File #: Int 0018-2026    Version: * Name: A pilot program for power washing machines to clean sidewalk surfaces in commercial corridors.
Type: Introduction Status: Committee
Committee: Committee on Sanitation and Solid Waste Management
On agenda: 1/29/2026
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: A Local Law in relation to a pilot program for power washing machines to clean sidewalk surfaces in commercial corridors
Sponsors: Shaun Abreu, Farah N. Louis, Elsie Encarnación, Frank Morano
Council Member Sponsors: 4
Summary: This bill would require the New York City Department of Sanitation (“DSNY”) to implement a pilot program for the use of power washing machines to clean and remove odors and spills from sidewalk surfaces in commercial corridors. The bill would also require DSNY to report on such pilot program upon its conclusion.
Indexes: Report Required
Attachments: 1. Summary of Int. No. 18, 2. Int. No. 18, 3. Committee Report 1/30/26, 4. Fiscal Impact Statement - City Council

Int. No. 18

 

By Council Members Abreu, Louis, Encarnación and Morano

 

A Local Law in relation to a pilot program for power washing machines to clean sidewalk surfaces in commercial corridors

 

Be it enacted by the Council as follows:

 

Section 1. The department of sanitation shall establish and implement a pilot program for at least 6 months for the use of power washing machines to clean and remove odors and spills from sidewalks that are located in a commercial corridor. Such pilot program shall commence upon the selection of suitable locations, but no later than April 1, 2026. The department of sanitation shall consult with the department of environmental protection prior to choosing the locations for the pilot program. The department of sanitation shall provide to the mayor and speaker of the council a report on such pilot program upon its conclusion. Such report shall include an evaluation of whether and where the power washing pilot program is suitable for expansion, guidelines for how many miles of sidewalk within commercial corridors should be power washed per year, and an evaluation of the impact that pedestrian volume and susceptibility to heat island effects has on feasibility and desirability of using power washing machines to clean sidewalk surfaces in such locations.

§ 2. For purposes of this local law, the following terms have the following meanings:

Sidewalk. The term “sidewalk” has the same meaning as set forth in section 19-101 of the administrative code of the city of New York.

Power washing machine. The term “power washing machine” means a machine that uses a high-pressure stream of hot water to remove dirt and other materials from outdoor surfaces.

§ 3. This local law takes effect immediately.

 

MB

LS #14378/17415

Int. #1278-2025

1/7/2026 4:02 PM