Owners of vacant lots are required to keep them clean and free of debris. A vacant lot is a plot of land without any building or building foundation.

You can report a vacant lot that is dirty or does not have a fence.

You can report litter in a public or private vacant lot.

If a lot is dirty, the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) will give the owner a deadline to clean it. If the owner fails to meet the deadline, the Department of Sanitation (DSNY) may remove trash from the lot and charge the owner.

Dirty vacant lots are inspected in 3 to 5 business days. If necessary, DSNY will clean the lot within 45 business days.

Overgrown Vacant Lots

DSNY does not remove overgrown grass, weeds, bushes, trees or vegetation of any type from vacant lots.

Submitting a Video or Picture

If you want to submit a video or picture to supplement a complaint about litter in a vacant lot, you must submit a Lot Cleaning Request online. You will then be able to upload files within the Service Request.

You can request an inspection of a vacant lot that does not have a fence.

The Department of Transportation (DOT) will respond to requests within 6 weeks of receipt.

Online

Email the Department of Transportation.

By Mail

Mail your request to:

Department of Transportation Commissioner
55 Water Street, 9th Floor
New York, NY 10041

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