The Post sniffed out NYC’s smelliest neighborhoods, according to 311 complaints
New York City has always been known for its unique aroma, but 2026 seems to be a particularly pungent year so far. With a staggering 5,332 smell complaints already logged to NYC’s non-emergency 311 hotline, it appears that this year is shaping up to be quite a stinker. And we haven’t even reached the peak summer stink season yet.
During the period from May 1 to July 31 last year, there were 4,093 smell complaints recorded, showing a significant increase from the same period in 2024, which had 3,756 calls. In total, the city received 15,322 odor-related complaints in 2025, covering a range of categories from “sewer odor” to “pigeon odor,” as well as fumes from “nail salons” and “food vendors.”
The top five olfactory offenders were vehicle idling, chemical/gases and vapors, sewage odor, chemical odor, and sewer odor. According to a spokesperson from the New York City Department of Environmental Protection, chemical gases, vapors, and odors generally refer to smells resembling familiar chemicals like cleaners, gasoline, tar, or paint products.
In 2025, the city DEP itself received over 11,200 odor complaints, compared to more than 10,600 in 2024. Online retailer Prilla named New York City the third-smelliest US city in 2025, with Houston and Los Angeles taking the top spots. However, NYC had far more sewage complaints than the winner, according to Secret NYC.
Neighborhoods like Grimes Square and Smell’s Kitchen, Greenpoint, Brighton Beach, and Bayside were among the worst-smelling areas in 2025. Issues ranged from fumes from vehicle idling to chemical odors and animal smells.
Efforts have been made to address the city’s smell problem, including programs like the Citizen Idling Complaint Program and the expansion of the “containerization” program for garbage disposal. Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s plans to bring garbage bins to more residences aim to reduce the city’s stench and improve overall air quality.
Despite the challenges, New Yorkers have already seen improvements in odor control thanks to these initiatives. The city is working towards creating a more pleasant environment for residents and visitors alike, one whiff at a time.
