Commercial Lessor License

The New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) issues a license for commercial lessors. This is needed if your business will rent space to nonprofit groups for charitable games such as bingo and games of chance.

• Get business certificates: You need to get the right business certificates based on the legal structure. You do not need to submit this document with your application, but the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) may ask for it.

• If you are a sole proprietorship:

  • If you are using a trade name or Doing-Business-As (DBA), you need to file a DBA/Assumed Name Certificate with the county clerk.

  • If you are using your own name, a business certificate is not needed.
    Learn more about the Business Certificate for Sole Proprietorships and General Partnerships.

• If you are part of a general or business partnership: You need to file a business certificate with the county clerk. You can review the Business Certificate for Sole Proprietorships and General Partnerships page for more information.

• If you are part of a Corporation, Limited Partnership (LP), Limited Liability Company (LLC) or Limited Liability Partnership (LLP): You need to register and remain active with the New York State Department of State (NYS DOS). If you use a trade name, file an Assumed Name Certificate.

  • Your status will be verified by DCWP prior to giving license.

  • If you are using a DBA, you need to file an Assumed Name Certificate. You can review DOS to check status.

• If you own an out-of-state business: If your business is located outside of New York State, you must get a certificate of doing business in good standing from your home state.

  • This is issued by the Secretary of State.

• You need to file it with an application for authority to conduct business in New York. Learn more about the Business Certificate for Sole Proprietorships and General Partnerships.
  
  Submit Gaming Commission forms: You need to submit two copies of NYS Gaming Commission forms to conduct bingo or games of chance:

  • For bingo games: You need to submit these documents - BC-101, BC-102, BC-116 LEASE Agreement, BC-204, Form 103, Form 104, Form 105, Form 108
  • For games of chance: You need to submit these documents - GC-101, GC-102, Form 103, Form 104, Form 105, Form 108

• Get a certificate of occupancy: You need to submit a 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).

  • If you are submitting 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, Bingo, Bingo Hall, Meeting Hall or Meeting Room.

  • You can check here for more details.

• Get a place of assembly certificate: If your place will hold 75 or more people, you need to submit a Place of Assembly Certificate of Operation from the DOB.
  Learn more about the Place of Assembly Certificate of Operation.

• If someone else will prepare and submit the application: You need to fill out the
  Granting Authority to Act Affirmation (PDF).

• Fingerprinting:
  All key business members (sole proprietors, general partners, directors, corporate officers and shareholders) owning 10 percent or more of company stock must be fingerprinted at the DCWP Licensing Center: You must bring:

  • A valid photo ID (a driver's license, non-driver's ID issued by State Department of Motor Vehicles, a license or permit)

  • A passport

  • A permanent resident card or green card
    
    If you are a City, state or federal employee, you need to bring an employee identification card.
    You do not need to be fingerprinted if DCWP currently has your fingerprints on file.

• You need to pay license fees:

  • $5,010 license fee for rent over $100,000 from nonprofits
  • $2,510 license fee for rent between $50,000 and $100,000 from nonprofits
  • $75 fingerprint processing fee per person
  • 2 percent nonrefundable convenience fee for credit card payments

• You can pay by:

  • Check payable to NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection, in person only
  • Money order payable to NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection, in person only
  • Credit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover)

Two weeks after the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) gets all your papers, they will send a letter. The letter will have the following details:

• If your application is approved: DCWP will send you a license.
• If more information is needed: The letter will explain what documents to send. Your application will be denied if you do not send the documents within 10 days.
• If your application is denied: DCWP will provide you with the reason. They will ask you to apply again.

• License validity: Licenses are valid for one year. They expire on December 31 every year.

• Informing DCWP of changes:

  • If any information in your approved application changes, you must inform the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP).
  • You can call 311 or visit the DCWP Licensing Center. It is good to call 311 to check if you need to visit a center for any specific change. Licensing appointments are only available if you have a physical disability or other impairment that requires an in-person visit. You can review this flyer to learn how to schedule an appointment.

• Charitable gaming activities: If you want to keep using your place for charitable gaming, you must file a new license application. You need to follow the steps in the Apply tab.

• Follow all laws and rules: You must follow all laws and rules of New York City, including the Consumer Protection Law and Rules. You can review the Public Access Portal.

• Review the requirements: You must review and gather all materials. You will need a registered account with the City of New York to submit an online application.

• To complete and submit your application:

  • Make sure you have the information listed under prerequisites.
  • You must also have a major credit card ready.

• Complete the required forms: You must complete the forms and gather all necessary documents.

• File all documents and pay the fees: You need to pay the fees at the DCWP Licensing Center. Licensing appointments are only available if you have a physical disability or other impairment that requires an in-person visit. You can review this flyer to learn how to schedule an appointment.

• Contact information: The email for DCWP Licensing Center is as follows:

  • Email: onlineappsdocs@dcwp.nyc.gov