LAUNDRY (064)
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 Laundry license if it washes, dries, starches, or irons clothes, household linens, or other washable fabrics for the public or, if self-service or otherwise, the public may come to the business to wash clothes or other fabrics whether by automatic or coin-operated machines.
This description is only a general explanation of which businesses need to have a Laundry 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.
- 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: Laundry 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
- Business Certificate
See description above.
Attention: Corporate Applicants. If you file your application in person, DCA can print a copy of your Certificate of Incorporation and/or Certificate of Authority to Conduct Business in New York from the New York State Department of State’s Web site.
- 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.
- Copy of your Surety Bond (or Third Party Bond), properly signed
The copy of the bond must name the Department of Consumer Affairs as the Certificate Holder. Your corporate name, Doing-Business-As (DBA) name (if any), and premises address must be exactly the same on all documents. You must also submit a copy of the bond receipt showing that the bond has been paid in full and does not expire before the end of the licensing period. The amount of the bond depends upon the number of employees your business has.
- for 0 to 25 employees: $500
- for 26 to 50 employees: $1,500
- for 51 to 75 employees: $2,500
- for 76 to 125 employees: $3,000
- for 126 or more employees: $5,000
Download a list of bonding companies (in PDF)
The companies listed have provided bonds for licensees, or have communicated to the Department of Consumer Affairs an interest in doing so. The list must not be considered a recommendation of any company, or a complete listing. All applicants are advised to investigate and compare these and other bonding companies. Some companies may provide only certain types of bonds. Companies are listed in alphabetical order.
- 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 and show approval of the premises for "Use Group 6" or "Use Group 6C."
- 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.
| LAUNDRY LICENSE |
| License Term: 2 years |
| License Expiration Date: December 31, Odd years |
| Your License Fee is (determined by # of employees): |
| If You File Your Application Between These Dates: | 0-5
A | 6-10
B | 11-25
C | 26-50
D | 51-75
E | 76-100
F | 101-125
G | 126+
H |
| From January 1 in an even year to June 30 in an even year | $340 | $490 | $740 | $1,240 | $1,740 | $1,990 | $2,240 | $2,740 |
| From July 1 in an even year to December 31 in an even year | $255 | $368 | $555 | $930 | $1,305 | $1,493 | $1,680 | $2,055 |
| From January 1 in an odd year to June 30 in an odd year | $170 | $245 | $370 | $620 | $870 | $995 | $1,120 | $1,370 |
| From July 1 in an odd year to December 31 in an odd year | $85
OR
*$425 | $122
OR
*$612 | $185
OR
*$925 | $310
OR
*$1,550 | $435
OR
*$2,175 | $497
OR
*$2,487 | $560
OR
*$2,800 | $685
OR
*$3,425 |
*Note: If you are applying for the license between July 1 in an odd year and December 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 0 to 5 employees can pay $85 (prorated fee) PLUS $340 (two-year fee), for a total of $425. If you pay both fees, you will not need to renew the license until December 31 of the next odd year.
Online Applicants: If you submit your license application online between July 1 in an odd year and December 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 0 to 5 employees must pay $425. You will not need to renew the license until December 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 copy of the applicable business certificate, surety bond, bond receipt, and a copy of the Department of Buildings document. 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. 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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