§ 20-1501 Definitions.
AC § 20-1501
Editor's note: this section has been amended by L.L. 2026/034, 1/17/2026, eff. 1/17/2027. As used in this chapter, the following terms have the following meanings: Compliant delivery device. The term “compliant delivery device” means a delivery device that is in compliance with applicable law, rules and regulations, including a powered mobility device that meets the standards for distribution, sale, lease or rental pursuant to section 20-610. Contracted delivery worker. The term “contracted delivery worker” means any natural person or any organization composed of no more than 1 natural person, whether or not incorporated or employing a trade name, who is retained by a delivery service to deliver goods in exchange for compensation, including, but not limited to, a food delivery worker, provided that the term “contracted delivery worker” does not include any natural person or any organization composed of no more than 1 natural person, whether or not incorporated or employing a trade name, who delivers goods solely using a vehicle required by federal or state law, rule or regulation to be registered with the federal motor carrier safety administration. Customer. The term “customer” means a person that places an order for, accepts or receives goods delivered by, through or with the assistance of a delivery service. Deactivation. The term “deactivation” means any indefinite or permanent discharge, termination or layoff of a contracted delivery worker or any revocation or restriction of a contracted delivery worker’s access to the delivery platform or authorization to accept deliveries on the delivery platform. Delivery service. The term “delivery service” means a person that facilitates, offers, or arranges for the delivery of goods to or from a location in the city, including, but not limited to, a third-party food delivery service and a third-party courier service, provided that the term “delivery service” does not include any such person that facilitates, offers or arranges fewer than 50 trips each week, or any person that facilitates, offers or arranges for the delivery of goods solely by vehicles required by federal or state law, rule or regulation to be registered with the federal motor carrier safety administration. Eligible device. The term “eligible device” means a powered mobility device or lithium-ion battery that does not meet the requirements for sale contained in section 20-610, a motorized scooter as defined in subdivision a section 19-176.2, or a limited use motorcycle as defined in section 121-b of the vehicle and traffic law. Food delivery worker. The term “food delivery worker” means any natural person or any organization composed of no more than 1 natural person, whether or not incorporated or employing a trade name, who is retained by a third-party food delivery service required to be licensed pursuant to section 20-563.1 or a third-party courier service to deliver goods from a business to a customer in exchange for compensation. Food service establishment. The term “food service establishment” means a business establishment located within the city where food is provided for individual portion service directly to the consumer whether such food is provided free of charge or sold, and whether consumption occurs on or off the premises or is provided from a pushcart, stand or vehicle. Goods. The term “goods” means 1 or more items, parcels, packages, products, or articles of any type, including but not limited to food, beverages, groceries, or papers. Gratuity. The term “gratuity” means a sum of money (i) paid voluntarily by a customer for an order of goods placed or delivered by, through or with the assistance of a delivery service, (ii) that is in addition to the purchase price of the goods and any mandatory charges such as taxes and fees, (iii) the amount of which the customer may choose, and (iv) that is referred to by a delivery service as a gratuity, tip or other similar term that would suggest to a reasonable person that the sum, or a substantial portion thereof, would be received by a contracted delivery worker in addition to any compensation from the delivery service. Grocery delivery worker. The term “grocery delivery worker” means any natural person or any organization composed of no more than 1 natural person, whether or not incorporated or employing a trade name, who is retained by a third-party grocery delivery service to deliver goods from a business to a customer in exchange for compensation. Pay period. The term “pay period” means a fixed and regularly recurring period of 168 hours or 7 consecutive 24-hour periods. Powered mobility device. The term “powered mobility device” means a powered bicycle or a powered mobility device, as such terms are defined in subchapter 2 of chapter 4 of title 20. Retail food establishment. The term “retail food establishment” means any business establishment located in the city that is licensed as a food processing establishment pursuant to article 20-C of the agriculture and markets law or as a retail food store or food warehouse pursuant to article 28 of the agriculture and markets law. Retained. The term “retained” means hired, or retained or engaged, as an independent contractor. Third-party courier service. The term “third-party courier service” means a service that (i) facilitates the same-day delivery or same-day pickup of food, beverages, or other goods from a food service establishment on behalf of such food service establishment or a third-party food delivery service; and (ii) that is owned and operated by a person other than the person who owns such food service establishment. Third-party food delivery service. The term “third-party food delivery service” means any website, mobile application, or other internet service that: (i) offers or arranges for the sale of food and beverages prepared by, and the same-day delivery or same-day pickup of food and beverages from, a food service establishment; and (ii) that is owned and operated by a person other than the person who owns such food service establishment. Third-party grocery delivery service. The term “third-party grocery delivery service” means any website, mobile application, or other internet service that: (i) facilitates, offers or arranges for the delivery of goods from a retail food establishment; and (ii) is owned or operated by a person other than the person who owns such retail food establishment. Toilet facility. The term “toilet facility” means a room or space on the premises of a food service establishment or other business that: (i) contains a toilet or urinal and sink or similar washing facility; and (ii) is a dedicated facility for its patrons, or that is a dedicated facility for its employees to the extent such establishment or business does not have a dedicated facility for its patrons. Trip. The term “trip” means the time spent, distance travelled, and route followed by a contracted delivery worker to deliver goods, including, but not limited to, travel to 1 or more pick-up locations; selecting, preparing, assembling, waiting for, and picking up the goods for delivery; and travel to and unloading and depositing such goods at 1 or more drop-off locations, including any time spent waiting for goods to be retrieved by a customer or other person, provided that the term “trip” shall not include any time spent, distance travelled or route followed for the delivery of goods using a vehicle that is required by federal or state law, rule or regulation to be registered with the federal motor carrier safety administration. (L.L. 2021/114, 10/24/2021, eff. 4/22/2022; Am. L.L. 2023/017, 2/1/2023, eff. 2/1/2023; Am. L.L. 2025/095, 7/30/2025, eff. 1/26/2026; Am. L.L. 2025/123, 9/10/2025, eff. 9/10/2025; Am. L.L. 2025/124, 9/10/2025, eff. 1/26/2026) Editor's note: For related unconsolidated provisions, see Appendix A at L.L. 2025/123, L.L. 2025/124 and L.L. 2026/034.
