On Aug. 13, the New York City Council approved a new package of legislation to lower costs and strengthen neighborhood quality of life.
The package will make outdoor dining available year-round, create an Office of Insurance Affordability and set new standards for neighborhood cleanliness.
According to New York City Council, 1,649 restaurants in the city currently hold fully issued outdoor dining licenses. Now those businesses can host customers outside all year-round.
A former restaurant owner herself, Speaker Julie Menin said the goal of the legislative package aims to “Support thousands of neighborhood restaurants, and create the nation’s first Office of Insurance Affordability to help bring greater transparency and lower insurance costs for businesses and consumers.”
Creating the nation's first Office of Insurance Affordability will help consumers navigate rising insurance costs. Business liability insurance has increased by 10 % annually, which has forced nightlife businesses to change their operations and, in many cases, shut down.
"Homeowners insurance is supposed to protect your home, not price you out of it," said Council Member Frank Morano who sponsored the resolution.
The package's priority for neighborhood cleanliness comes after complaints to 311 have risen significantly. Nearly 3,000 complaints in 2026 already mark a 10 % increase from total complaints during 2025 in just the first eight months of the year.
Council Members came together with dog enthusiasts and advocates in support of legislation which would expand access to dog waste bags, launch a new pilot program to compost dog waste and strengthen enforcement in certain areas.
Resolution sponsor and Council Member Harvey Epstein said the resolution is about "Keeping our sidewalks clean, our waterways safe and our public spaces accessible to everyone."
Other components of the package include making the Certification of No Harassment Program permanent, declaring Aug. 2 as Annual James Baldwin Day and approving land use projects across the city.
More details regarding the new legislation can be found on the New York City Council Website.
