Rochester, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 90 § 90-41
Denial of business permit (Rochester NY Property Code)
Operative Text
A. The Commissioner may deny a business permit or deny the renewal of a business permit to any applicant who does not comply with the provisions of this chapter or any rule or regulation promulgated under this chapter, or who makes a material misrepresentation on the business permit application, or who is serving a period of suspension or revocation. The Commissioner shall give a written notification to an applicant of the reasons for the denial of a business permit and provide the applicant with an opportunity to respond in writing. B. When the investigation conducted pursuant to § 90-34 reveals that the applicant has violated either federal, state or local laws or rules and regulations, the Commissioner may authorize the issuance of a conditional business permit. The conditional business permit shall state the grounds for the conditional business permit, the conditions under which the applicant shall operate his or her business, be signed by the applicant, and contain a provision which provides that any violation of the conditional business permit, as solely determined by the City of Rochester, shall be deemed to be grounds for revoking the conditional business permit.
Rochester City Code § 90-41 establishes the grounds on which the Commissioner may refuse to issue or renew a business permit. Denial can occur when an applicant fails to meet the chapter's requirements, submits a materially false application, or is already under a suspension or revocation. When prior legal violations are uncovered during the background investigation, the Commissioner has the option to issue a conditional permit instead of an outright denial, subject to specific operating conditions that the applicant must sign and follow.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers seeking a rental business permit in Rochester should be aware that § 90-41 gives the Commissioner broad authority to deny or condition permit issuance. Compliant operators generally ensure their applications are accurate and complete, maintain a clean compliance record under Chapter 90, and promptly address any outstanding violations before applying or renewing. If a conditional permit is issued, operators are expected to adhere strictly to every stated condition, since any breach—as determined solely by the City—can serve as grounds for revocation.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section § 90-41 of Rochester's City Code provides a mechanism that can affect whether a landlord is legally permitted to operate a rental business in the city. Tenants who believe their landlord has made false statements on a permit application or is operating in violation of Chapter 90 may bring that information to the attention of the relevant city office. Tenant-rights organizations in Rochester can help residents understand how permit status may relate to their housing situation and what avenues exist for raising concerns.
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.
Effective Timeline
References In
Rules and statutes that cite this regulation