Rochester, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 90 § 90-38
Fees (Rochester NY Property Code)
Operative Text
A. The annual fee for a business permit shall be $25; the fee for the replacement of a lost permit shall be $10. The annual fee for renewal applications which are submitted within 30 days after the mailing of a renewal notice by the City shall be waived. The fee for a conditional business permit as set forth in § 90-41B shall be $300. The fee for a business permit shall be waived for any business that possesses either a current public or limited entertainment center license, a secondhand dealer license, an amusement center license, or a pawnbroker license, but there shall be no waiver of fees for a conditional business permit. B. Payment of the fee shall be due at the time the application is submitted by the applicant. All fees shall be nonrefundable.
Rochester City Code § 90-38 establishes the fee structure for business permits issued under Chapter 90. A standard annual business permit costs $25, while a conditional business permit carries a higher fee of $300; certain license holders—such as those with entertainment center, secondhand dealer, amusement center, or pawnbroker licenses—are exempt from the standard permit fee but not from the conditional permit fee. Renewal fees are waived when applications are submitted within 30 days of the City's mailing of a renewal notice, and all fees paid are nonrefundable once submitted.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating businesses subject to Rochester's Chapter 90 permitting requirements should be aware that § 90-38 sets the standard annual permit fee at $25, due at the time of application submission. Operators who already hold qualifying licenses—such as a secondhand dealer or pawnbroker license—generally confirm their eligibility for a fee waiver on the standard permit, though no such waiver applies to conditional business permits. Compliant operators typically track renewal notice mailings from the City to ensure timely submission within the 30-day window that triggers the renewal fee waiver.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants who live in or near businesses subject to Rochester's Chapter 90 permitting rules may find it useful to understand that § 90-38 governs what fees those businesses pay to obtain and renew their permits. This fee structure is part of the City's broader oversight mechanism for regulated businesses, and awareness of whether a landlord or business operator holds a valid permit can be relevant when evaluating a property's compliance status. Tenants with questions about permit compliance in their building or neighborhood can contact the City of Rochester directly or reach out to a local tenant-rights organization for general guidance.
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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