Rochester, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 90 § 90-33
Business permit required (Rochester NY Property Code)
Operative Text
No person shall operate or maintain a business within the City without first obtaining a business permit authorizing the operation of said business by said operator at the specific business location. The authority for business permits issued pursuant to this chapter shall be the Commissioner. Businesses that have been issued a license(s) by the Chief of Police are exempt from the business permit requirement.
Rochester City Code § 90-33 establishes that operating or maintaining a business within Rochester requires a valid business permit tied to a specific location before operations begin. The Commissioner holds the authority to issue these permits under this chapter. Businesses that already hold a license issued by the Chief of Police are carved out from this requirement entirely.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 90-33, property owners and managers who operate any business activity on their premises in Rochester are generally expected to secure a location-specific business permit from the Commissioner before commencing operations. Compliant operators typically verify whether their business holds a Chief of Police license, which would exempt them from this permit requirement. Maintaining current documentation of whichever authorization applies to a given business location is a common practice among operators subject to this chapter.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 90-33 of Rochester's Code of Ordinances requires that landlords and property managers operating rental businesses within the city hold a valid, location-specific business permit issued by the Commissioner, unless they are exempt through a Chief of Police license. Tenants who believe their landlord is operating without the required authorization may consider contacting the relevant Rochester city office to inquire about permit status. Tenant-rights organizations in the Rochester area can help residents understand how this requirement may relate to their housing situation.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated November 7, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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