Dog Off Leash or on a Leash Longer Than Six Feet in Public

A dog in a public place must be restrained by a leash no more than six feet long, and the leash must be held by a person able to control the dog. Designated off-leash areas and posted off-leash hours in certain parks are exceptions, so an unleashed dog inside a fenced dog run or a posted off-leash area is not a violation.

• dog with no leash attached on a public sidewalk or roadway
• dog on a long retractable lead extended well beyond roughly six feet
• leash trailing loose on the ground with no person holding it
• unleashed dog outside any fenced dog run, with no off-leash signage in frame

1. Photograph trash, bags, or spill at the curb with building address visible.
2. Note time of day — set-out time violations require proof of early placement.
3. File at 311 under Dirty Conditions or Sanitation.
4. For commercial waste, note business name on signage if visible.

Official channel: portal.311.nyc.gov or dial 311. Agency: NYC DOHMH.

DSNY fines range from $50–$500+ for set-out time, containerization, and dirty-area violations. Repeat commercial offenders may face escalated penalties.

DSNY Sanitation Enforcement inspects and may issue Notices of Violation. Residential issues may be referred to property management; commercial routes get BIC oversight.

• What 311 does after you file