{"data":{"id":"us-nyc/n.y.c.-admin.-code-l.l.-1996-080","jurisdiction":"us-nyc","citation":"N.Y.C. Admin. Code § L.L. 1996/080","heading":"L.L. 1996/080","body":"Enactment date: 9/26/1996\n\nInt. No. 456-B\n\nBy Council Members Sabini, Leffler, the Speaker (Council Member Vallone), Council Members Eristoff, Pagan, Abel, Fossella, Albanese, Miller, Ognibene, Weiner, White, Koslowitz, Spigner, Fisher, DeMarco, McCaffrey, Dear, Lasher and Stabile (by the request of the Mayor)\n\nA Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to a prohibition against certain forms of aggressive solicitation\n\nBe it enacted by the Council as follows:\n\nSection 1. Legislative findings. The council recognizes a constitutional right to beg or solicit in a peaceful and non-threatening manner. The council finds, however, that an increase in aggressive solicitation throughout the city has become extremely disturbing and disruptive to residents and businesses, and has contributed not only to the loss of access to and enjoyment of public places, but also to an enhanced sense of fear, intimidation and disorder.\n\nAggressive panhandling usually includes approaching or following pedestrians, the use of abusive language, unwanted physical contact, or the intentional blocking of pedestrian and vehicular traffic. The council further finds that the presence of individuals who solicit money from persons at or near banks or automated teller machines is especially troublesome. Motorists also find themselves confronted by persons who without permission wash their automobile windows at traffic intersections, despite explicit indications by drivers not to do so. Such activity often carries with it an implicit threat to both persons and property. People driving or parking on city streets frequently find themselves faced with panhandlers seeking money by offering to perform \"services\" such as opening car doors or locating parking spaces.\n\nThis law is timely and appropriate because current laws and city regulations are insufficient to address the aforementioned problems. The restrictions contained herein are neither overbroad nor vague and are narrowly tailored to serve a substantial governmental interest. Furthermore, in enacting this legislation, the council recognizes the availability of community service and other sentencing alternatives, which may be appropriate remedies for violations of this law.\n\nThe law is not intended to limit any persons from exercising their constitutional right to solicit funds, picket, protest or engage in other constitutionally protected activity. Its goal is instead to protect citizens from the fear and intimidation accompanying certain kinds of solicitation that have become an unwelcome and overwhelming presence in the city.\n\n* * *\n\n[Consolidated provisions are not included in this Appendix A]\n\n* * *\n\n§ 3. This local law shall take effect 30 days after its enactment into law.","path":["New York City Administrative Code","1996"],"source_url":"https://files.amlegal.com/pdffiles/NewYorkCity/Admin/XML.zip","current_through":"Local Law 2026/135 (enacted August 31, 2026)","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-06T02:48:57Z","sha256":"e04607c53ac6d4285fe3861c53befa68a9b46a16b69d249cd5c7fd003b63531b","source_id":"us-nyc","stale":false,"prev":"us-nyc/n.y.c.-admin.-code-l.l.-1996-079","next":"us-nyc/n.y.c.-admin.-code-l.l.-1996-081"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}