It happened at an apartment building on West 47th Street at about 7:40 p.m. Thursday.
Police say a building official called police to complain that Bynes was smoking marijuana and rolling a joint in the building's lobby.
The officers went to Bynes' apartment where they saw heavy smoke and a bong, which Bynes then threw out the window in front of the officers.
Bynes was arrested on charges of reckless endangerment, tampering with evidence, and criminal possession of marijuana. It wasn't clear if she had a lawyer.
Bynes rose to fame starring in Nickelodeon's "All That" and has also starred in several films, including 2010's "Easy A."
