Rochester, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 90 § 90-36
Issuance of business permit (Rochester NY Property Code)
Operative Text
A. All new applications for a business permit as of the effective date of this article shall be issued or denied within 30 days after an inspection has found the premises to be code compliant, or within 30 days after receipt of a fully completed application if no inspection needs to be conducted. B. No business permit shall be issued unless the applicant and business have fully complied with the provisions of this article and have obtained all necessary licenses and permits for the operation. No business permit shall be issued to a premises while charges are pending pursuant to § 10-12 of the City Charter, or while any other nuisance abatement proceeding or action is pending against the premises. C. No business permit shall be issued unless the business premises is in compliance with the Municipal Code. D. No business permit shall be issued to any business or applicant against whom judgment has been rendered by the Municipal Code Violation Bureau relating to the business or business premises, which judgment has not been satisfied. E. No business permit shall be issued for a period of one year after the applicant has been found guilty of operating a business without a business permit.
Rochester City Code § 90-36 establishes the conditions under which a business permit may be issued or withheld. The city must act on a completed application within 30 days of a compliant inspection or within 30 days of receiving a fully completed application when no inspection is needed. A permit cannot be issued if the applicant or premises has unsatisfied code-violation judgments, pending nuisance abatement proceedings or Charter § 10-12 charges, or if the applicant was previously found operating without a permit within the past year.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers who rent space to businesses, or who themselves operate businesses subject to § 90-36, generally ensure that the premises fully complies with the Municipal Code before submitting an application. Compliant operators resolve any outstanding judgments from the Municipal Code Violation Bureau and confirm that no nuisance abatement proceedings are pending against the property prior to applying. Keeping all required licenses current and addressing any code deficiencies before the inspection stage helps avoid denial or delays under this section.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants operating a business in Rochester should be aware that § 90-36 ties permit issuance directly to the condition of the premises and the applicant's compliance history, meaning issues with the property itself—not just the business—can affect permit eligibility. If a permit is denied because of conditions the property owner controls, tenants may want to review their lease terms regarding the landlord's obligation to maintain a code-compliant premises. Tenant-rights organizations and local small-business advocacy groups can help clarify what options may be available when a denial stems from circumstances outside the tenant's control.
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
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