GARAGE (049), PARKING LOT (050), GARAGE & PARKING LOT (098)

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). 

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.

Bicycle Parking
If your business will accommodate 100 or more automobiles, you must provide bicycle parking. As of November 11, 2011, if your business will accommodate 51 or more automobiles, you must provide bicycle parking or provide proof of exemption or waiver. Key regulations and examples are below.

• You must provide at least one bicycle parking space for every 10 automobile parking spaces provided, up to 200 automobile parking spaces.
• If your business can accommodate 200 or more automobiles, you must provide at least one additional bicycle parking space for every additional 100 automobile parking spaces.
• Bicycles must be stored inside a secure holding area OR placed on a bike rack that would allow the bike wheel and frame to be locked.

Examples (up to 599 Automobile Parking Spaces)

For convenience, copies of the Rule and Law related to bicycle parking and 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   

Garage and/or Parking Lot 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).

• 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 http://tax.ny.gov or call (518) 485-2889. Allow four to six weeks after applying to the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance to receive your Certificate of Authority.

• Rate Information (download)
  Submit two completed copies of Rate Information for vehicles. 

• Proof of Bicycle Parking
  If your business plans to accommodate 100 or more automobiles*, you must submit ONE of the following documents as proof of bicycle parking:  
  
  • Two completed copies of Rate Information for bicycles** (download) OR
  • Certification of Exemption from Compliance with DCA Bicycle Parking Requirements (download) OR
  • An approved Bicycle Parking Spaces Waiver from the Department of Buildings (DOB). To apply for the waiver, visit the DOB Bicycle Access Web site 

*Note: As of November 11, 2011, if your business plans to accommodate 51 or more automobiles, you will need to submit Proof of Bicycle Parking as described above.

**Barring an exemption or waiver, you must submit four copies of completed Rate Information: two copies with the VEHICLES box checked and two copies with the BICYCLES box checked. Do not combine vehicles and bicycles Rate Information.  

• Department of Buildings Document
  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 the Department of Buildings (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, show approval of the premises for “Parking Garage” and/or “Parking Lot,” and indicate a capacity greater than or equal to the number of vehicles your garage and/or parking lot plans to accommodate.

• Non-Exempt Status Affirmation (download)
  Complete the form to affirm that your business requires a Garage and/or Parking Lot license from the Department of Consumer Affairs.

• Personal and Property Liability Insurance for Garage and/or Parking Lot
  You must submit a copy of the Insurance Certificate for your premises. Your Insurance Certificate must name the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) as a certificate holder. Minimum amounts of coverage are:
  
  • $100,000 per person for personal injury
  • $300,000 per accident for personal injury
  • $25,000 per accident for property damage
    OR
  • $325,000 Combined Single Limit (CSL) 

Note: You must notify DCA within 14 days if your insurance policy is cancelled, expired, or was terminated for any reason. Notification must be in writing and submitted in person OR by mail to:

Attn: Licensing Center
New York City Department of Consumer Affairs
42 Broadway, 5th Floor
New York, NY 10004

• 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
  The License Fee must be paid by credit card, money order, or check. Cards accepted at the DCA Licensing Center include MasterCard, American Express, and Discover Card. Credit card payments are subject to a 2.49% convenience fee. 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 vehicles your garage and/or parking lot will accommodate. Note: An odd year is any year ending in an odd digit; for example, 2011, 2013, etc. An even year is any year ending in an even digit; for example, 2012, 2014, 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 October 1 in an even year and March 31 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 space to accommodate 5 to 25 vehicles can pay $75 (prorated fee) PLUS $300 (two-year fee), for a total of $375. If you pay both fees, you will not need to renew the license until March 31 of the next odd year.

Online Applicants: If you submit your license application online between October 1 in an even year and March 31 in an odd year, you will be required to pay the combined fee. Combined fees are marked with an asterisk (*) in the chart. For example, applicants with space to accommodate 5 to 25 vehicles must pay $375. You will not need to renew the license until March 31 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 a Department of Buildings document, a Personal and Property Liability Insurance Certificate, and a Granting Authority to Act Affirmation (if applicable). If you do not upload required documents as part of the application form submission, 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. If applicable, you must also submit Proof of Bicycle Parking. 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.
FOR GARAGE LICENSE APPLICANTS, CLICK HERE

FOR PARKING LOT LICENSE APPLICANTS, CLICK HERE

FOR COMBO GARAGE AND PARKING LOT LICENSE APPLICANTS, CLICK HERE

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.