Print

DCWP Touts Nation-Leading Hotel Consumer and Worker Protections, Reaffirms Safety and Transparency Standards for City Hotels

March 26, 2026

Commissioner Levine Highlights Laws Protecting Consumers and Workers as New York Prepares for Another Strong Year of Tourism

NEW YORK, NY – Today the New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) spotlighted the suite of laws it enforces to protect consumers and workers across city hotels, as New York looks ahead to another busy year for tourism and hospitality. In a new op-ed in The Nation, DCWP Commissioner Sam Levine joined Hotel and Gaming Trades Council (HTC) President Rich Maroko to remind hotel operators of the City laws and rules that guarantee critical protections for hotel workers and consumers. DCWP also issued compliance warnings this week to more than 760 licensed hotels citywide, notifying them of their obligations. With tens of millions of visitors to NYC each year, DCWP is committed to strong enforcement of these standards to ensure that the industry’s continued recovery from COVID-19 benefits working people and businesses across the city.

"New York City's economy is only as strong as the workers who power it," said Deputy Mayor for Economic Justice Julie Su. "These landmark protections ensure that the booming hospitality industry lifts up everyone—from the housekeepers and front desk staff to the visitors they welcome. By eliminating junk fees, cracking down on unsafe working conditions, and holding corporations who cheat accountable, we are building a hotel industry that is a model of fairness and transparency for cities across the nation."

“New York City is the most visited city in the United States – and it’s all made possible by the workers behind every memorable stay. This summer, as millions flock to the Big Apple to enjoy the World Cup, they will find a city that is not just world-class in its hospitality, but in the way we treat our workers,” said DCWP Commissioner Sam Levine. “DCWP is proud to enforce the strongest hotel worker and consumer protection laws in the nation. These standards level the playing field, rewarding responsible operators, tackling junk fees, and issuing red flags to business that cut corners on safety. When everyone plays by the same rules, our city wins.”

“Our members take immense pride in being on the frontlines of New York’s tourism industry, and we owe it to them to ensure they have the rights, protections, and dignity they deserve,” said HTC President Rich Maroko. “After 14 years, our industry-wide contract expires on July 1, and as we prepare for negotiations, we’re proud to continue working closely with City Hall to not only uphold but strengthen the standards that make this industry work. With the World Cup on the horizon, these hard-fought protections are more important than ever, and will ensure that our communities, hospitality workers, and visitors alike experience the very best of what New York has to offer.”

Rights and Responsibilities: Laws in Place Across City Hotels

New York City puts working people at the forefront of its policies—and the hotel industry is no exception. From banning junk fees that drive up the cost of hotel stays, to clamping down on illegal subcontracting and a hotel management culture that once ran rife with retaliation, the City has set nationwide standards for fairness, safety and transparency in the hospitality sector.

Workers and employers can visit nyc.gov/workers or call 311 for more information to file a complaint. Complaints may be filed anonymously, and retaliation is illegal.

NYC Hotel Licensing Law: A landmark victory for hotel workers, the NYC Hotel Licensing Law, also known as the "Safe Hotels Act," requires hotels to obtain and display a license to operate in New York City. In addition to codifying safety and cleanliness standards, the law banned illegal subcontracting and establishes baseline protections for hotel workers. Under this law, workers and consumers can report a hotel to DCWP for:

  • Not having a license;
  • Not displaying their license and complaint sign;
  • Not having a 24-hour front desk attendant;
  • Not having a security guard;
  • Unclean rooms;
  • Allowing bookings for less than four hours;
  • Not providing panic buttons to employees;
  • Not directly employing core employees;
  • Not providing human trafficking prevention training to staff; and
  • Retaliating against an employee

Hotel Service Disruption Act: Hotels in New York City are also required to comply with the Hotel Service Disruption Act, which requires that consumers be notified of changes to service during their stay. Under this law, hotels must inform guests within 24 hours of becoming aware of significant service disruptions, such as worker strikes, construction noise, pest infestations, or 48-hour amenity closures. The law mandates that consumers be permitted to cancel without penalty if notified of such a service disruption after booking. This law greatly enhances consumer confidence, business transparency and workers’ rights.

Hotel Junk Fees Rule: In 2025, DCWP received hundreds of complaints from consumers related to hidden hotel fees or unexpected credit card holds. Following Mayor Mamdani’s executive order directing DCWP to lead a citywide crackdown on junk fees, DCWP finalized a final rule banning hotels from charging consumers hidden junk fees—often disguised as “destination fees,” “resort fees” or “hospitality service fees”—as well as unexpected credit card holds or deposits, which cheat consumers and undercut honest small businesses. The junk fee ban, which took effect on February 22, 2026, will protect both consumers coming to New York City and New Yorkers traveling elsewhere around the country. The credit card hold disclosure requirements go into effect in February of 2027.


The NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) is the nation’s leading municipal enforcement agency charged with delivering economic justice. DCWP leverages its authority to bring New Yorkers real economic relief and protect them from predatory, deceptive, and unfair practices that violate their rights as consumers and workers. This includes pioneering cutting-edge protections, such as the City’s Consumer Protection Law, Protected Time Off Law, Fair Workweek Law, and Delivery Worker Laws, including the Minimum Pay Rate for delivery workers. Through licensing more than 45,000 businesses in over 45 industries, DCWP ensures fair competition and a level playing field for responsible small businesses that are integral to New York City’s vibrant communities. DCWP also provides essential services such as free tax preparation and financial counseling to ensure New Yorkers keep more of what they earn and can plan for their futures. DCWP is committed to making sure New York City is a fairer, more affordable place to live. For more information about DCWP and its work, call 311 or visit DCWP at nyc.gov/dcwp, sign up for its newsletter, or follow on its social media sites, X, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.


Media Contact: 
Milo Fink Gringlas
Department of Consumer and Worker Protection 
(646) 772-0331
press@dcwp.nyc.gov