Popular Ordinance Questions

Chickens

Chickens are allowed in Manhattan as long as they are confined on your property (not running at large) and do not become a public nuisance. Keeping a chicken in a stable, shed, or pen within 25 feet of another's house in prohibited. There are no limits on the number of chickens, and no fees or licenses required.  See Chapter 6, Article I for more information.

Dangerous Dogs

The City of Manhattan prohibits any person frown owning, keeping, or harboring a dangerous dog unless that person complies with several requirements including confinement, leash and muzzle, notice, registration and reporting, insurance, neutering, and identification. A dangerous dog includes, among other things, any dog which has a propensity, tendency or disposition to attack unprovoked, to cause injury or to otherwise endanger the safety of human beings or domestic animals or any dog which has attacked a human being or domestic animal without provocation. Any owner, keeper or harborer of a dog that is a size and breed that allows the dog to be capable of inflicting life-threatening injuries is held to a very high standard of care. Examples of breeds to which this standard applies include, but are not limited to: 

  •  American Pit Bull Terrier
  • American Staffordshire Terrier
  • Cane Corso
  • Chow
  • Doberman Pinscher
  • German Shepherd
  • Rottweiler
  • Staffordshire Bull Terrier
  • Others

See Chapter 6, Article II for more information.

Hands-Free Driving

Talking on or listening to a cellphone or other wireless communication device, such as a laptop, is prohibited while operating a motor vehicle on a public road or highway in Manhattan. Hands-free use via Bluetooth or other technology is permitted. See more information on mobile device use in Manhattan.

No Smoking

Smoking and using e-cigarettes is prohibited in several enclosed areas in Manhattan including public places, taxicabs and transportation network vehicles (e.g., Uber, Lyft), common areas in public or private buildings, and places of employment. Smoking and using e-cigarettes is also prohibited in several unenclosed areas including access points of buildings and facilities that are not exempted, city-owned parking garages, and near outdoor parks and recreation areas. See Chapter 17, Article III for more information.

Noise

Violations of noise restrictions, including noise from animals, vehicles, and the operation of lawn care equipment, can constitute a nuisance. Amplified sound, including voices or music from a television or speaker, can also be a nuisance depending on the zoning district and time. See Chapter 22, Article V and the Noise Ordinance webpage for more information .

Non-Discrimination

The City Commission prohibits discrimination because of sexual orientation or gender identity in employment, housing, and public accommodations.  View additional information about the non-discrimination ordinance.

Sidewalk Maintenance

Private sidewalks are maintained by property owners, according to the International Property Maintenance Code.