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"Lawn Litter" Law Goes into Effect
By
Jen Chung
Published Aug 4, 2008
Modified Aug 4, 2008
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By
Jen Chung
Published Aug 4, 2008
Modified Aug 4, 2008
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Photograph of City Councilman Simcha Felder (right) with Sustainable Flatbush's Mark Levy from simcha.felder on Flickr
As of this past Saturday, property owners are now able to place signs letting businesses know their unwanted ads are no longer wanted. A state law, passed in January but only in effect now, allows homeowners and landlords to complain about advertisers leaving unsolicited fliers, menus, circulars, etc., and the Department of Sanitation is now able to issue fines of $250 per infraction.
City Councilman Simcha Felder said at a City Hall press conference yesterday (complete with staged flier mess!), "Far too many homeowners in the city have had to endure the onslaught of fliers and circulars that have been dumped on our doorsteps"-- that includes Felder's mother, who was fined $100 by the DOS for fliers on her stoop! -- "Finally, New Yorkers can say ‘Stop the Junk’ and have the force of the law behind them, with the ability to file complaints directly against distributors. The result will be cleaner streets, more livable neighborhoods, and less waste.”
You can post a sign saying you don't want ads delivered to your home (here's a PDF of a sample sign--it must be at least 5" x 7" with the letters 1" in size) and here's the complaint letter. Be warned that the signs might not immediately do the trick, as Sustainable Flatbush's Mark Levy told amNY he has a sign but still received a circular. Levy filled out a complaint form.
Tagged
department of sanitation
garbgage
lawn litter law
Simcha Felder
unwanted fliers
unwanted menus
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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