Out NYC — Cafe Limited to Frontage of Operating Restaurant DOT-SC-019RuleSidewalk or Roadway Cafe — Operating Without License & Revocable Consent DOT-SC-020RuleSidewalk or Roadway Cafe — Alcohol Service Without SLA Authorization DOT-SC-021RegulationSidewalk or Roadway Cafe — Smoking or E-Cigarettes Prohibited DOT-SC-022RuleSidewalk or Roadway Cafe — Heater Outside Permitted Area or Unapproved DOT-SC-023RuleSidewalk or Roadway Cafe — Good Order / Excessive Patron Congregation DOT-SC-024LawSidewalk or Roadway Cafe — ADA Accessibility Violation DOT-SC-025RuleSidewalk or Roadway Cafe — Furniture Not Secured When Closed / Umbrellas in Inclement Weather DOT-SC-026RuleSidewalk or Roadway Cafe — Encroaching on Furnishing Zone DOT-SC-027RuleSidewalk or Roadway Cafe — Staff Serving From Outside Cafe Perimeter DOT-SC-028RuleRoadway Cafe — Flooring Not Lifted and Cleaned Weekly DOT-RC-012RuleRoadway Cafe — Encroaching on or Attached to Street Tree Bed DOT-RC-013RuleRoadway Cafe — Floating Parking Lane / Bike Lane Encroachment DOT-RC-014RuleRoadway Cafe — Lighting & Electrical Connection Violations NYPD-PRK-001LawParking — Blocking a Fire Hydrant (15ft)NYPD-PRK-002RuleParking — Blocking a Crosswalk or Pedestrian Ramp NYPD-PRK-003RuleParking — Blocking a Bike Lane NYPD-PRK-004RuleParking — Blocking a Bus Stop NYPD-PRK-005RuleParking — Double Parking NYPD-PRK-006LawParking — Sidewalk Parking NYPD-PRK-007RuleParking — Blocking a Driveway NYPD-PRK-008RuleParking — No Standing Zone Violation NYPD-PRK-009RuleParking — No Parking Anytime Zone Violation NYPD-PRK-010RuleParking — Blocking an Intersection (Box Violation)DOF-PRK-001RuleParking — Expired Muni-Meter Receipt / Missing Receipt DOF-PRK-002RegulationParking — Street Cleaning (Alternate Side) Violation NYPD-PRK-011RuleParking — Commercial Vehicle Overnight in Residential District DOF-PRK-003LawParking — Obscured, Covered, or Defaced License Plate NYPD-PRK-012LawParking — Blocking Handicap / ADA Accessible Parking DSNY-SAN-010RegulationSanitation — Residential Trash Set-Out Before 6pm (Bins) / 8pm (Bags)DSNY-SAN-011RegulationSanitation — Commercial Trash Set-Out Before 8pm DSNY-SAN-012RegulationSanitation — Required Containerization (Businesses, 2024)DSNY-SAN-013RegulationSanitation — Overflowing or Unsealed Receptacles DSNY-SAN-014RegulationSanitation — Recycling Not Separated DSNY-SAN-015RegulationSanitation — Illegal Dumping (Non-Resident / Commercial Dumping)DSNY-SAN-016RegulationSanitation — Uncleaned Sidewalk (18 Inches into Gutter)DSNY-SAN-017RegulationSanitation — Dog Waste Not Removed (Pooper Scooper Law)DSNY-SAN-018RegulationSanitation — Bulk Item Without Appointment or Label DSNY-SAN-019RegulationSanitation — Tree Pit Used as Trash Receptacle DSNY-SAN-020RegulationSanitation — Graffiti on Property (Building or Street Furniture)DEP-IDL-001RegulationIdling — 3 Minute Limit (General)DEP-IDL-002RegulationIdling — 1 Minute Limit Adjacent to a School DEP-IDL-003RegulationIdling — Heavy-Duty Truck / Bus (Citizens Air Complaint Program Eligible)DEP-IDL-004RegulationIdling — Exception Improperly Claimed (Non-Loading Vehicle)DEP-IDL-005RegulationIdling — Visible Black Smoke or Exhaust (Separate Violation)DOT-VND-001RegulationStreet Vendor — License/Permit Not Visible in Frame DOT-VND-002RuleFood Cart — Missing Permit Decal or Letter-Grade Placard DOT-VND-003RegulationStreet Vendor — Cart Not Abutting the Curb DOT-VND-004RegulationStreet Vendor — Blocking the 12 ft Pedestrian Clear Path DOT-VND-005RegulationGeneral Vendor — Stand Footprint Exceeds 8 ft × 3 ft DOT-VND-006RuleFood Cart — Exceeds 10 ft × 5 ft Unit Size or Wrong Orientation DOT-VND-007RegulationStreet Vendor — Goods on the Ground or Leaning on a Structure DOT-VND-008RegulationStreet Vendor — Within 10 ft of a Crosswalk or Corner DOT-VND-009RegulationStreet Vendor — Within 10 ft of a Subway Entrance DOT-VND-010RegulationStreet Vendor — Within 10 ft of a Driveway DOT-VND-011RegulationStreet Vendor — Within a Bus Stop or Taxi Stand DOT-VND-012RegulationGeneral Vendor — Within 5 ft of Bus Shelter, Newsstand, or Accessibility Ramp DOT-VND-013RegulationStreet Vendor — Within 20 ft of a Building Entrance or Place of Public Assembly DOT-VND-014RegulationGeneral Vendor — Within 20 ft of a Sidewalk Cafe DOT-VND-015RegulationGeneral Vendor — Vending Over a Ventilation Grate, Cellar Door, Manhole or Subway Grating DOT-VND-017RegulationStreet Vendor — Cart Touching or Blocking a Fire Hydrant MTA-VND-001RuleVendor on MTA Property — Subway Grating, Station Entrance or Stairs DOG-001RegulationDog Waste Not Removed from Sidewalk, Curb or Gutter DOG-002RuleDog Off Leash or on a Leash Longer Than Six Feet in Public DOG-003RuleDog in a Prohibited Park Area — Playground, Fountain or Ball Field DOG-004RegulationDog Tethered and Left Unattended Outside a Storefront DOG-005RuleDog Inside a Food Service Establishment DEP-NOI-001RegulationNoise — Construction After Permitted Hours (7am–6pm weekdays)DEP-NOI-002RegulationNoise — Commercial Establishment Music or Amplified Sound DEP-NOI-003RegulationNoise — Vehicle Music or Engine Revving (Street/Sidewalk)DEP-NOI-004RegulationNoise — Air Conditioning or Ventilation Equipment DEP-NOI-005RegulationNoise — Garbage Collection at Night (11pm–7am, Residential)DEP-NOI-006RegulationNoise — Leaf Blower and Lawn Equipment Hours DEP-NOI-007RegulationNoise — Alarm Sounding Too Long (Building 15 Min, Car 3 Min)DEP-NOI-008RegulationNoise — Outdoor Party or Event Amplified Sound DOB-SHF-001RegulationScaffolding — Missing or Illegible DOB Permit Posted DOB-SHF-002RegulationSidewalk Shed — Insufficient Clear Path (Less Than 5 Feet)DOB-SHF-003LawScaffolding — Missing Deck Planking or Falling Debris Hazard DOB-WRK-001RegulationConstruction — Work Without a Valid DOB Permit DOB-WRK-002RegulationConstruction — After-Hours Work Without Variance DOB-FAC-001LawFacade — Unsafe Loose Masonry or Falling Hazard DOB-EXC-001RegulationExcavation — Unprotected Street or Sidewalk Opening DOB-ELV-001RegulationElevator — Out of Service in Residential Building (Housing)DOB-SGN-001RegulationIllegal Sign or Billboard on Building Facade DOB-BLD-001RegulationIllegal Conversion — Visible Evidence of Unpermitted Apartments HPD-HEAT-001RegulationHousing — No Heat During Heat Season (Oct 1–May 31)HPD-HOT-001RegulationHousing — No Hot Water (Year-Round Requirement)HPD-PEEL-001LawHousing — Peeling Paint or Plaster (Lead Hazard Risk)HPD-ROD-001RegulationHousing — Rodent Infestation in Building Common Areas HPD-EGR-001RegulationHousing — Broken or Missing Egress Window or Fire Escape Access HPD-LOCK-001RegulationHousing — Broken Front Door Lock or Intercom HPD-TRSH-001RegulationHousing — Accumulation of Garbage in Building Common Areas HPD-MOLD-001RegulationHousing — Visible Mold in Apartment or Common Area DOT-SW-001RegulationSidewalk — Trip Hazard Crack or Uneven Flag (More Than ½ Inch)DOT-SW-002RegulationSidewalk — Missing or Collapsed Sidewalk Slab DOT-SW-003LawSidewalk — ADA Curb Ramp Defect or Steep Grade DOT-ST-001RegulationStreet — Pothole in Travel Lane or Bike Lane DOT-ST-002RegulationStreet — Cave-In or Sinkhole Around Utility Cover DOT-SG-001RegulationStreet — Missing or Damaged Street Sign DOT-TL-001RegulationTraffic — Malfunctioning Traffic Signal DOT-BK-001RegulationBike — Abandoned Bicycle Locked to Public Fixture Over 7 Days DOH-ROD-001RuleRodents — Active Rat Burrows or Daytime Sighting DOH-ROD-002RuleRodents — Improper Waste Storage Attracting Rats DOH-ANI-001RuleDead Animal on Sidewalk or Street DOH-DOG-001RegulationDog Waste — Owner Failed to Remove feces from Sidewalk DOH-ABU-001LawAnimal — Visible Cruelty or Neglect (Tied Without Shelter)PRK-TRE-001RegulationTrees — Damaged Street Tree or Hanging Limb Hazard PRK-TRE-002GuidanceTrees — Dead Street Tree Requiring Removal PRK-TRE-003RegulationTrees — Overgrown Branches Blocking Sidewalk or Signs PRK-TRE-004GuidanceTrees — Tree Pit Grate Damaged or Missing PRK-TRE-005RegulationTrees — Illegal Tree Damage or Unauthorized Pruning