Posted by Waste Happy
on September 10, 2026
Quick answer: Yes. New York City requires dog owners to pick up after their dogs under N.Y. Public Health Law § 1310. The set ticket for a first offense is $250.
What the New York City ordinance says
| Ordinance | N.Y. Public Health Law § 1310 (enforced by DSNY; penalty in the DSNY penalty schedule, 16 RCNY § 19-103); also NYC Health Code § 161.03 (animal nuisance) |
|---|---|
| Fine | $250 |
| Must carry a bag | No |
| Service animal exemption | Yes |
How the penalty works
DSNY's penalty schedule for violations heard by OATH (16 RCNY § 19-103, adopted rule effective November 14, 2021) lists 'Failure to remove canine waste' under PHL § 1310 at $250, with a $250 default penalty. The statute caps the penalty at $250, and DSNY's Animal Waste page says violators 'may be fined up to $250.' No separate repeat-offense amount is published. A separate Health Code § 161.03 charge (permitting an animal to commit a nuisance; the Code defines animal nuisances to include feces) carries a $200 standard penalty and a $400 default penalty in the Health Department schedule (24 RCNY Chapter 7, Appendix 7-A). The DSNY schedule was read in the rule text linked from the NYC Rules page, which marks the rule adopted; the codified 16 RCNY and the NYC Administrative Code are hosted on amlegal, which blocks automated access, so neither was searched further. NYC Parks rules could not be read (nycgovparks.org returned 403).
The carry rule
Neither PHL § 1310 nor Health Code § 161.03 requires carrying bags or a scooper; the duty is removal. DSNY guidance says dog waste may go in household trash, down the toilet, or in a tied bag into a public litter basket.
Service animals
PHL § 1310 does not apply to a guide dog, hearing dog or service dog accompanying a person with a disability as defined in Executive Law § 292(21). DSNY's complaint page says guide dogs and other service animals cannot be reported. Health Code § 161.03 has no such exemption.
How New York City compares
New York City is the only one of the largest cities in New York we checked with a set ticket amount. The others leave the figure to a judge.
In practice
Pick up every time, bag it, and put it in a trash can. That is the one method that satisfies every ordinance in the country. The Walk Dispenser clips to the leash and holds a full roll.
Elsewhere in New York
New York dog poop laws covers the state and its other large cities. Nearby: Buffalo dog poop law · Yonkers dog poop law. All 50 states.
Source
Checked 2026-09-10 against the New York City municipal code. Codes change, so read the current version before relying on this for an actual citation.
This page is general information, not legal advice.
