Newspaper Box Cleanup Bill Passes

NEW YORK CITY – The New York City Council has passed legislation aimed at improving the regulation and maintenance of sidewalk newspaper boxes across the city.

Council Member Erik Bottcher, who represents District 3 on Manhattan's West Side, introduced the bill, known as Intro. 663, which empowers the city to establish standards for the appearance, placement, and upkeep of newsracks on public sidewalks.

The new law enables the Department of Transportation (DOT) to create rules on the size, shape, and materials of newsracks and limits their placement near certain sidewalk infrastructure.

Owners are now required to display contact information directly on each newsrack, making it easier for the public to report any issues.

The legislation addresses long-standing complaints about broken, graffiti-covered, and often abandoned newspaper boxes, which contribute to sidewalk congestion and pose safety hazards, per a press release. Additionally, many of these newsracks have shifted from providing free publications to displaying commercial advertising, further diminishing their original purpose.

The new law requires the DOT to collaborate with the Mayor’s Office of Ethnic and Community Media to communicate these changes to newsrack owners – both in English and the language of the publication – ensuring they’re aware of the new standards and requirements.

“In true New York fashion, people have sort of a love/hate relationship with sidewalk newsracks,” said Council Member Erik Bottcher, in a statement.

“We love convenient access to favorite local publications, but we don’t love it when the newsracks are broken, abandoned, filthy, or tipped over. [This bill] will establish clear guidelines and help ensure that our local publications get to maintain their newsracks while also helping to alleviate sidewalk congestion.”

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