File #: T2026-1336    Version: * Name: Maximum clear path requirements for sidewalk cafes.
Type: Introduction Status: Introduced
Committee: Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
On agenda: 3/10/2026
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to maximum clear path requirements for sidewalk cafes
Sponsors: Julie Menin, Lincoln Restler
Council Member Sponsors: 2
Summary: This bill would limit the requirement for sidewalk cafes to leave a clear path on the sidewalk to no more than 8 feet or 50 percent of the width of the sidewalk, whichever is greater.
Attachments: 1. Summary of Int. No., 2. Int. No., 3. Committee Report 3/3/26

Int. No.

 

By The Speaker (Council Member Menin) and Council Member Restler

 

A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to maximum clear path requirements for sidewalk cafes

 

Be it enacted by the Council as follows:

 

Section 1. Section 19-101 of the administrative code of the city of New York is amended by adding a new definition of “clear path” in alphabetical order to read as follows:

Clear path. The term “clear path” means an unobstructed path on a sidewalk or sidewalk widening for pedestrian circulation.

§ 2. Subdivision c of section 19-160 of the administrative code of the city of New York, as added by local law number 121 for the year 2023, is amended to read as follows: 

c. No rule promulgated by the department in relation to the license granted to a sidewalk cafe or a roadway cafe in accordance with subdivision b of this section shall: (i) prevent a sidewalk cafe or a roadway cafe from operating during the hours of 10:00 a.m. through 12:00 a.m. daily; (ii) allow a sidewalk cafe, other than an enclosed sidewalk cafe, or a roadway cafe to operate before 10:00 a.m. on Sundays; [or] (iii) authorize a roadway cafe to operate on any day from November 30 to March 31, inclusive; or (iv) impose a clear path requirement upon a sidewalk cafe other than 8 feet or 50 percent of the width of the sidewalk, including any sidewalk widening, whichever is greater.

§ 3. This local law takes effect 120 days after it becomes law.

LH/SS

LS #16639/19551/19961

Int. #1444-2025

2/19/2026 2:15 PM