Report a violation of sidewalk or parking lane use

Some businesses have a Shared Spaces temporary permit to use the sidewalk or parking lane for business operations, like seating, dining, or retail pickup. 

These temporary permits can be revoked if businesses don’t follow the permit rules. If you think a business may be violating the rules, you can report them.

Businesses must:

• Display a copy of the permit outside during business hours
• Follow physical distancing protocols
• 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

Review the full list of responsibilities that businesses must follow to use sidewalk or curb space for their activities.

If you see a violation to any of these rules, you can 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.

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.