N.Y.C. Admin. Code tit. 27, ch. 2 § 27-2021
Receptacles for waste matter (New York City Housing Maintenance Code)
Operative Text
a. The owner or occupant in control of a dwelling shall provide and maintain metal cans, or other receptacles jointly approved as to specifications by the department, the department of sanitation and the department of health and mental hygiene, for the exclusive use of each building, which shall be of sufficient size and number to contain the wastes accumulated in such building during a period of seventy-two hours. No receptacle shall be filled to a height so as to prevent the effective closure thereof and no receptacle shall weigh more than one hundred pounds when filled. The receptacles shall be so constructed as to hold their contents without leakage. Metal cans shall be provided with tight-fitting covers and other receptacles shall be effectively closed. When requested by the department of sanitation, the owner or occupant in control shall separate and place in separate receptacles, ashes, organic and inorganic wastes. Nothing contained in this subdivision shall prevent the department, the department of sanitation and the department of health and mental hygiene from jointly approving as to specifications other systems for the disposal of waste utilizing containers of larger size and different construction as may be appropriate for such systems. b. Metal cans shall be kept within the dwelling or as required by the department until the time for removal of their contents when they shall be placed in front of the dwelling. When inside storage is required, receptacles of other materials shall be kept in a metal can or a ratproof and fireproof room until the time of their removal when they shall be removed from the metal can and be neatly stacked in front of the dwelling. After the contents have been removed by the department of sanitation, any receptacles remaining shall be returned promptly to their place of storage. Metal cans shall be kept covered at all times and shall be disinfected regularly and maintained in a sanitary condition. Yard sweepings, hedge cuttings, grass, leaves, earth, stone, or bricks shall not be mixed with household wastes. c. Newspapers, wrapping paper, or other inorganic wastes which are likely to be blown or scattered about the streets shall be securely bundled, tied or packed before being placed for collection. Such material shall be kept and placed for collection in the same manner as the receptacles.
N.Y.C. Admin. Code §§ 27-2001 and 27-2021 establish rules governing how waste receptacles must be provided, maintained, and used in dwellings. Receptacles must be metal cans or other jointly approved containers, large enough to hold 72 hours of accumulated waste, kept leak-proof, covered, and under 100 pounds when full. The rules also specify how and when containers are stored and placed for collection, how yard debris must be kept separate from household waste, and how loose paper and inorganic materials must be bundled before pickup.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under N.Y.C. Admin. Code §§ 27-2001 and 27-2021, compliant building owners and managers generally supply an adequate number of approved, leak-proof waste receptacles with tight-fitting covers for each building, sized to handle at least 72 hours of accumulated waste. Operators typically store containers inside the building or in a ratproof, fireproof room until the designated collection time, then place them in front of the dwelling, retrieving any remaining receptacles promptly after pickup. Maintaining receptacles in a sanitary, disinfected condition and ensuring yard debris, ashes, and loose paper materials are properly separated or bundled are also standard practices under this provision.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
N.Y.C. Admin. Code §§ 27-2001 and 27-2021 give occupants a basis to expect that the owner or person in control of their building provides sufficient, properly maintained waste receptacles that meet city standards. If receptacles are absent, inadequate, or kept in unsanitary conditions, tenants may have grounds to raise this as a housing maintenance violation. General enforcement paths include filing a complaint with the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development or consulting a tenant-rights organization familiar with the Housing Maintenance Code.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 14, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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