DCA Licensing
Center 42 Broadway, 5th Floor New York, NY 10004 For more information,
call 311 (or 212-NEW-YORK outside of New York City).
LICENSE DESCRIPTION: Any premises where 10 or
more amusement devices are located requires an Amusement Arcade license.
This description is only a general explanation of which businesses need
to have an Amusement Arcade (Premises) license.
Note: New York City businesses must comply with all relevant
federal, state, and City laws and rules. All laws and rules of the City of New
York, including the Consumer Protection Law and Rules, are accessible using the
Public Access Portal. For convenience,
sections of the New York City Licensing Law (and Rules, if enacted) are
available as a downloadable
handout.
Please note that businesses are responsible for knowing and complying with
the most current laws, including any City Council amendments. The Department of
Consumer Affairs (DCA) is not responsible for errors or omissions in the
handout. The information is not legal advice. You can only obtain legal advice
from a lawyer.
ADDITIONAL CITY PERMIT YOU NEED:
Your business must hold a current New York City Department of Health and
Mental Hygiene Food Service Establishment Permit in good standing before you
can apply for an Amusement Arcade license.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:
Before You File Your DCA License
Application:
Premises Approval by the Fire Department You must
receive premises approval from the Fire Department (FDNY) in order to obtain a
Amusement Arcade license. Complete the Application to Request an Inspection/Recommendation and DCA
will forward your request to FDNY. FDNY will notify DCA of your inspection
results. Please note that if you fail the inspection, it is your
responsibility to correct problems.
Community Board and Council Member Review DCA will
submit a copy of your Application to Request an Inspection/Recommendation to
the Community Board and Council Member where your premises will be located.
The Community Board and Council Member have 15 days to respond and their
feedback will be taken into consideration in the review of your license
application.
Electrical Inspection The premises must be in
compliance with all current electrical building codes. Please obtain ONE of
the following as proof of an electrical inspection:
A copy of a statement from a licensed electrician, on official business
letterhead, stating that the premises comply with all current electrical
building codes OR
A current copy of the Certificate of Occupancy issued by the Department
of Buildings (DOB) dated within 90 days of application submission.
Note: A Temporary Certificate of Occupancy is not an
acceptable proof of an electrical inspection.
Applicable Business Certificates based on your Business's
Legal Structure (Although DCA does not require submission of these
documents in order to process your application in person or online, DCA
reserves the right to request and examine the documents under section 20.104
of the New York City Administrative Code.)
Sole Proprietorships operating under a name other than your own must file a
Business/Assumed Name Certificate with the clerk of the county in which your
business is conducted.
Sole Proprietorships doing business under your own name—and not under a
trade or Doing-Business-As (DBA) name—do not need a Business Certificate.
General/Business Partnerships must file your Partnership Certificate with
the clerk of the county in which your business is conducted.
Corporations, Limited Partnerships, Limited Liability Companies, or Limited
Liability Partnerships must register and remain active with the New York State
Department of State. Active status will be verified by DCA prior to license
issuance. You can confirm the status of your business entity at NYS Web site. If applicable, you must also file an Assumed
Name Certificate for your business.
Businesses incorporated out of state must obtain a Certificate of Doing
Business in Good Standing from your home state’s Secretary of State and file
this with an application for Authority to Conduct Business in New York with
the New York State Secretary of State.
When You File Your DCA License
Application: Below are requirements when filing your license
application:
Basic License Application
NEW: Amusement Arcade license
applicants can now submit new license applications online.
Applying for the license online does not mean the license is automatically
approved. A major credit card is required to submit applications online.
Convenience fees apply. After reviewing application requirements, please click
the Apply Online link at the bottom of this Web page to submit your application
online.
Application to Request an Inspection/Recommendation (download) See description above. DCA will forward the
request to FDNY and the relevant Community Board and Council Member for review
and/or approval.
Proof of Electrical Inspection See description
above.
Sales Tax Identification Number OR Certificate of Authority Application
Confirmation Number The Sales Tax Identification Number is the 9, 10,
or 11-digit number on your New York State Department of Taxation and Finance
Certificate of Authority. You must enter this number on the Basic License
Application form. If you have not received your Certificate of Authority,
please enter the 6-digit confirmation number you received when you
successfully submitted the application for a Certificate of Authority.
To obtain an application for a Certificate of Authority, visit the NYS
Department of Taxation and Finance online at www.nystax.gov or call toll-free (800)
698-2909. Allow four to six weeks after applying to the New York State
Department of Taxation and Finance to receive your Certificate of
Authority.
Department of Buildings Documents You must submit a
copy of the Certificate of Occupancy, Temporary Certificate of Occupancy
(expiring no less than 30 days from date of application submission), OR Letter
of No Objection from DOB confirming that your premises is suitable to operate
your business. If you submit a Certificate of Occupancy or Temporary
Certificate of Occupancy, it must be the most current version and show
approval of the premises for “Use Group 15” and “Arcade” or “Amusement
Arcade.”
In addition, if the premises will be able to accommodate 75 or
more persons, you must submit a copy of your Place of Assembly Certificate of
Operation issued by DOB. The certificate must be the most current version and
indicate the usage for an amusement arcade. For more information, visit DOB’s Web site
Child Support Certification Form (download) If
your business is a SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP or GENERAL or LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, the
proprietor or each individual general partner must submit a
Child Support Certification Form.
Granting Authority to Act Affirmation (download)
If this application will be filed by someone other than
the license applicant, the license applicant must submit a Granting Authority
to Act Affirmation.
License Fee For in-person application submissions, the License
Fee must be paid by credit card, money order, or check. Cards accepted include
Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover Card. Checks or money orders
must be payable to NYC Department of Consumer Affairs. The chart below lists
the amount due depending upon when your license application is filed.
Note: An odd year is any year ending in an odd digit; for
example, 2009, 2011, etc. An even year is any year ending in an even digit;
for example, 2010, 2012, etc.
Please note that
convenience fees apply if you submit your license application online. A major
credit card is required to submit applications online.
AMUSEMENT ARCADE LICENSE
License Term
License Expiration Date
If You File Your Application Between These
Dates:
Your License Fee is:
2 years
January 16 Even years
From January 17 in an even year to July 16 in
an even year
$340
From July 17 in an even year to January 16 in
an odd year
$255
From January 17 in an odd year to July 16 in an
odd year
$170
From July 17 in an odd year to January 16 in an
even year
$85 OR *$425
*Note: If you are applying for a license between July 17 in
an odd year and January 16 in an even year, you can pay the prorated fee for the
license period about to end ($85) PLUS the fee for the new two-year license
period ($340), for a total of $425. If you pay both fees, you will not
need to renew the license until January 16 of the next even year.
Online Applicants: If you submit your license application
online between July 17 in an odd year and January 16 in an even year, you will
be required to pay the combined fee totaling $425. You will not need to
renew the license until January 16 of the next even year.
APPLICATION FILING
PROCESS:
ONLINE
SUBMISSION: Please make sure that you have
reviewed and recorded the information required to submit a license application
online before clicking the button below. Note: As outlined in
the “When You File” section, applicants must submit the following supporting
documents: Application to Request an Inspection/Recommendation; Proof of
Electrical Inspection; Department of Buildings Documents; Child Support
Certification Form (if applicable); and Granting Authority to Act Affirmation
(if applicable). You must fax, e-mail, or bring documents to the DCA Licensing
Center within five (5) business days after successfully filing the application
form online. Applicants should follow instructions on the printed confirmation
page. Your license application will not be complete without these
requirements.
You will be routed to NYC Business Express.
IN-PERSON SUBMISSION: Applications may be filed in person at the DCA Licensing Center
at the address above between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday,
Thursday and Friday, and from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on
Wednesday.
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