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SidewalkSnitch / Regulations / Outdoor Dining / DOT-RC-001
Roadway Cafe — Located in Prohibited Zone (Bus Lane, Bike Lane, Travel Lane)
Outdoor Dining · NYC DOT · 34 RCNY §5-11(b)(1)(ii)(B) (eff. March 3, 2024)
Roadway Cafe — Located in Prohibited Zone (Bus Lane, Bike Lane, Travel Lane) is enforced by NYC DOT under 34 RCNY §5-11(b)(1)(ii)(B) (eff. March 3, 2024). Severity default: High.
The rule
A roadway cafe may only be located in parking spaces, commercial parking, and certain no-parking zones. It is prohibited from being located in: part-time or full-time travel lanes, bicycle lanes, bus lanes, No Standing/No Stopping zones, bus stops, or spaces reserved for specified vehicles.
What to photograph
- roadway dining setup placed within a marked bicycle lane
- outdoor dining barriers or furniture in an active traffic or turning lane
- roadway cafe located at or within a bus stop zone with MTA bus stop signage nearby
- dining setup in a No Standing or No Stopping zone (visible signage overhead)
- roadway cafe blocking a painted bike lane
How to file a complaint
- Photograph the obstruction from sidewalk level showing clear path width.
- Capture any posted DOT dining license or permit if visible.
- File via 311 under Sidewalk Café / Outdoor Dining, or use SidewalkSnitch dining analysis.
- Describe how pedestrians are forced into the street or bike lane.
Official channel: portal.311.nyc.gov or dial 311. Agency: NYC DOT.
Penalties & fines
DOT may issue notices of violation to licensed cafés; unlicensed setups can face removal orders and fines. Repeat violations can affect license renewal.
What happens after you file
DOT Sidewalk Café Inspection responds to encroachment complaints. Licensed sites are measured against permit bounds; unlicensed structures may be tagged for removal.
SidewalkSnitch supports photo analysis for dining complaints. Draft a filing in the app →
Related guides
FAQ
Can I file anonymously?
311 requires contact information for follow-up. Your identity is not shared with the violator. SidewalkSnitch requires phone verification for filings but does not auto-submit to 311.
Does SidewalkSnitch submit this to 311 automatically?
SidewalkSnitch can analyze photos for dining violations and prepare a ready-to-file draft. Direct 311 submission is not live yet — you file at 311.nyc.gov for a Service Request Number.