N.Y. Town Law Section 137
Issuing of licenses

If any such trade, occupation or use of premises shall be prohibited without a license, the town board shall establish uniform fees for the issuance of such licenses and may require applicants for licenses to submit written applications supplying under affidavit such information as the town board may require. Upon receipt of the license fee therefor, the town clerk, or the building inspector as provided in § 138 (Building inspector)section one hundred thirty-eight of this chapter, shall issue a license specifying the trade, occupation or use of premises thereby authorized and such license shall become effective from the date thereof and shall continue in force for the term specified therein but shall not be transferable. Such a license shall not be issued for a longer term than one year from the date thereof. The town board may by resolution provide for the staggering of licensing periods. Should such action result in a licensing period which is shorter than the regular licensing period, the town clerk shall adjust the fee proportionately. A license may be refused if the applicant shall have been convicted of a misdemeanor or felony, which in the judgment of the town clerk or the building inspector renders the applicant unfit or undesirable to carry on the trade or occupation involved. The town clerk or the building inspector may also refuse a license to any person who in his judgment shall be an undesirable person or incapable of properly conducting the trade or business desired. Any applicant who has been refused a license by the town clerk or the building inspector may apply to the town board therefor, and the same may be granted or refused by the board, except as prohibited herein. After a public hearing thereon at which the licensee shall have an opportunity to be heard, the town board may revoke any license issued under authority of this article to any applicant whom the town board shall determine to be an undesirable person or incapable of properly conducting the trade or business previously licensed. The granting, refusal or revocation of such license by the town board shall be subject to review by certiorari.

Source: Section 137 — Issuing of licenses, https://www.­nysenate.­gov/legislation/laws/TWN/137 (updated Sep. 22, 2014; accessed Feb. 28, 2026).

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Verified:
Feb. 28, 2026

Last modified:
Sep. 22, 2014

§ 137. Issuing of licenses's source at nysenate​.gov

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