From 1 June 2025, Council officers will be able to fine people found urinating in public, or not controlling or picking up after their dogs.
Discretionary powers to act against these offences committed anywhere in York have been awarded by the Council who, this week on Tuesday 22 April, agreed a new, city-wide Public Space Protection Order (PSPO).
This decision follows a public consultation from December to February. During it, over 90% of the 1,026 people who took part, agreed with the proposals.
Evidence from North Yorkshire Police, BID Street Rangers and members of the public can be used to support the issue of fines for people behaving anti-socially and creating health hazards.
Once the evidence has been provided, the fines will be mailed to offenders as fixed penalty notices. By introducing these PSPO fines, the number of slow, costly and work-intensive prosecutions will be reduced.
For a breach of the PSPO by urinating or defecating in public, for not controlling a dog or not picking up after it, fines of £100 will be issued. This level of fine reflects the health hazards and administrative costs these offences incur, and enables us to resolve offences more quickly. It also represents a £25 increase to fines for dog fouling, mirroring increases to fines for littering.
The fines will contribute to a safer, better-managed and vibrant night-time economy, and are expected to help tackle alcohol-related anti-social behaviour in the city centre, supporting the city’s Purple Flag status.
Exemptions to these fines will be made for people who are registered blind or partially-sighted, and for people in charge of a registered assistance dog.
Cllr Michael Pavlovic, Executive Member for Safer Communities at City of York Council, said:
We want these offences to stop. They create health hazards and an unwelcome environment for people simply going about their daily business. This decision means we have a stronger deterrent, and a more timely and proportionate enforcement approach.
“People should use toilets in the pubs and cafés they’ve visited, and control and pick up after their dogs. For those who we find not doing so, our officers will be able to take immediate action with fines which will reflect the associated risks and costs.
“We will continue to work with partners, including the police and York BID who, like us, can provide supporting evidence. Together, we will take an intelligence-led approach to enforcement, targeting known hot-spot areas at key times.”
Superintendent Ed Haywood-Noble, North Yorkshire Police’s senior operational commander for York and Selby, said:
The Public Spaces Protection Order in York enhances our collective power to take direct action against individuals and groups whose behaviour have a detrimental impact.
“We have a strong partnership with our City of York Council colleagues through the Community Safety Hub, which tackles crime and anti-social behaviour. We will continue to do all we can to improve the safety and quality of life for residents, businesses, and visitors to our magnificent city.”
The full report was discussed at the Council’s Executive meeting on 22 April at 4:30pm.