SERVICE
Report a violation of sidewalk or parking lane use by businesses
What to do if you see businesses not following rules for their shared space or parklet
What to know
Businesses may use the sidewalk or parking lane
They must follow the permit rules.
Tell 311
Submit a complaint online if you see a business that may be violating Shared Spaces permit rules.
Do not call 911 unless you or someone else is in immediate danger.
What to do
1. Check the rules
Businesses must:
- Display a copy of the permit outside during business hours
- Follow local, state, and federal accessibility requirements
- Not obstruct the sidewalk next to a bus stop, blue curb zone, white curb zone, or bike rack
- Keep curb ramps, doors, driveways, fire escapes, and Fire Department connections free of obstructions
- Keep sidewalk clean of trash, debris, and food waste at all times
If you see a violation to any of these rules, you can tell 311.
2. Tell 311
Submit a complaint online if you see a business violating Shared Spaces rules.
Provide as much information as you can, including:
- Name of business or organization
- Address
- What you saw
- When you saw it
You can also call 311.
3. After you submit your complaint
We will send complaints to the Entertainment Commission’s Community Education and Response Team (CERT).
CERT will then look into and will focus on educating and helping businesses comply.
If a business still doesn’t follow the permit rules, the complaint is sent to Municipal Transportation Agency’s (MTA), Department of Public Works (DPW) or the Mayor’s Office on Disability (MOD) for resolution.
After you report, you will get a tracking number from 311. You can use this number and your email address, to track your case online.
Get help
Online complaint
What to know
Businesses may use the sidewalk or parking lane
They must follow the permit rules.
Tell 311
Submit a complaint online if you see a business that may be violating Shared Spaces permit rules.
Do not call 911 unless you or someone else is in immediate danger.
What to do
1. Check the rules
Businesses must:
- Display a copy of the permit outside during business hours
- Follow local, state, and federal accessibility requirements
- Not obstruct the sidewalk next to a bus stop, blue curb zone, white curb zone, or bike rack
- Keep curb ramps, doors, driveways, fire escapes, and Fire Department connections free of obstructions
- Keep sidewalk clean of trash, debris, and food waste at all times
If you see a violation to any of these rules, you can tell 311.
2. Tell 311
Submit a complaint online if you see a business violating Shared Spaces rules.
Provide as much information as you can, including:
- Name of business or organization
- Address
- What you saw
- When you saw it
You can also call 311.
3. After you submit your complaint
We will send complaints to the Entertainment Commission’s Community Education and Response Team (CERT).
CERT will then look into and will focus on educating and helping businesses comply.
If a business still doesn’t follow the permit rules, the complaint is sent to Municipal Transportation Agency’s (MTA), Department of Public Works (DPW) or the Mayor’s Office on Disability (MOD) for resolution.
After you report, you will get a tracking number from 311. You can use this number and your email address, to track your case online.