Companies that do not provide a simple way to cancel could pay $525 per user subscription, back fees and additional fines.
New York would be the first US city to implement such a ban.
Bans on junk fees and subscription traps are generally popular with consumers, but have been fought aggressively by industry groups.
Companies make billions a year in automatic subscription renewals that consumers do not want or do not know they have.
The subscription rule could save New Yorkers alone as much as $162.5m per year, the Roosevelt Institute thinktank estimates.
While the subscription rule would only apply to New York City residents, the proposed junk fee rule affects companies such as hotels and rental car agencies that cater to visitors.
The city will take public comments on the junk fee rule and then hold a hearing, Levine said. »