Who is required to have a business license, and where can one be obtained?
Many businesses are required to be licensed by one unit of government or another. In New York State there are many State permitting agencies with over 1,000 permits between them. To find out if your business is required to have a license or permit, click Here to access New York State’s Online Permit Assistance and Licensing website (OPAL). Here, you can run a search on your businesses type to find out what licenses and permits are required. Visit the “New York Loves Small Business” webpage that addresses permitting issues. This page contains information, links and contacts that will aid you in finding out what permits are required of your business. To speak with a permit coordinator, call the Governor’s Office of Regulatory Reform at 518-474-8275 or toll-free (in New York State) 800-342-3464.
