Sanitation — Trash Placed Out Too Early (Before 6pm)

Residential trash must not be set out before 6:00 PM the evening before scheduled collection. It must be in a bin of 55 gallons or less with a secure lid. A building with 10 or more units may instead put bags directly on the curb, but not before 8:00 PM. All waste should be set out by midnight. Placing garbage out too early creates obstructions and attracts pests. Exception — containerization pilot (16 RCNY §1-02.6): from October 15, 2026 through October 15, 2027, in Manhattan Community District 9 and Brooklyn Community District 2, residential buildings with 10 or more units must use the containers that DSNY requires for that pilot. They may not put bags on the curb as the citywide option above allows.

• multiple garbage bags piled on sidewalk during daytime hours
• trash bags or bins blocking pedestrian path mid-afternoon or morning
• residential trash bags or bins set out in the afternoon, before 6pm
• large accumulation of waste bags obstructing sidewalk with no collection truck present

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 DSNY.

DSNY can fine you if you set out trash at the wrong time: $50 for a first offense, $100 for a second offense and $200 for a third or later offense.

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

• Dirty sidewalks
• Rats and rodents