The city over the last four years has more than quadrupled the amount in fines issued to newsstand owners, according to data obtained by The Post.
Records show that Consumer Affairs inspectors handed out 105 summonses to newsstand owners in the 2013 fiscal year, which ended on June 30. In 2009, only 50 summonses were issued.
While the number of tickets basically doubled, the fines associated with them went through the roof, from $17,000 in 2009 to $71,950 last year.
Rob Bookman, an attorney who represents the vanishing breed of newsstand owners, said some were cited for not posting signs explaining their refund policies.
“When was the last time anybody had a refund issue with a sidewalk newsstand?” asked Bookman.
There are only 300 newsstands left in the city, down from 1,500 in the 1950s, and by law they can’t sell any single product costing more than $10.
“This is your iconic mom-and-pop sidewalk newsstands that don’t bother anybody and for over a third of them to have gotten violations in a year is upsetting,” Bookman said.
The Consumer Affairs agency did not respond to a request for comment.