Information for Businesses
Licenses,
Permits & Other Regulations
There is no such license as a “business license” with the
State of New York. Several “occupations” and “types” of
businesses are required to be licensed by the state. In New
York, there are 36 State permitting agencies with over 1,200
permits ranging from doctor to manicurist to wildlife
exhibitor to consulting. These occupations and the “types”
of businesses connected with these occupations often require
specific regulations as well as legal, education, and
examination requirements. In several cases, there are also
licensing fees that are required for a specific occupation
or profession. Depending on the specific type of business or
manufacturing operation, some type of certification, license
or permit may be required.
Access the New York State Online
Permit Assistance and Licensing (OPAL) information at:
http://www.gorr.state.ny.us/gorr/opal.html
To determine if any local licenses or registrations are
required and to obtain the necessary forms, contact:
Tioga County Clerk,
Robert Woodburn
16 Court Street
P O Box 307, Owego, NY, 13827
Phone (607) 687-8660, fax
(607) 687-4612
Environmental Considerations
Small businesses operate in an increasingly complex legal
environment. Concerns about consumer protection and
environmental preservation have received increased attention
in recent years. As these concerns are brought forth to be
interpreted into laws and regulations by the government, it
is often translated into a maze of paperwork and
restrictions for many business owners. Take heart –
government provides a wide-range of assistance to
businesses. One key to surviving the “regulatory jungle” is
to be aware of the environment in which your business
operates. No one is expected to become a legal expert.
However, you should know which laws affect the business.
A business involved in activities that may affect the
environment (incinerators, boilers, and other facilities
which emit dust, organic compounds, or other contaminants;
discharging processed water, sanitary sewage and cooling
water; solid waste generated by the business) may need one
or more permits issued by the New York State Department of
Environmental Conservation online at:http://www.dec.state.ny.us/
or call Region 7 at (315) 426-7400.
Of particular interest
are businesses that are involved in:
• Air emission
• Solid waste disposal/processing
• Hauling of hazardous waste
• Major alterations to the landscape
• Building near waterways or wetlands.
Business owners should also check with county and local
authorities about permits and licensing. Even though the
costs of adhering to regulations can be burdensome for a
business owner, the cost of noncompliance including fines,
penalties and even closures can be much greater.
Zoning and Building Codes and Ordinances
 It is important for start-up and expanding businesses to
make sure that the occupied facility is in compliance with
all the local laws and regulations. Contact the town or
village clerk or zoning officer to assure compliance with
all the local zoning codes. Also, contact the local building
inspector to assure compliance with regulations affecting
construction (e.g., building, electrical, mechanical and
plumbing codes; rules about construction, alterations,
demolitions, occupancy and use of buildings).
A home-based business is subject to many of the same
local laws and regulations. There are some general areas to
check out. You may wish to consult an attorney.
Be aware of your town and village zoning regulations. If
the business operates in violation of the local government’s
laws and regulations, you could be fined or closed down.
Certain products cannot be produced in the home. Most
states outlaw the home production of fireworks, drugs,
poisons, explosives, sanitary or medical products and toys.
Strict rules apply to the processing of food/drinks and the
manufacturing of clothing.
For information about the laws and regulations at the
county, town or village level you should contact your local
government agency.
Building Code (Uniform Code) of New York State
New York State Building Codes Available from the
International Conference of Building Officials (ICBO) by
phone at:
(800) 284-4406
or at their website,
www.icbo.org/nycodes
Press Release: March 19, 2002
Over a year ago, the State of New York contracted with
the International Conference of Building Officials (ICBO) to
publish and distribute new building, fire prevention and
energy codes, which will be able to be used for building
construction projects beginning July 2002. Governor George
E. Pataki announced the adoption of the new state code March
6, 2002. "These comprehensive building and energy codes will
ensure that our homes and workplaces are safe and energy
efficient, while also spurring new construction and job
opportunities across the state," said Governor Pataki.
"The Codes of New York State, a collection of eight codes
published by ICBO, will soon become the new standard to
achieve compliance with New York's Uniform Fire Prevention
and Building Code and State Energy Conservation Construction
Code", said Ronald Piester, assistant director, Department
of State Codes Division, State of New York. The collection
includes the Building Code of New York State, Residential
Code of New York State, Fire Code of New York State,
Plumbing Code of New York State, Mechanical Code of New York
State, Fuel Gas Code of New York State, Property Maintenance
Code of New York State and Energy Conservation Construction
Code of New York State. Continued Mr. Piester, "This
collection will provide the most up-to-date provisions for
building construction and fire safety ever adopted by the
state of New York. It is a fully integrated, comprehensive
and coordinated collection." The new state code is based on
the International Codes, a standardized set of codes being
adopted across the nation. New York State's Code will be
updated on a regular schedule consistent with the
International Codes three-year review cycle.
For more information or to purchase the code, contact
ICBO at 800-284-4406 or www.icbo.org
ICBO - A nonprofit association and publisher of building
codes since 1927, ICBO has worked with numerous states to
produce building and safety codes, as well as training and
related support services for the building industry. ICBO is
a founding member of the International Code Council.
ICC - The ICC was founded in 1994 as a nonprofit
organization dedicated to developing a single set of
comprehensive and coordinated national model construction
codes. The founders of the ICC are Building Officials and
Code Administrators International, Inc. (BOCA),
International Conference of Building Officials (ICBO), and
Southern Building Code Congress International, Inc. (SBCCI).
Since the early part of the last century, these nonprofit
organizations have developed the three sets of model codes
used throughout the United States.
Trade and Service Marks
State registration of trademarks is recommended. In New
York, the Department of State issues the marks. For
additional information about State registration, contact the
Department of State's Office of State Records at (518)
474-2755.
What is a Trademark?
The term "trademark" as defined by Section 360 of the
General Business Law means any word, name, symbol, or device
or any combination thereof used by a person to identify and
distinguish the goods of such person, including a unique
product, from those manufactured and sold by others, and to
indicate the source of the goods, even if that source is
unknown.
What is a Service mark?
The term "service mark" as defined by Section 360 of the
General Business Law means any word, name, symbol, or device
or any combination thereof used by a person to identify and
distinguish the services of one person, including a unique
service, from the services of others, and to indicate the
source of the services, even if that source is unknown.
Titles, character names used by a person, and other
distinctive features of radio or television programs may be
registered as service marks notwithstanding that they, or
the programs, may advertise the goods of the sponsor.
How do I Register a Trademark or Service Mark?
Pursuant to Section 360-b of the General Business Law, any
person who uses a mark may file in the Office of the
Secretary of State an application to register the mark. The
forms and instructions for filing a trademark or service
mark are available on this Site at:
http://dos.state.ny.us/corp/miscfae.html.
The completed application, together with the appropriate
filing fee, should be forwarded to the New York State
Department of State, Bureau of State Records, 41 State
Street, Albany, NY 12231.
What is the fee for filing a Trademark or Service Mark?
The fee for filing the application is $50 for each
classification of goods or services claimed. The check must
be made payable to the Department of State.
Trademarks and service marks may also be registered for
use throughout the United States with the U.S. Patent and
Trademark Office at (800) 786-9199 or online at
http://www.uspto.gov/
Copyrights
A copyright enables its owner to exclude others from
reproducing certain works, such as books, musical
compositions, technical drawings and computer programs, for
the author’s life plus 50 years.
A copyright may be obtained
by filing an application with the
U.S. Copyright Office,
Library of Congress
101 Independence Avenue SE, Washington,
D.C. 20559-6000; telephone (202) 707-3000
or online at
http://lcweb.loc.gov/copyright
Tioga County Empire Zone
A portion of the Village of Owego has been designated by
New York State as the Tioga County Empire Zone. Businesses
within an EZ may qualify for special program tax credits and
benefits.
For more information:
Tioga County Empire Zone Incentives
Tioga County Economic Development
Teresa Saraceno, EZ Coordinator
607-687-8260
Local, State and Federal
Government
websites for business
Local Government
Binghamton University -
Strategic Partnership for Industrial Resurgence
The center assists small and mid sized businesses through
partnership projects staffed by Watson School Engineering
and Computer Science students and faculty plus client
personnel.
Broome-Tioga
Workforce Development System
Focused on helping businesses recruit and retain talented
workers, assessing and responding to current and future
workforce needs, and helping individuals obtain rewarding
career opportunities.
Cornell
Cooperative Extension
Assistance for the agricultural business community.
Entrepreneurship Legal Services
The Entrepreneurship Legal Services (ELS) program
provides affordable, professional quality legal services
that are vital to the formation, operation and eventual
success of any start-up or emerging growth-oriented
business.
Minorities and Women
Business Enterprise Development Center
This not-for profit community based organization is
dedicated to the provision of training, counseling, and
skill development for financially challenged individuals and
families in Broome, Chenango, Delaware, and Tioga Counties.
Southern Tier East
Regional Planning Development Board
Loan programs and demographic data available.
Tioga County
Information on Tioga County Government.
Tioga County
Chamber of Commerce
Information on how to assist businesses grow and prosper.
Numerous networking opportunities during the year, business
counseling and referrals, seminars and workshops, a business
directory and buyers guide, monthly newsletter, tourism
promotion, and welcome packages. Membership benefits include
Group Health Plans and various other insurance programs.
Tioga
County Economic Development and Planning
Information on county planning, Empire Zones, loan programs,
and tax incentives. Website contains information on Tioga
County Rural Economic Area Partnership (REAP), Tioga County
Industrial Development Agency (IDA) and Tioga County Local
Development Corporation (LDC).
Tioga County
Tourism
Visitor information, calendar of events, history and things
to see and do in River Country - Tioga County. Home of the
state-award winning "River Country Visitor's Guide."
Information about the "I Love NY" matching grant program for
marketing and promotion of tourism businesses and events.
State Government
New York State
(Main Site)
Provides web listing of every New York State Department and
Agency.
Alliance for
Manufacturing and Technology
Information on how to improve the performance,
competitiveness and growth of small and mid-size
manufacturers and early-stage technology companies. ISO
Certification information.
Empire State
Development
The first site to visit for your business needs. Main
business development site covers businesses large and small.
Includes NYS Site Finder for vacant site and building
searches.
New York Business
Development Council
Mission is to promote economic activity within New York
state by providing innovative loans to small and medium-size
businesses; to assist our partner banks in making such
loans; and, particularly, to assist minority and women-owned
businesses by offering credit opportunities not otherwise
available to them.
New York State
Assembly
Information about current bills presented to New York’s
Legislative branch. Includes searchable index for New York
State Laws.
New York State
Attorney General
Information on Civil Rights Laws and Consumer Issues.
New York State Data Center
Demographic information on New York State.
New York State
Department of Environmental Conservation
Environmental permit information for businesses.
New York State
Department of Labor
Information on how to find a job, training programs
available, safety and health standards, reporting forms,
unemployment rates & insurance, workers’ disability
information, access to required workplace posters, New York
State Labor Laws.
New York State
Department of State
Information on New York State licensing services for
businesses. UCC information. Searchable index on registered
companies in New York State.
New York State
Department of Taxation & Finance
Forms and publications for all business finance reporting
requirements. Information on New York State business taxes.
New York State
Economic Development Council
The New York State Economic Development Council is the
state's principle organization representing economic
development professionals. NYSEDC’s core services include
lobbying state and federal government on issues affecting
New York’s business climate and economic development
programs and organizing business-marketing programs to
promote New York as a world-class business location.
New York
State Governor's Office of Regulatory Reform
Information on permits, codes, starting a business,
resources, programs and agency contacts. “If you're getting
the runaround or being unnecessarily hounded by one of our
state agencies call our Office of Regulatory Reform. We will
intervene. We will take care of the problem. And we will do
it fast.” – Gov. George Pataki.
NYS GORR Permit
Database
The Governor’s Office of Regulatory Reform’s online permit
database has proven popular with New Yorkers attempting to
start new businesses or to increase the scope of existing
businesses. Visitors may avail themselves of over 240
business assistance kits, tailored to individualized
business types.
New
York State Office of General Services
Access to information about doing business with the State of
New York.
New York
State Senate
Information on the New York State Senate and Reapportionment
within the state.
Small Business
Development Center
Mission is to provide the entrepreneurs and small business
owners in our seven-county region with management and
technical assistance.
Federal Government
Appalachian Regional
Commission
The Appalachian Regional Commission is a federal-state
partnership that works with the people of Appalachia to
create opportunities for self-sustaining economic
development and improved quality of life.
US Bureau of Labor
Statistics
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is the principal
fact-finding agency for the Federal Government in the broad
field of labor economics and statistics. The BLS is an
independent national statistical agency that collects,
processes, analyzes, and disseminates essential statistical
data to the American public, the U.S. Congress, other
Federal agencies, State and local governments, business, and
labor. The BLS also serves as a statistical resource to the
Department of Labor.
US Census Bureau
Information on Census 2000.
US
Copyright Office
Information, forms, and publications regarding United States
Copyright laws.
US Department of
Agriculture
Assistance to agricultural business community.
USDA NY Rural
Development
USDA Rural Development's goal is to help all rural New
Yorkers improve their quality of life. We do this by
offering a variety of programs to assist rural leaders,
business owners and citizens address important issues their
community is facing.
US Department of Commerce
Economic Development, Trade, Telecommunications, Technology
& Minority Business Development.
US Environmental
Protection Agency
Environmental permit information for businesses.
US Internal Revenue
Service
Information, forms, and publications regarding business and
personal taxes.
SS4 – Application for Employer Identification Number – EIN
Web site: http://ftp.fedworld.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fss4.pdf
US Department of Labor
Summary of federally required workplace posters.
US Patent & Trademark Office
Registration forms for trademarks and service marks.
US Small
Business Administration
Information about the services and programs available
through the SBA.
US Social Security
Administration
Information about the Social Security Administration, their
services to employers (including a guide to wage reporting
for employers), and information about being self-employed.
Business Tax Information
Understanding your tax
obligations and preparing taxes can be very confusing and
complicated. Click here for a comprehensive PDF document
outlining your tax obligations. |
