The Department of Sanitation’s new trash setout times will go into effect today to combat the city's rat problem.

Starting tonight, residential buildings can place trash out in a secure container any time after 6 p.m. They have to wait until 8 p.m. if the bags are put directly on the curb.

Businesses can also put trash out in bags any time after 8 p.m. However, if they put trash in a secure container, they can put it out one hour before closing.  

City officials say the new rules for residential buildings and businesses will decrease the amount of time that trash is on the curb and help with the city’s rat problem.

The Department of Sanitation says the previous set-out time of 4 p.m. meant that garbage could sit outside for more than 14 hours. They say these rules, along with earlier pick up times, will have trash on the curb for a fraction of the time.  

“Piles of black trash bags have been robbing us of clean and usable public space for more than 50 years. Seeing the bags for a few hours a day, instead of more than half the day will make a huge, huge difference in our streetscape - and it will cut off the all-you-can-eat rat buffet and send rats packing,” says Sanitation Commissioner Jessica Tisch.

New Yorkers will get a one-month grace period to get used to this change.  

If you violate these rules, you will receive a written warning up until May 1.  The city says the warnings will be tracked and those who receive the warnings will be the first to be inspected again in May.