New York Businesses Urged To Rethink Residential Flyer Distribution

Most everyone knows that leaving anything other than official mail in someone's mailbox is a big no-no in New York, but what about leaving an advertisement hanging on someone's door or laying in their driveway?

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While there are no laws about leaving flyers tucked into doors, hanging from door knobs, or at the end of a driveway, it's not the best look for a business to do so.

In some places, placing flyers in driveways without prior consent from the property owners is considered littering and may be subject to legal repercussions. Laws vary by location, but businesses should know the potential legal implications of distributing flyers without prior permission.

Also, remember that distributing flyers by leaving them in a person's driveway might require entering private property without permission. This can raise concerns about trespassing and leave a bad taste in the mouth of the property owner.

Unsolicited flyers left in driveways can be seen as intrusive by the property owner and can create a negative perception of the business. Additionally, if the homeowner is away for any time, leaving flyers in their driveway or by their door is a great way to signal to thieves that nobody is home and the property is ripe for robbing.

Another thing to consider is that if your business places flyers on a person's property and they are not properly secured or weighed down, they can easily be blown away by wind and end up littering the surrounding area, including streets and sidewalks.

If your business has been considering peppering nearby communities with flyers, consider not only the possible legal complications but how doing so could cause negative brand perception for your business.