On September 12, 2017 the Department of State (the “Department”) filed a Notice of Adoption to establish cease and desist zones for parts of Bronx and Queens Counties. The regulations relating to these zones will go into effect on October 1, 2017 and will expire on October 1, 2022.
After several public hearings and obtaining information from homeowners within the designated zones, the Department concluded that regulations were necessary to protect individuals unwanted, intense and repeated solicitations.
While the zones are in effect, it will be unlawful for any licensed real estate broker or salesperson, or any other person regularly engaged in the business of buying and selling property to solicit a homeowner within the zone that has filed a notice with the Department requesting not to receive such solicitations. A list of homeowners that have filed such statements will be available on the Department’s website for free, or available for purchase for $10.00. The Department expects the first list to be available beginning December 1, 2017.
Sending solicitations to a homeowner that has registered with the Department can result in monetary fines, suspension or revocation of licensure. If necessary, enforcement proceedings will commence after January 1, 2018.
The zones include the following parts of Bronx and Queens Counties:
Bronx County:
All the land west of the Eastchester Bay south of Griswold Avenue to Bruckner Expressway; thence southerly along the Bruckner Expressway/Throgs Neck Expressway to Layton Avenue; then easterly to the Eastchester Bay.
Queens County:
The sections of the area of land in the County of Queens, City of New York, within the neighborhood commonly referred to as College Point, and more specifically bounded by and described as follows:
Beginning at the intersection of interstate 678 and the East River; thence southerly along interstate 678 to the intersection of interstate 678 and 14th Avenue; thence westerly along 14th Avenue to College Point Boulevard; thence southerly along College Point Boulevard to 28th Avenue; thence westerly to Flushing Bay; thence northeasterly along Flushing Bay and the East River to the point of the beginning.
The sections of the area of land in the County of Queens, City of New York, within the neighborhoods commonly referred to as: Bay Side, Bay Terrace and Murray Hill, and more specifically bounded by and described as follows:
Beginning at the intersection of the Cross Island Parkway and 149th Street; thence southerly along 149th Street to 46th Avenue; thence easterly along 46th Avenue and continuing along Hollis Court Boulevard to interstate 495; thence easterly along interstate 495 to the Cross Island Parkway; thence northerly along the Cross Island Parkway to the point of the beginning.
If you have any questions regarding the cease and desist zones for Bronx or Queens Counties, you may email questions to the Department at: licensing@dos.ny.gov, or contact 518-474-4429. Call Center Representatives are available from 8:30am to 4:30pm Monday through Friday except on Legal Holidays.
