NYC Street Cleaning Pilot: What Drivers Should Know

PROSPECT HEIGHTS— The City will test once-a-week street cleaning on 12 street segments in Prospect Heights, cutting the number of days drivers must move their cars.

The pilot runs through Sept. 25.

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The Department of Sanitation launched the program after years of feedback from Prospect Heights residents who questioned whether twice-weekly alternate-side parking actually helps keep their streets clean.

Brooklyn typically requires drivers to move their cars four times a week.

With fewer cleaning days, more drivers may move their cars when required, giving sanitation crews clearer access to the curb and allowing street sweepers to clean more effectively.

The pilot follows DSNY's return to its green-sticker enforcement program for vehicles that remain parked during alternate-side cleaning hours.

Some residents and drivers have raised concerns about reducing cleaning frequency, particularly the potential for more litter, rats and other quality-of-life problems.

Council Member Crystal Hudson, who represents Prospect Heights, hopes the pilot will eventually become permanent.

"If we see an increase in compliance and people are actually moving their cars on the designated days, hopefully this can become a more permanent program," Hudson said.

But there's a catch: the City hasn't replaced the existing parking signs, which still show the regular street-cleaning schedule.

DSNY will enforce only one day a week during the pilot: Thursday or Friday, depending on the side of the street.

Without clear street-by-street guidance, drivers could remain unsure which day applies and continue moving their cars twice a week anyway.

The pilot covers these 12 street segments:

• Pacific Street, between Grand Avenue and Vanderbilt Avenue
• Dean Street, between Vanderbilt Avenue and Grand Avenue
• Bergen Street, between Grand Avenue and Vanderbilt Avenue
• St. Marks Avenue, between Vanderbilt Avenue and Grand Avenue
• Prospect Place, between Grand Avenue and Vanderbilt Avenue
• Park Place, between Vanderbilt Avenue and Grand Avenue
• Sterling Place, between Washington Avenue and Vanderbilt Avenue
• St. John's Place, between Plaza Street East and Washington Avenue
• Lincoln Place, between Washington Avenue and Underhill Avenue
• Butler Place, between Plaza Street East and Sterling Place
• Underhill Avenue, between Eastern Parkway and Atlantic Avenue
• Washington Avenue, between Prospect Place and Atlantic Avenue

Hudson's office asks drivers who receive a ticket incorrectly during the pilot to email District35@council.nyc.gov with their name, license plate number and ticket number. A photo of the ticket can also help.

DSNY stated it voided tickets that officers issued incorrectly when the pilot began.