General Election
New York CityProposal 1
Public-space permits
Changes how the City approves ramps, benches, cafés and other private uses of sidewalks and streets: public hearings become optional, and the City Council can no longer reject sidewalk cafés.
The official question
Official sourceSpeed Up Process for Granting a 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
Hearings become optional, newspaper notices end, and sidewalk cafés follow the general process with no Council vote. Local officials still get notice and time to comment.
Keep required hearings and newspaper notices, and keep community board review and the Council’s power to disapprove sidewalk cafés.
Who decides
Where a decision moves if this passes.
Whether a restaurant can put a café on the sidewalk
Today
The Transportation Department grants it after a community board review, and the City Council can vote to disapprove it.
After a Yes
The Transportation Department decides after giving the community board, Council member and borough president notice and 15 days to comment. The Council has no vote.
Whether a public hearing is held before a consent is granted
Today
The Charter requires a hearing for every consent.
After a Yes
The granting agency decides case by case, considering location, size, length of the consent, its use and whether a hearing would help address concerns.
Who exercises the Mayor’s approval powers over consents
Today
The Mayor.
After a Yes
The Mayor, or the head of the granting agency if the Mayor delegates those powers.
Whether a consent can begin before the Comptroller registers it
Today
Consent agreements follow the Comptroller’s rules, with no early-start option in this section.
After a Yes
The Comptroller can agree to let a consent start while registration is pending.
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
The agency decides whether to hold a hearing, weighing location, size, length and use. Newspaper notices end, and City Record notice of any hearing drops to six days, excluding Sundays and legal holidays.
Sidewalk-cafe review
Sidewalk cafés use the general process: community boards lose their separate review and the Council loses its power to disapprove, though both still get notice and time to comment.
Approvals and registration
The Mayor can delegate that approval to the head of the granting agency, and the Comptroller can let a consent start before registration is finished.
Who’s weighing in
All statements
Abundance New York
October 16, 2026
“If you are a fan of New York City’s outdoor dining, this amendment is an easy “yes.””
— Abundance New York
Their position
Recommends Yes. Says the change would save restaurants up to $1,800 and six months on outdoor-dining applications, and speed other street improvements such as ramps.
Common Cause New York
October 15, 2026
“Government efficiency is important, but it should not come at the expense of public participation and legislative oversight. Streamlining administrative processes should not mean removing meaningful opportunities for New Yorkers and their elected representatives to weigh in on decisions affecting public spaces.”
— Common Cause New York