Business, Vendor, and Gaming Licenses

This license is required for any establishment which operates games or machines that take in money for amusement.

Amusement center application

Fee: $325; There is a $10 fee for replacement of a lost license. Make checks payable to the "City of Rochester."

Applicants must apply for a Certificate of Zoning Compliance number in room 121B, prior to submitting application to the Clerk's Office.

Expires on January 31 of each year; Approvals are required by the City's Zoning Office, Police and Fire Departments, and the Neighborhood Service Center. 

Applications may require two to four weeks processing time.

This license is necessary for a business that sells or rents games and machines for amusement purposes.

Amusement Game Application

Amusement game placement form

Fee: $25 per machine. There is a $10 fee for replacement of a lost license. Make checks payable to the "City of Rochester."

Expires January 31 of each year; Approval is required by the Police Department. 
Applications may require two to four weeks processing time.

This license is required for persons or businesses keeping certain legal live animals or fowl.

Animal and Poultry License Application
As of June 15, 2021: Fee: $75 for a two-year license. There is a $10 fee for replacement of a lost license. Make checks payable to the "City of Rochester."

Animal and poultry licenses are good for up to two years.  The license will cover the permit year it is purchased in, or the remaining portion of that year, and will expire at the end of the following permit year. Permit years conclude on June 30.  

Approval is required by the Police Department. 

Applications may require two to four weeks processing time.

This license is required for any company or individual who offers goods for sale to the highest bidder.

Auctioneer Application

Fee: $210; a $1,000 surety bond is also required. There is a $10 fee for replacement of a lost license. Make checks payable to the "City of Rochester."

Expires December 31 of each year; Approval is required by the Police Department. 
Applications may require two to four weeks processing time.

This license is required for a business that offers three or more billiard tables.

Billiard License Application

Fee: $250; $10 is charged to replace a lost license. Make checks payable to the "City of Rochester."

Applicants must apply for a Certificate of Zoning Compliance number in room 121B, prior to submitting application to the Clerk's Office.

Expires January 31 each year; Approval is required by the City Zoning's Office,  Police and Fire Departments. 
Applications may require two to four weeks processing time.

This license is required for a business that offers bowling lanes for entertainment purposes.

Bowling Center Application

Fee: For businesses with one or two alleys, the fee per alley is $10; for businesses with more than two alleys, the fee per alley is $7. There is a $10 fee for replacement of a lost license. 
Make checks payable to the "City of Rochester."

Applicants must apply for a Certificate of Zoning Compliance number in room 121B, prior to submitting application to the Clerk's Office.

Expires December 31 of each year; Approval is required by the City's Zoning Office and the Police Department. 
Applications may require two to four weeks processing time.

This license is required for any business or establishment that offers entertainment to customers, such as nightclubs.

Entertainment Center Application

Occupancy:                                            Fee:

0-49 persons                                        $100* annual

50-99 persons                                      $275* annual

100-249 persons                                  $425* annual

250+ persons                                       $500* annual

*An additional $100 fee will be charged to any establishment with an Entertainment Center License serving hard liquor, and not those serving just beer and wine.

Make checks payable to the "City of Rochester."

Applicants must apply for a Certificate of Zoning Compliance number in room 121B, prior to submitting application to the Clerk's Office.

Expires January 31 of each year; Approval is required by the City's Zoning Office, Police and Fire Departments. 
Applications may require two to four weeks to processing time.

This license is required for any business that will be conducting a going-out-of business sale.

Going Out of Business Application

Fee: $500 for thirty days; $50 for a 30day extension. Make checks payable to the "City of Rochester."

Applicants must submit two copies of the inventory, a copy of the ad in the newspaper, the name of a contact person and the days and hours the sale will take place.

This license is required for persons or businesses conducting the business of a junk dealer, which includes the buying and selling of papers, rags, old metals, glassware, and rope.

Junk Dealer License Application

Fee: $300. There is a $10 fee for replacement of a lost license. Make checks payable to the "City of Rochester."

Expires May 31 of each year; Approval by the Police Department is required. 
Applications may require two to four weeks processing time.

This license is required for any person, firm or corporation who operates a junkyard, including auto wreckers and scrap processors.

Junk Yard Operator Application

Fee: $300. There is a $10 fee for replacement of a lost license. Make checks payable to the "City of Rochester."

Applicants must apply for a Certificate of Zoning Compliance number in room 121B, prior to submitting an application to the Clerk's Office.

Expires May 31 of each year; Approvals are required by the City's Zoning Office, Police, and Fire Departments. 
Applications may require two to four weeks processing time.

This license is required for any person, association, partnership or corporation operating from a fixed location where machinery and equipment are used for processing old rope, copper, tin and lead, wood trim, rubber, rags, bottles, paper, bagging, sacks, parts of machinery, parts of stoves and scrap metal of kinds.

Scrap Processor Application

Fee: $300. There is a $10 fee for replacement of a lost license. Make checks payable to the "City of Rochester."

Applicants must apply for a Certificate of Zoning Compliance number in room 121B, prior to submitting application to the Clerk's Office.

Expires May 31 of each year; Approvals are required by the City's Zoning Office, Police and Fire Departments. 
Applications may require two to four weeks processing time.

This license is required for an establishment that makes loans on pledged property (a collateral loan broker), offering for sale items after the time to redeem the items has expired.

Pawnbroker Application

Fee: $250; a $10,000 surety bond is required. There is a $10 fee for replacement of a lost license. Make checks payable to the "City of Rochester."

Applicants must apply for a Certificate of Zoning Compliance number in room 121B, prior to submitting application to the Clerk's Office.

Expires May 31 of each year; a one-year surety bond is required. Approvals are required by the City's Zoning Office, Police and Fire Departments and the Neighborhood Service Center. 
Applications may require two to four weeks processing time.

This license is required for an establishment that purchases used goods, such as antiques, jewelry, used cars, or electronic equipment, and sells them to the public.

Secondhand Dealer Application

Fee: $200. There is a $10 fee for replacement of a lost license. Make checks payable to the "City of Rochester."

Applicants must apply for a Certificate of Zoning Compliance number in room 121B, prior to submitting application to the Clerk's Office.

Expires May 31 of each year; Approvals are required by the City's Zoning Office, Police and Fire Departments. 
May require two to four weeks processing time.

This license is required for an individual or business that operates an establishment involving nudity or sexually-oriented materials.

Sexually Oriented Business Application

Fee: $425 for businesses containing up to 2,400 square feet; $475 for those over 2,400 square feet. There is a $10 fee for replacement of a lost license. Make checks payable to the "City of Rochester."

Applicants must apply for a Certificate of Zoning Compliance number in room 121B, prior to submitting application to the Clerk's Office.

Expires January 31 each year; Approvals are required by the City's Zoning Office, Police and Fire Departments and the Neighborhood Service Center. 
Applications may require two to four weeks processing time.

This license is required for an individual if he or she works in an establishment that involves nudity or sexually-oriented materials.

Sexually Oriented Business Manager/Employee Application

A Government issued Photo ID is required.

Fee: $40. There is a $10 fee for replacement of a lost license. Make checks payable to the "City of Rochester."

Expires January 31 each year; Approval is required by the Police Department. 
Applications may require two to four weeks processing time

This license is necessary if an individual or business is offering the sale of merchandise or services on City streets and sidewalks. A background check is required and applicants must meet all fire safety requirements. 

Visit the City Clerk's office to pick up an application. The application fee is $7 and will be deducted from the cost of the permit.

 Non-Food Vending (Chapter 62)

 Food Truck Vending (Chapter 60)   

Food Cart Vending (Chapter 60)   

 Chapter 60 Food Trucks, Trailers and Carts 

Center City food truck locations

All food trailer vendors shall pay an annual fee based on one of the following three options:

1. $100 for vending at private events pursuant to Chapt. 60-10 and at events conducted on private property pursuant to a temporary zoning permit issued pursuant to Zoning Code Chapt. 120-149 (A)(10);
2. $100 for vending only at special events authorized in accordance with Chapt. 60-9; or
3. $150 for vending at all events fitting within either of the two categories described in clauses (a) and (b) above.  

Any food vendor wishing to vend at one or more Special Event and does not have a license shall apply to the City Clerk for a Temporary Food Cart Permit and pay a fee of $100 for a permit valid for the calendar year. Any food vendor wishing to vend at a single Special Event and that does not have a license shall apply to the City Clerk for a Three Day Temporary Food Permit and pay a fee of $56 for a permit valid for that event. Such a permit shall allow vending only during and at the location of a Special Event. All food truck and food trailer vendors shall pay a fee of $24 for each identification badge, except for one badge issued with the license at no cost. There is a $10 fee for each replacement license or identification badge. Make checks payable to the "City of Rochester".

Expires December 31 each year; $1,000,000 comprehensive liability insurance coverage and NYS sales taxpayer certificate is required; to vend food, a New York State Health Department permit is required.

Approval is required by the Police and Fire Departments. Applications may require two to four weeks processing time.

This license is required for any individual who will be operating a cab on the City streets.

As of July 1, 2018: Fee: $50. The fee for a Taxi Driver lost picture is $50 and the fee to replace a lost certificate is $10. Make checks payable to the "City of Rochester."

Expires June 30 each year; The following must be provided: the appropriate driver's license classification, documentation that establishes citizenship or employment eligibility, four two-inch by two and one half inch photos, and New York State Department of Motor Vehicles driver's abstract obtained within ten days of application; Approval by the Police Department is required. 
Applications may require two to four weeks processing time

This license is required for any individual or business to operate a taxicab business on the City streets.

Taxi Hackplate Application

As of July 1, 2018: Fee: The application fee is $55, and an additional $295 is due when the application is approved. The fee for a Taxicab Replacement Hack Plate is $60 and the fee to replace a lost certificate is $10. Make checks payable to the "City of Rochester."

Expires June 30 each year; The following must be provided: documentation that establishes citizenship or employment eligibility. All documents must be listed in the same person's or business name. Approval by the Police Department is required.

Applications may require two to four weeks processing time

This license is required to operate a courtesy vehicle for hotel/motels on City streets.

Hotel Motel Van Application

Fee: The application fee is $550 annually. The replacement fee for lost or stolen plates is $60 and the fee to replace a lost certificate is $10. The following must be provided. A copy of incorporation papers, insurance and registration. All documents must include the same person or business owner's name. Make checks payable to the "City of Rochester."

Expires June 30 each year; Approval by the Police Department is required. 
Applications may require two to four weeks processing time.

This license is required for any individual or business that will be dispatching a minimum of ten cabs to operate in the City of Rochester.

Taxicab Livery Application

Fee: $240. There is a $10 fee for replacement of a lost license. Make checks payable to the "City of Rochester."

Expires June 30 each year. The following must be provided: documentation that establishes identity and employment eligibility. All documents must be listed in the same person's or business' name. Approval by the Police Department is required. 
Applications may require two to four weeks processing time

This license is required for any individual or business that will be moving a motor vehicle by another vehicle for hire.

Towing Application

Fee: $350. There is a $10 fee for replacement of a lost license. Make checks payable to the "City of Rochester."

Applicants must apply for a certificate of zoning compliance number in room 121B, prior to submitting application to the Clerk's Office.

Expires August 31 each year; Approval is required by the City's Zoning Office, Police and Fire Departments. 
Applications may require two to four weeks processing time.

The commissions are generally obtained to witness signatures on official documents, such as election designation petitions. The City Clerk's Office can only issue commissions to persons who live or work in the City of Rochester and are residents of Monroe County. Applicants must also register with the Monroe County Clerk's Office, 39 West Main Street.

Commissioner of Deeds Application

Fee: $30; $20 fee at City Clerk's Office payable to the "City of Rochester," an additional $10 fee at Monroe County Clerk's Office. The commission expires two years from the date of issuance.

A Government issued photo ID with current address and verification of employment for non-city residents must be provided.