General Provisions

NYC Admin. Code tit. 20, ch. 15, subch. 1

in effect

NYC Admin. Code § 20-1501 Definitions.

§ 20-1501 Definitions. Editor's note: this section has been amended by L.L. 2026/034, 1/17/2026, eff. 1/17/2027. As used in this chapter, the following terms have the following meanings: Compliant delivery device. The term “compliant delivery device” means a delivery device that is in compliance with applicable law, rules and regulations, including a powered mobility device that meets the standards for distribution, sale, lease or rental pursuant to section 20-610. Contracted delivery worker. The term “contracted delivery worker” means any natural person or any organization composed of no more than 1 natural person, whether or not incorporated or employing a trade name, who is retained by a delivery service to deliver goods in exchange for compensation, including, but not limited to, a food delivery worker, provided that the term “contracted delivery worker” does not include any natural person or any organization composed of no more than 1 natural person, whether or not incorporated or employing a trade name, who delivers goods solely using a vehicle required by federal or state law, rule or regulation to be registered with the federal motor carrier safety administration. Customer. The term “customer” means a person that places an order for, accepts or receives goods delivered by, through or with the assistance of a delivery service. Deactivation. The term “deactivation” means any indefinite or permanent discharge, termination or layoff of a contracted delivery worker or any revocation or restriction of a contracted delivery worker’s access to the delivery platform or authorization to accept deliveries on the delivery platform. Delivery service. The term “delivery service” means a person that facilitates, offers, or arranges for the delivery of goods to or from a location in the city, including, but not limited to, a third-party food delivery service and a third-party courier service, provided that the term “delivery service” does not include any such person that facilitates, offers or arranges fewer than 50 trips each week, or any person that facilitates, offers or arranges for the delivery of goods solely by vehicles required by federal or state law, rule or regulation to be registered with the federal motor carrier safety administration. Eligible device. The term “eligible device” means a powered mobility device or lithium-ion battery that does not meet the requirements for sale contained in section 20-610, a motorized scooter as defined in subdivision a section 19-176.2, or a limited use motorcycle as defined in section 121-b of the vehicle and traffic law. Food delivery worker. The term “food delivery worker” means any natural person or any organization composed of no more than 1 natural person, whether or not incorporated or employing a trade name, who is retained by a third-party food delivery service required to be licensed pursuant to section 20-563.1 or a third-party courier service to deliver goods from a business to a customer in exchange for compensation. Food service establishment. The term “food service establishment” means a business establishment located within the city where food is provided for individual portion service directly to the consumer whether such food is provided free of charge or sold, and whether consumption occurs on or off the premises or is provided from a pushcart, stand or vehicle. Goods. The term “goods” means 1 or more items, parcels, packages, products, or articles of any type, including but not limited to food, beverages, groceries, or papers. Gratuity. The term “gratuity” means a sum of money (i) paid voluntarily by a customer for an order of goods placed or delivered by, through or with the assistance of a delivery service, (ii) that is in addition to the purchase price of the goods and any mandatory charges such as taxes and fees, (iii) the amount of which the customer may choose, and (iv) that is referred to by a delivery service as a gratuity, tip or other similar term that would suggest to a reasonable person that the sum, or a substantial portion thereof, would be received by a contracted delivery worker in addition to any compensation from the delivery service. Grocery delivery worker. The term “grocery delivery worker” means any natural person or any organization composed of no more than 1 natural person, whether or not incorporated or employing a trade name, who is retained by a third-party grocery delivery service to deliver goods from a business to a customer in exchange for compensation. Pay period. The term “pay period” means a fixed and regularly recurring period of 168 hours or 7 consecutive 24-hour periods. Powered mobility device. The term “powered mobility device” means a powered bicycle or a powered mobility device, as such terms are defined in subchapter 2 of chapter 4 of title 20. Retail food establishment. The term “retail food establishment” means any business establishment located in the city that is licensed as a food processing establishment pursuant to article 20-C of the agriculture and markets law or as a retail food store or food warehouse pursuant to article 28 of the agriculture and markets law. Retained. The term “retained” means hired, or retained or engaged, as an independent contractor. Third-party courier service. The term “third-party courier service” means a service that (i) facilitates the same-day delivery or same-day pickup of food, beverages, or other goods from a food service establishment on behalf of such food service establishment or a third-party food delivery service; and (ii) that is owned and operated by a person other than the person who owns such food service establishment. Third-party food delivery service. The term “third-party food delivery service” means any website, mobile application, or other internet service that: (i) offers or arranges for the sale of food and beverages prepared by, and the same-day delivery or same-day pickup of food and beverages from, a food service establishment; and (ii) that is owned and operated by a person other than the person who owns such food service establishment. Third-party grocery delivery service. The term “third-party grocery delivery service” means any website, mobile application, or other internet service that: (i) facilitates, offers or arranges for the delivery of goods from a retail food establishment; and (ii) is owned or operated by a person other than the person who owns such retail food establishment. Toilet facility. The term “toilet facility” means a room or space on the premises of a food service establishment or other business that: (i) contains a toilet or urinal and sink or similar washing facility; and (ii) is a dedicated facility for its patrons, or that is a dedicated facility for its employees to the extent such establishment or business does not have a dedicated facility for its patrons. Trip. The term “trip” means the time spent, distance travelled, and route followed by a contracted delivery worker to deliver goods, including, but not limited to, travel to 1 or more pick-up locations; selecting, preparing, assembling, waiting for, and picking up the goods for delivery; and travel to and unloading and depositing such goods at 1 or more drop-off locations, including any time spent waiting for goods to be retrieved by a customer or other person, provided that the term “trip” shall not include any time spent, distance travelled or route followed for the delivery of goods using a vehicle that is required by federal or state law, rule or regulation to be registered with the federal motor carrier safety administration. (L.L. 2021/114, 10/24/2021, eff. 4/22/2022; Am. L.L. 2023/017, 2/1/2023, eff. 2/1/2023; Am. L.L. 2025/095, 7/30/2025, eff. 1/26/2026; Am. L.L. 2025/123, 9/10/2025, eff. 9/10/2025; Am. L.L. 2025/124, 9/10/2025, eff. 1/26/2026) Editor's note: For related unconsolidated provisions, see Appendix A at L.L. 2025/123, L.L. 2025/124 and L.L. 2026/034.

NYC Admin. Code § 20-1502 Outreach and education.

§ 20-1502 Outreach and education. The commissioner shall conduct outreach and education about the provisions of this chapter. Such outreach and education shall be provided to contracted delivery workers and delivery services. (L.L. 2021/114, 10/24/2021, eff. 4/22/2022; Am. L.L. 2025/123, 9/10/2025, eff. 9/10/2025) Editor's note: For related unconsolidated provisions, see Appendix A at L.L. 2025/123.

NYC Admin. Code § 20-1503 Reporting.

§ 20-1503 Reporting. The department shall annually report on its website the number and nature of the complaints received pursuant to this chapter, the results of investigations undertaken pursuant to this chapter, including the number of complaints not substantiated and the number of notices of violations issued, the number and nature of adjudications held to resolve notices of violation issued pursuant to this chapter, and the average time for a complaint to be resolved pursuant to this chapter. (L.L. 2021/114, 10/24/2021, eff. 4/22/2022)

NYC Admin. Code § 20-1504 Retaliation.

§ 20-1504 Retaliation. No person shall take any adverse action against a contracted delivery worker that penalizes such worker for, or is reasonably likely to deter such worker from, exercising or attempting to exercise any right protected under this chapter. Adverse actions include threats, intimidation, harassment, discipline, denial of work opportunities to or discrimination against a contracted delivery worker, reduction in hours or pay, reduction or downgrade of a worker's public or internal rating, and other negative consequences imposed on a contracted delivery worker, including actions related to perceived immigration status or work authorization. A contracted delivery worker need not explicitly refer to this chapter or the rights enumerated herein to be protected from retaliation. (L.L. 2021/114, 10/24/2021, eff. 4/22/2022; Am. L.L. 2025/123, 9/10/2025, eff. 9/10/2025) Editor's note: For related unconsolidated provisions, see Appendix A at L.L. 2025/123.

NYC Admin. Code § 20-1505 Notice of rights.

§ 20-1505 Notice of rights. a. The commissioner shall publish and make available a notice for a delivery service to provide to contracted delivery workers informing them of their rights protected under this chapter. Such notice shall be made available on the city's website and shall be updated if any changes are made to the requirements of this chapter or as otherwise deemed appropriate by the commissioner. b. A delivery service shall provide such notice electronically to each contracted delivery worker retained by such service. Such notice shall be in English and the preferred language of the contracted delivery worker, provided that the commissioner has made the notice available in such language, and further provided that such contracted delivery worker has communicated their preferred language to the delivery service. (L.L. 2021/114, 10/24/2021, eff. 4/22/2022; Am. L.L. 2025/123, 9/10/2025, eff. 9/10/2025) Editor's note: For related unconsolidated provisions, see Appendix A at L.L. 2025/123.

NYC Admin. Code § 20-1506 Recordkeeping.

§ 20-1506 Recordkeeping. a. A delivery service shall retain records documenting its compliance with the applicable requirements of this chapter for a period of 3 years and shall allow the department to access such records and other information, consistent with applicable law and in accordance with rules of the department and with appropriate notice, in furtherance of an investigation conducted pursuant to this chapter. A delivery service must maintain records in their original format and provide such records to the department in their original format or a machine-readable electronic format as set forth in rules of the department. The department also may establish by rule, and require delivery services to adhere to, a uniform system of records, and require submission of such records and other reports as the department may determine, in accordance with applicable law and rules and with appropriate notice. b. The failure of a delivery service to maintain, retain, or produce a record or other information required to be maintained by this chapter and requested by the department in furtherance of an investigation conducted pursuant to this chapter that is relevant to a material fact alleged by the department in a notice of violation issued pursuant to this subchapter creates a rebuttable presumption that such fact is true. c. To implement or enforce the provisions of this chapter or to promulgate any rule necessary and appropriate to the administration of this chapter, the department may issue orders or subpoenas for the production of data, documents, testimony, or other information from a delivery service, a food service establishment, or any person that sells or provides goods delivered by, through or with the assistance of a delivery service. Such data, documents, testimony, or other information may include, but is not limited to, identifying and contact information of contracted delivery workers; information about the times that contracted delivery workers are available to work for delivery services; work schedules of contracted delivery workers; the mode of transportation contracted delivery workers use, including the makes and models of vehicles or devices; information about trips or other work opportunities that are offered, assigned, or performed by contracted delivery workers; contracted delivery workers’ pay, gratuities, and benefits; agreements with or internal policies covering contracted delivery workers; insurance policies covering contracted delivery workers; charges imposed by delivery services on customers, food service establishments or any person who sells or provides goods delivered by, through or with the assistance of a delivery service; and any other information deemed relevant by the department. In accordance with applicable law and rules and upon reasonable notice of no less than 14 days, a person who receives a request or subpoena for data, documents, or other information pursuant to this section shall produce such data, documents or information to the department in its original format or a machine-readable electronic format as set forth in rules of the department. (L.L. 2021/114, 10/24/2021, eff. 4/22/2022; Am. L.L. 2025/123, 9/10/2025, eff. 9/10/2025) Editor's note: For related unconsolidated provisions, see Appendix A at L.L. 2025/123.

NYC Admin. Code § 20-1507 Administrative enforcement.

§ 20-1507 Administrative enforcement. Editor's note: this section has been amended by L.L. 2026/034, 1/17/2026, eff. 1/17/2027. a. The commissioner shall enforce the provisions of this chapter. b. 1. Any person alleging a violation of this chapter may file a complaint with the department within 2 years of the date the person knew or should have known of the alleged violation. 2. Upon receiving such a complaint, the department shall investigate it. 3. The department may open an investigation on its own initiative. 4. A person or entity under investigation shall, in accordance with applicable law, provide the department with information or evidence that the department requests pursuant to the investigation. The department may attempt to resolve an investigation concerning a violation of this chapter through any action authorized by chapter 64 of the charter. Adjudicatory powers pursuant to this subchapter may be exercised by the commissioner or by the office of administrative trials and hearings pursuant to chapter 64 of the charter, in accordance with any delegation of such adjudicatory powers by the department to such office pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (h) of section 2203 of the charter. 5. The department shall keep the identity of any complainant confidential unless disclosure is necessary to resolve the investigation or is otherwise required by law. The department shall, to the extent practicable, notify such complainant that the department will be disclosing the complainant's identity before such disclosure. c. The commissioner may promulgate rules necessary and appropriate to the administration of this chapter. (L.L. 2021/114, 10/24/2021, eff. 4/22/2022; Am. L.L. 2025/123, 9/10/2025, eff. 9/10/2025) Editor's note: For related unconsolidated provisions, see Appendix A at L.L. 2025/123 and L.L. 2026/034.

NYC Admin. Code § 20-1508 Remedies for workers.

§ 20-1508 Remedies for workers. Editor's note: this section has been amended by L.L. 2026/034, 1/17/2026, eff. 1/17/2027. a. For violations of their rights under this chapter, a contracted delivery worker shall be entitled to the following relief: 1. all compensatory damages and other relief required to make the worker or former worker whole; 2. an order directing compliance with the requirements set forth in this chapter; and 3. for each violation of: (a) section 20-1504, (1) $500 for each violation not involving denial of future work opportunities; (2) $2,500 for each violation involving denial of future work opportunities; and (3) any equitable relief appropriate under the circumstances, including but not limited to payment of any lost earnings resulting from such retaliation. (b) section 20-1521, $200; (c) section 20-1522, including any minimum payment established by rule pursuant to section 20-1522, 3 times the amount of any payment that should have been made and was not timely made; (d) section 20-1523, $200; (e) section 20-1524, $200; and (f) section 20-1527, $200. b. The relief authorized by this section shall be imposed on a per worker and per instance basis for each violation. (L.L. 2021/114, 10/24/2021, eff. 4/22/2022; Am. L.L. 2025/123, 9/10/2025, eff. 9/10/2025) Editor's note: For related unconsolidated provisions, see Appendix A at L.L. 2025/123 and L.L. 2026/034.

NYC Admin. Code § 20-1509 Civil penalties.

§ 20-1509 Civil penalties. Editor's note: this section has been amended by L.L. 2026/034, 1/17/2026, eff. 1/17/2027. a. For each violation of this chapter, any person is liable for a penalty of $500 for the first violation and, for subsequent violations that occur within 2 years of any previous violation of this chapter, up to $750 for the second violation and up to $1,000 for each succeeding violation. b. The penalties imposed pursuant to this section shall be imposed on a per worker and per instance basis for each violation. (L.L. 2021/114, 10/24/2021, eff. 4/22/2022; Am. L.L. 2025/123, 9/10/2025, eff. 9/10/2025) Editor's note: For related unconsolidated provisions, see Appendix A at L.L. 2025/123 and L.L. 2026/034.

NYC Admin. Code § 20-1510 Enforcement by the corporation counsel.

§ 20-1510 Enforcement by the corporation counsel. The corporation counsel or such other persons designated by the corporation counsel on behalf of the department may initiate in any court of competent jurisdiction any action or proceeding that may be appropriate or necessary for correction of any violation issued pursuant to sections 20-1507 through 20-1509, including actions to secure permanent injunctions, enjoining any acts or practices that constitute such violation, mandating compliance with the provisions of this chapter, or such other relief as may be appropriate. (L.L. 2021/114, 10/24/2021, eff. 4/22/2022)

NYC Admin. Code § 20-1511 Private cause of action.

§ 20-1511 Private cause of action. Editor's note: this section has been amended by L.L. 2026/034, 1/17/2026, eff. 1/17/2027. a. Any person alleging a violation of the following provisions of this chapter may bring a civil action, in accordance with applicable law, in any court of competent jurisdiction: 1. section 20-1504; 2. section 20-1521; 3. section 20-1522, including any minimum payment established by rule pursuant to section 20-1522; 4. section 20-1523; and 5. section 20-1524. b. Such court may order compensatory, injunctive and declaratory relief, including the remedies set forth in section 20-1508, and reasonable attorney's fees and costs. c. A civil action under this section shall be commenced within 2 years of the date the person knew or should have known of the alleged violation. d. 1. Any person filing a civil action shall simultaneously serve notice of such action and a copy of the complaint upon the department. Failure to so serve a notice does not adversely affect any person's cause of action. 2. A worker need not file a complaint with the department pursuant to subdivision b of section 20-1507 before bringing a civil action; however, no person shall file a civil action based on the same facts as a complaint filed with the department pursuant to subdivision b of section 20-1507 unless such complaint has been withdrawn or dismissed without prejudice to further action. 3. No person shall file a complaint with the department pursuant to subdivision b of section 20-1507 based on the same facts as a civil action filed pursuant to this section unless such action has been withdrawn or dismissed without prejudice to further action. 4. The commencement or pendency of a civil action by a worker does not preclude the department from investigating a delivery service or commencing, prosecuting or settling a case against a delivery service based on some or all of the same violations. (L.L. 2021/114, 10/24/2021, eff. 4/22/2022; Am. L.L. 2025/123, 9/10/2025, eff. 9/10/2025) Editor's note: For related unconsolidated provisions, see Appendix A at L.L. 2025/123 and L.L. 2026/034.

NYC Admin. Code § 20-1512 Civil action by corporation counsel for pattern or practice of violations.

§ 20-1512 Civil action by corporation counsel for pattern or practice of violations. a. 1. Where reasonable cause exists to believe that a delivery service is engaged in a pattern or practice of violations of this chapter, the corporation counsel may commence a civil action on behalf of the city in a court of competent jurisdiction. 2. The corporation counsel shall commence such action by filing a complaint setting forth facts relating to such pattern or practice and requesting relief, which may include injunctive relief, relief for contracted delivery workers set forth in section 20-1508, civil penalties set forth in section 20-1509, and any other appropriate relief. 3. Such action may be commenced only by the corporation counsel or such other persons designated by the corporation counsel. 4. Nothing in this section prohibits (i) the department from exercising its authority under sections 20-1507 through 20-1509 or (ii) a person alleging a violation of this chapter from filing a complaint pursuant to section 20-1507 or a civil action pursuant to section 20-1511 based on the same facts pertaining to such a pattern or practice, provided that a civil action pursuant to this section shall not have previously been commenced. b. Investigation. The corporation counsel may initiate any investigation to ascertain such facts as may be necessary for the commencement of a civil action pursuant to subdivision a of this section, and in connection therewith shall have the power to issue subpoenas to compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of documents, to administer oaths and to examine such persons as are deemed necessary. (L.L. 2021/114, 10/24/2021, eff. 4/22/2022; Am. L.L. 2025/123, 9/10/2025, eff. 9/10/2025) Editor's note: For related unconsolidated provisions, see Appendix A at L.L. 2025/123.

Source: City of New York, Charter, Administrative Code and Rules (American Legal Publishing XML export, codelibrary.amlegal.com)URL: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/newyorkcity/latest/NYCadmin/0-0-0-237243Fetched: 10/24/2026