DSNY — Department of Sanitation

The New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) is the world's largest sanitation department, responsible for waste collection, recycling, street cleaning, and snow removal across all five boroughs. DSNY also has significant enforcement authority, issuing violations for improper waste storage, recycling non-compliance, dirty sidewalks, and failure to clear snow.

For property owners and managers, DSNY violations are a common and often overlooked compliance issue. While individual violations may carry modest fines, a pattern of DSNY violations can indicate property management problems that affect due diligence assessments.

DSNY enforces multiple sections of the NYC Administrative Code and Health Code:

• Commercial and residential waste storage and disposal requirements
• Recycling mandates (metal, glass, plastic, paper, organics)
• Sidewalk cleanliness — property owners must keep 18 inches from curb clean
• Snow and ice removal — owners must clear within 4 hours after snowfall ends
• Commercial waste zone regulations
• Containerization requirements for trash set-out

Common DSNY violations include:

• Improper waste disposal or set-out time violations
• Failure to recycle (metal, glass, plastic, paper, organics)
• Dirty sidewalk or failure to clean 18 inches from curb
• Snow/ice removal failure within required timeframe
• Improper commercial waste containerization
• Illegal dumping

DSNY violations are adjudicated through ECB/OATH. Penalties typically range from $50 to $450 per violation, with escalating fines for repeat offenses.

DSNY fines range from $50 for first-time minor violations to $450 or more for repeat offenses. Commercial waste violations can be substantially higher. Unpaid DSNY violations adjudicated through ECB can become judgment liens against the property if left unresolved.

RegWatch tracks DSNY-related ECB violations as part of the comprehensive violation history for every property. DSNY violation patterns are factored into overall building health assessments. Portfolio monitoring alerts property managers to new DSNY violations so they can address waste management issues before fines escalate.