NYC property owners see big increase in $1,000 pigeon poop fines: ‘For the birds!’
The city’s Health Department isn’t taking crap anymore when it comes to pigeon poop – socking landlords with 29% more summonses in 2023 compared to the previous year, data reviewed By The Post shows.
The agency issued 295 summonses last year to property owners who failed to clean up “unsanitary pigeon conditions” — compared to 228 dished out in 2022, records show.
Inspectors also issued 76 summonses through the first two months of this year – putting them on pace to double 2022’s totals.
Property owners are typically first handed a “Commissioner’s Order to Abate,” allowing at least 5 days to clean up the mess before a follow-up inspection — or risk being slammed with a summons carrying a whopping $1,000 fine.
Councilwoman Joann Ariola (R-Queens) hailed the unofficial crackdown, saying property owners ignoring pigeon poop is a big problem in her district, which includes Ozone Park and Rockaway Park.
“It’s unhealthy and unsightly, and has a direct negative impact on New Yorkers’ quality of life,” she said.
Exposure to pigeon dropping in rare cases could spur respiratory problems and other health issues, according to Health Department.
But David Rose, chairman of the Fordham Road Business Improvement District in The Bronx ripped the $1,000 “nuisance condition” summons he received Feb. 8 as “unfair” and “unnecessary,” especially since “more serious issues” like rat infestation only carry $300 fines for first-offender property owners.
Rose, who plans to fight the ticket before an administrative law judge, also accused the city of not having it’s priorities straight. He noted street vendors are routinely breaking all sorts of laws in plain sight.
“The city is focusing on what they describe as a ‘public nuisance’ of less than one square foot of pigeon poop at a time when business corridors are dealing with significant quality of life issues” and as elected officials consider “legislation that would further cram our already overcrowded sidewalks,” said Rose, referring to a controversial proposal that would allow street vendors to put pushcarts in the middle of sidewalks.
“I’ve seen a lot of crap over the years, but this one is really for the birds,” he added.
The city’s 311 hotline received 1,060 complaints about pigeon poop last year, up nearly 10 percent from 969 a year earlier, records show.
In 2023, the Health Department acting on the complaints issued 604 warnings to property owners bombarded by bird droppings, a 39% increase from 435 in 2022. During the first two months of this year, the agency issued 106 warnings, including Rose on Jan. 31.
Councilman Robert Holden (D-Queens) said property owners play a big role in keeping neighborhood’s vibrant but believes a $1,000 fine — especially for a first offense — is “too harsh.”
