General Election
New York CityProposal 1
Public-space permits
Changes the review process for permission to use public space, including ramps, benches and outdoor cafes.
The official question
Official sourceSpeed Up Process for Granting a Revocable Consent to Use Public Space
Simplify process to use public space for uses such as ramps, planters and cafes, by removing mandatory hearings and Council disapproval of sidewalk cafes, while maintaining community and Council input.
Official YES and NO descriptions
“Yes” speeds up process to use public space while maintaining community input.
“No” maintains longer process with mandatory public hearing to use public space and Council review of sidewalk cafes.
What your vote means
Make hearings optional for public-space consents, change notice rules and remove the Council’s sidewalk-cafe veto. Local notice and comment opportunities remain.
Keep the existing required hearings, newspaper notices and Council review of sidewalk-cafe consents.
Before you decide
Your ballot · Proposal 1
Fill in one oval. Tap it again to return to undecided.
Undecided
Inside this proposal
See every changeHearings and public notice
Make consent hearings discretionary; remove newspaper notices and shorten City Record notice for hearings to six days, excluding Sundays and legal holidays.
Sidewalk-cafe review
Use the general consent process and remove that Council disapproval power.
Approvals and registration
Allow delegation of mayoral powers to an agency head and allow agreements to start pending registration with Comptroller consent.
Who’s weighing in
All statements
Transportation Alternatives
July 23, 2026
“We're particularly excited about ballot proposals one and three, to speed up outdoor dining permitting and fast-track the installation of street infrastructure that will both save lives and save commuters a great deal of time.”
— Ben Furnas, Executive Director of Transportation Alternatives
Reinvent Albany
July 22, 2026
“Strongly Support”
— Reinvent Albany, written statement