N.Y.C. Admin. Code tit. 27, ch. 2 § 27-2022
Frequency of collection of waste matter from dwelling units in multiple dwellings (New York City Housing Maintenance Code)
Operative Text
a. The owner of a multiple dwelling shall not allow the accumulation except in a lawful receptacle of ashes or any type of waste matter in any part of the premises. b. In multiple dwellings where the owner provides dumbwaiter service, all waste matter shall be collected at least once daily and deposited in separate receptacles. c. In multiple dwellings where no dumbwaiter service is provided, the owner shall provide between the hours of seven a.m. and ten a.m. or between five p.m. and eight p.m. daily: (1) a sufficient number of receptacles but in no event less than two within the dwelling or other area approved by the department which are accessible to the tenants. Such receptacles shall be removed promptly upon the expiration of the selected time period and taken to their place of storage; or (2) a pick-up service at each dwelling unit to collect ashes and wastes for deposit in the receptacles referred to in section 27-2021 of this article. The owner shall post and maintain a notice in a conspicuous place in the dwelling informing the tenants of the hour and method of collection. A new notice shall be posted and maintained within forty-eight hours preceding any change in such hour or method. d. The tenant of a multiple dwelling shall dispose of waste matter in accordance with the method provided by the owner under subdivision b or c of this section. The tenant shall not accumulate any waste matter in his or her dwelling unit so as to create a condition which is unsanitary or a fire hazard in the judgment of the department. e. Subdivisions b, c and d of this section shall not apply to any multiple dwelling where regular incinerator services or other means of disposal approved by the department are provided. The tenant in such a dwelling shall dispose of waste matter in an incinerator or by such other approved means of disposal and shall not permit wastes to accumulate so as to create a condition which is unsanitary or a fire hazard in the judgment of the department.
Under N.Y.C. Admin. Code §§ 27-2001 and 27-2022, owners of multiple dwellings are required to prevent waste accumulation outside of lawful receptacles and to ensure waste is collected on a regular daily schedule — either through dumbwaiter service, designated receptacle access during set morning or evening hours, or a unit-by-unit pickup service. Tenants, in turn, are obligated to use whatever waste disposal method the owner provides and must not allow waste to build up in their units to the point of creating unsanitary conditions or fire hazards. Buildings with approved incinerator or alternative disposal systems are exempt from the specific scheduling requirements, though tenants in those buildings still must use the approved disposal method and avoid unsafe accumulation.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Owners and property managers operating under §§ 27-2001 and 27-2022 generally maintain a clearly defined daily waste collection system — whether through dumbwaiter service, timed receptacle availability during the prescribed morning (7–10 a.m.) or evening (5–8 p.m.) windows, or a door-to-door pickup service. Compliant operators ensure that a sufficient number of receptacles (no fewer than two) are accessible to tenants during the designated collection period and are promptly removed and stored afterward. When a building uses a pickup service, operators typically post a conspicuous notice stating the collection hour and method, and update that notice at least 48 hours before any change takes effect.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under §§ 27-2001 and 27-2022, tenants in multiple dwellings have a right to a functioning waste collection system provided by the owner, and are expected to use that system rather than allowing waste to accumulate in their units. If an owner fails to provide the required receptacles, pickup service, or proper notice of collection times, tenants may have grounds to raise that failure as a housing maintenance violation. Tenants who believe their building is out of compliance can explore options such as filing a complaint with the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development or reaching out to a local tenant-rights organization for guidance.
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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