NYC to Eliminate Fines on Small Business for First-Time Violations

New York – Small businesses that violate a wide range of infractions in New York City will get a break on the first time and will be given time to correct them, Mayor Bill de Blasio said Thursday.

Fines subject to relief include those slapped by the departments of Buildings, Environmental Protection, Transportation, Sanitation, and Consumer and Worker Protection. De Blasio said his administration will work with the City Council to review more than 75 violations for forgiveness.

The leniency goes into effect in the fall.

“New York City is not New York City without our small businesses,” de Blasio said. “We will not be a city that gives in to corporate takeover. Instead, we’ll fight for our mom-and-pops and do all we can to help them thrive.”
To ensure businesses are aware of these changes, agencies will update their summonses to include clear and easy explanations for how to fix the violation.

Some examples of fines scheduled to be forgiven for first offenses include a failure to clean 18 inches from the curb into the street, which carries a $100 penalty, and generating excessive noise by an air compressor, which has a $560 penalty.
In addition, some violations will no longer immediately be fines; storeowners, instead, will be given a “cure” date by when to correct them. Examples include if a scale used for weighed items at supermarkets or bodegas are not clearly in sight of customers, which has a $75 penalty, a failure to disclose details about layaway plans, which carries a $260 penalty, and a failure to post clear price list at laundromats, which has a $375 penalty.