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Current as of January 01, 2026 | Updated by Findlaw Staff
(a) No person shall throw, dump, deposit or place, or cause to be thrown, dumped, deposited or placed upon any highway, or within the limits of the right of way of such highway, or upon private lands adjacent thereto, any refuse, trash, garbage, rubbish, litter or any nauseous or offensive matter.
(b) Nothing herein contained shall be construed as prohibiting the use in a reasonable manner of ashes, sand, salt or other material for the purpose of reducing the hazard of, or providing traction on snow, ice or sleet.
(b-1) Nothing herein contained shall be construed as prohibiting the use of any highway or private lands adjacent thereto for the transport or transit of agricultural trucks, machines or implements or dairy or domestic animals or agricultural stock with any accompanying reasonable or unavoidable deposit of nauseous or offensive matter.
(c) A violation of the provisions of subdivision (a) of this section shall be punishable by a fine not to exceed three hundred fifty dollars and/or a requirement to perform services for a public or not-for-profit corporation, association, institution or agency not to exceed ten hours and for any second or subsequent violation by a fine not to exceed seven hundred dollars and/or a requirement to perform services for a public or not-for-profit corporation, association, institution or agency not to exceed fifteen hours.
Cite this article: FindLaw.com - New York Consolidated Laws, Vehicle and Traffic Law - VAT § 1220. Throwing refuse on highways and adjacent lands prohibited - last updated January 01, 2026 | https://codes.findlaw.com/ny/vehicle-and-traffic-law/vat-sect-1220/
FindLaw Codes may not reflect the most recent version of the law in your jurisdiction. Please verify the status of the code you are researching with the state legislature before relying on it for your legal needs.
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