Administrative Code § 19-152 The New York City law requiring abutting property owners to install, repair, and maintain sidewalk flags, and authorizing the Department of Transportation to inspect sidewalks, issue violations, and define which defects require repair.
While § 7-210 governs who pays when someone is injured, § 19-152 is the operational statute behind DOT sidewalk enforcement in NYC. It lists the defect conditions inspectors look for, such as trip hazards, broken or missing flags, and improper slopes, and it establishes the process of notices, repair windows, and City-performed repairs billed to the owner. Most sidewalk violations that property owners receive cite this section. Understanding it helps you respond correctly, whether you repair privately with a licensed contractor or wait for the City's program. The DOT summarizes the rules at https://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/infrastructure/19-152.shtml.
Frequently Asked Questions About Administrative Code § 19-152
What is Administrative Code 19-152 for?
It is the operational sidewalk repair statute. It requires abutting owners to install, repair and maintain sidewalk flags, and it authorizes NYC DOT to inspect sidewalks, define reportable defects and issue violations.
How is 19-152 different from 7-210?
19-152 governs the duty to repair and the DOT enforcement process. 7-210 governs who pays when a pedestrian is injured. Most sidewalk violation notices cite 19-152.
What defects does 19-152 cover?
Conditions such as trip hazards, cracked or broken flags, missing or patched sections, improper slope, hardware defects and undermined flags. DOT lists the specific defect categories it inspects for.
What happens if I ignore a 19-152 violation?
DOT can schedule the repair through the City's contractor and bill the property owner, and the charge can become a lien against the property. The violation also remains on the property record.
Where can I read the rules?
NYC DOT summarizes them at https://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/infrastructure/19-152.shtml