Legislation Details

File #: Int 1092-2026    Version: * Name: Establishing a pilot program to waive license fees for sidewalk cafes and roadway cafes in certain council districts.
Type: Introduction Status: Committee
Committee: Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
On agenda: 9/24/2026
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: A Local Law in relation to establishing a pilot program to waive license fees for sidewalk cafes and roadway cafes in certain council districts
Sponsors: Justin E. Sanchez
Council Member Sponsors: 1
Summary: This bill would establish a 2-year pilot program to waive license fees for sidewalk cafes and roadway cafes in the 10 Council districts with the fewest number of active licenses for sidewalk cafes and roadway cafes as of the effective date of this bill. It would require the Commissioner of Transportation to issue a report at least 90 days after the conclusion of the program that contains statistics indicating the effectiveness of the program, the program’s cost to the City, and a recommendation regarding whether to make the program permanent.
Indexes: Report Required
Attachments: 1. Summary of Int. No. 1092, 2. Int. No. 1092, 3. Memorandum in Support, 4. September 24, 2026 - Stated Meeting Agenda

Int. No. 1092

 

By Council Member J. Sanchez

 

A Local Law in relation to establishing a pilot program to waive license fees for sidewalk cafes and roadway cafes in certain council districts

 

Be it enacted by the Council as follows:

 

Section 1. Sidewalk cafe and roadway cafe license fee waiver pilot program. a. Definitions. As used in this local law, the following terms have the following meanings:

City. The term “city” means the city of New York.

Commissioner. The term “commissioner” means the commissioner of transportation.

Covered council districts. The term “covered council districts” means the 10 council districts with the fewest number of active licenses granted or renewed under section 19-160 of the administrative code of the city of New York for the operation and establishment of sidewalk cafes and roadway cafes, as of the effective date of this local law.

Department. The term “department” means the department of transportation.

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

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

b. Pilot program. The commissioner shall establish a pilot program to waive license fees established under subdivision g of section 19-160 of the administrative code of the city of New York for licenses granted or renewed to establish and operate sidewalk cafes and roadway cafes in covered council districts. Such program shall commence 90 days after the effective date of this local law and shall have a duration of 2 years.

c. Report. No later than 90 days after the conclusion of the pilot program established under subdivision b of this section, the commissioner shall submit to the mayor and speaker of the council, and post on the department’s website, a report regarding such program that includes, at minimum, the following information:

1. The number of sidewalk cafes in each covered council district before the start of such program;

2. The number of sidewalk cafes in each covered council district at the conclusion of such program;

3. The percentage difference in the number of sidewalk cafes in each covered council district between the start and conclusion of such program;

4. The number of roadway cafes in each covered council district before the start of such program;

5. The number of roadway cafes in each covered council district at the conclusion of such program;

6. The percentage difference in the number of roadway cafes in each covered council district between the start and conclusion of such program;

7. The amount of money the city had to expend under such program to carry out licensing of sidewalk cafes and roadway cafes; and

8. A recommendation and accompanying explanation regarding whether to make such program permanent.

§ 2. This local law takes effect immediately.

 

EH

LS #24181

9/4/2026 10:00 AM