POOL OR BILLIARD ROOM (046)

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:
A business must have a Pool or Billiard Room license if it has three or more pool, billiard, or pocket billiard tables for play on the premises. A license is not required if:

• You are a membership corporation, club, society, or association that owns and occupies the premises in which only members use the pool or billiard room and the room is not the dominant facility or activity of the organization OR
• You are a religious, charitable, eleemosynary (relating to charity or the giving of alms), or education organization that owns and occupies the premises in which only members use the pool or billiard room.

This description is only a general explanation of which businesses need to have a Pool or Billiard Room license.

ADDITIONAL DCA LICENSES YOU MAY NEED:

• If your business has 10 or more amusement devices located on the premises, you must also obtain an Amusement Arcade 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.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS: 

Before You File Your DCA License Application:
You must obtain the following required documents before filing your application. 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.

• Applicable Business Certificates based on your Business's Legal Structure 

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: Pool or Billiard Room 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.

For in-person application submission, applicants can download and complete the Basic License Application Form (in PDF).

• Pool or Billiard Room Table Information (download)
  Applicants for a Pool or Billiard Room license must indicate the number of rooms on the premises and the number of tables in each room.
  
  
• 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 8” or “Use Group 12” and designation of “Pool or Billiard Room.”
  
  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 a pool or billiard room. 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 and the number of pool/billiard tables. 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. 

*Note: If you are applying for the license between February 2 in an odd year and August 1 in an odd year, you can pay the prorated fee for the license period about to end PLUS the fee for the new two-year license period. For example, applicants with three (3) billiard tables can pay $105 (prorated fee of $85+$10+$10) PLUS $420 (two-year fee of $340+$40+$40), for a total of $525. If you pay both fees, you will not need to renew the license until August 1 of the next odd year.

Online Applicants: If you submit your license application online between February 2 in an odd year and August 1 in an odd year, you will be required to pay $425 (combined license fee including one table) PLUS $50 for each additional table on the premises. You will not need to renew the license until August 1 of the next odd 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: Pool or Billiard Room Table Information; Department of Buildings Document; Place of Assembly Certificate of Operation (if applicable); 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.