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SidewalkSnitch / Regulations / Outdoor Dining / DOT-SC-005
Sidewalk Cafe — Hours of Operation Violation
Outdoor Dining · NYC DOT · 34 RCNY §5-10(b) (eff. March 3, 2024)
Sidewalk Cafe — Hours of Operation Violation is enforced by NYC DOT under 34 RCNY §5-10(b) (eff. March 3, 2024). Severity default: Medium.
The rule
Open-air sidewalk cafes and roadway cafes may operate only during the following hours: Monday through Saturday 8:00 AM to midnight; Sunday 10:00 AM to midnight. Operating outside these hours is a violation. (Enclosed sidewalk cafes are not subject to this restriction.)
What to photograph
- outdoor dining setup with patrons seated before 8am on a weekday (check photo timestamp)
- outdoor dining setup operating after midnight (check photo timestamp)
- patrons being served at sidewalk cafe before 10am on a Sunday
- active dining service visible at an hour outside permitted range
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.