Storage Warehouses

RCNY tit. 6, ch. 2, subch. BB

in effect

6 RCNY § 2-321 Definitions.

§ 2-321 Definitions. For purposes of this subchapter: Bill for services. "Bill for services" means a document signed by the storage warehouse operator or his authorized agent stating the total costs for the following: (1) the monthly storage fee for storage of the goods; (2) if applicable, the charge for a minimum number of months' storage; (3) the charge for packing, containers, warehouse labor in, transportation to the warehouse, padding or sanitizing; (4) any charges imposed by the storage warehouse operator, including the charges for warehouse labor out and transportation from the warehouse, if applicable. Inventory. "Inventory" means an itemized list, signed by the storage warehouse operator or his authorized agent, indicating the condition of each item which is being stored. Written estimate. "Written estimate" means a document signed by the storage warehouse operator or his authorized agent setting forth: (1) the charge, if applicable, but not exceeding $20 for the written estimate based upon an actual physical inspection; (2) a tally of the household goods included in the estimate, which shall not be construed to be an inventory as defined by 6 RCNY § 2-321 "Inventory"; (3) the estimated monthly storage fee for storage of the goods; (4) if applicable, the estimated charge for packing, containers, warehouse labor in transportation to the warehouse, padding or sanitizing; (5) if applicable, the minimum monthly storage fee or the minimum number of months' storage charge; (6) any other charges imposed by the storage warehouse operator, including a statement that there will be a charge for "warehouse labor out" and "transportation from the warehouse" and a description of how these charges will be calculated; (7) any limitation on liability for loss or damage to household goods; (8) the name, principal place of business and telephone number of the storage warehouse operator, and the street address, borough and telephone number where the goods will be stored. (Amended City Record 7/26/2018, eff. 8/25/2018; amended City Record 8/18/2026, eff. 9/17/2026)

6 RCNY § 2-322 Oral Disclosures.

§ 2-322 Oral Disclosures. (a) It is a deceptive practice for a storage warehouse operator to fail to disclose to a consumer in response to a telephone inquiry about storage: (1) that the consumer has a right to a written estimate based on a physical inspection of the consumer's goods before any goods are removed by the warehouse operator; (2) the charge, if applicable, but not exceeding $20, for the written estimate based upon a physical inspection; (3) the street address and borough where the goods will be stored; (4) whether there is a minimum monthly storage fee or charge for a minimum number of months' storage and, if so, the amount of the charges; (5) the warehouse operator's storage rate per unit; (6) the total charge customarily imposed by the warehouse operator for three months' storage of the following bedroom furniture: 1 double bed or 2 single beds 1 bureau or dresser 1 chair 1 night table (7) whether the warehouse operator imposes charges for warehouse labor in, padding, papering, storage preparation, or sanitizing and, if so, the amount of the charges; (8) the warehouse operator's transportation charges to the warehouse; (9) the warehouse operator's charge for containers; (10) the warehouse operator's charge for packing; (11) any other charges that will be imposed by the warehouse operator. (b) It is a deceptive practice for a storage warehouse operator to fail to: (1) give a consumer a printed copy of the oral disclosures prior to picking up the goods for storage; (2) retain a copy of the disclosures signed by the consumer acknowledging receipt thereof. (c) It is a deceptive practice for a storage warehouse operator to represent any service as legally mandatory when it is optional (e.g. sanitizing). (Amended City Record 7/26/2018, eff. 8/25/2018; amended City Record 8/18/2026, eff. 9/17/2026)

6 RCNY § 2-323 Written Estimate.

§ 2-323 Written Estimate. (a) It is a deceptive practice for a storage warehouse operator to accept, or offer to accept, household goods for storage without issuing the consumer a written estimate, based upon an actual physical inspection, before any goods are removed to storage, except that if a customer requests that the warehouse operator accept household goods for storage without receiving a written estimate the warehouse operator, before receiving any goods: (1) shall have the consumer sign a statement waiving his/her right to a written estimate and giving the reasons therefor; (2) shall orally communicate to the consumer the information required by 6 RCNY § 2-322; (3) shall, within 5 business days after arrival of the consumer's goods at the warehouse, send the consumer a statement based upon an examination of the goods being stored, containing the following information: (i) the monthly storage fee for storage of the goods (including any minimum number of months' storage charge); (ii) if applicable, the charge for packing, padding, papering, containers, warehouse labor in, transportation to the warehouse, storage preparation or sanitizing; (iii) any other charges that will be imposed by the storage warehouse operator; (iv) any limitation on legal liability for the negligent loss or damage to the goods. (b) It is an unconscionable practice for a storage warehouse operator to directly or indirectly discourage a consumer from receiving a written estimate based upon an actual physical inspection. (Amended City Record 8/18/2026, eff. 9/17/2026)

6 RCNY § 2-324 Inventory.

§ 2-324 Inventory. It is a deceptive practice for a storage warehouse operator to accept household goods for storage without providing the consumer, at the time the household goods are picked up, with an inventory of the goods being stored.

6 RCNY § 2-325 Cancellation.

§ 2-325 Cancellation. It is a deceptive practice for a warehouse operator to impose any charge upon a consumer who cancels a storage agreement before 3 p.m. on the day preceding the scheduled storage of the goods.

6 RCNY § 2-326 Bill for Services.

§ 2-326 Bill for Services. It is a deceptive practice for a storage warehouse operator to: (a) fail to deliver a written bill within 5 business days after arrival of the consumer's goods at the warehouse and at least bi-monthly thereafter for any goods and services for which the storage warehouse operator imposes a charge; (b) collect or attempt to collect, without written consent from the consumer, any charge(s) not listed on the written estimate or the statement provided pursuant to 6 RCNY § 2-323 where a written estimate has not been provided, except in accordance with 6 RCNY § 2-326(d); (c) consistently underestimate the total charges listed in 6 RCNY § 2-321 "Written estimate" (d) increase the rate charged a consumer for monthly storage unless the consumer has been notified at least 60 days prior to the effective date of the rate increase. (Amended City Record 8/18/2026, eff. 9/17/2026)

6 RCNY § 2-327 Relocation of Household Goods.

§ 2-327 Relocation of Household Goods. (a) It is a deceptive practice for a storage warehouse operator or his authorized agent to move a consumer's goods from one location to another without informing the consumer of the reason for the move and the street address and borough of the new location. Such notice must be given at least 30 days prior to the move unless there is an emergency necessitating immediate removal of the goods to another location. In that event, notice shall be made as soon as practicable. (b) It is a deceptive practice for the storage warehouse operator to charge or attempt to charge the consumer any additional amount for transportation of the consumer's goods which has not been requested by the consumer, unless the storage warehouse shall have first given the consumer 60 days written notice of the amount of such charge prior to the date of such transportation. (c) In the event that a storage warehouse operator has transported a consumer's goods after being placed in storage from one location to another, where such transportation has not been requested by the consumer, any transportation charges for redelivery of the property from storage shall be determined as if the goods were being delivered out of the first location in which they were placed in storage. (Amended City Record 8/18/2026, eff. 9/17/2026)

6 RCNY § 2-328 Advertisements.

§ 2-328 Advertisements. (a) It is a deceptive practice for a storage warehouse operator to: (1) solicit storage of household goods in a name other than the name in which it is licensed by the Department of Consumer Affairs; (2) fail to include its Department of Consumer Affairs license number in its advertisements soliciting storage of household goods; (3) fail to include in display advertisements soliciting storage of household goods the name and address of each storage warehouse it operates in New York City where household goods are stored. (b) It is a deceptive practice for any person who is not a licensed warehouse operator to advertise, represent in any manner, or claim to operate a storage warehouse.

6 RCNY § 2-329 Insurance.

§ 2-329 Insurance. It is a deceptive practice for the storage warehouse operator to: (a) fail to provide without cost to the consumer legal liability coverage for loss or damage to the consumer's property caused by negligence, as defined in the UCC § 7-204. This coverage is to be provided at the minimum value of $0.30 per pound per item up to $2,000; (b) fail to inform a consumer that (s)he may purchase through the storage warehouse operator additional coverage to cover specific items or all of the household goods at additional cost.

6 RCNY § 2-330 Storage Contract.

§ 2-330 Storage Contract. It is an unconscionable practice for a storage warehouse operator to accept a consumer's household goods for storage without entering into a written storage contract with the consumer.

6 RCNY § 2-331 Access to Goods.

§ 2-331 Access to Goods. It is an unconscionable practice for a storage warehouse operator to refuse a consumer access to his/her stored household goods to retrieve needed medication or documents which are necessary to enable the consumer to apply for social welfare benefits or employment; or to charge a consumer more than the scheduled rate for access, which shall be based upon the hourly warehouse labor charge or rate.

6 RCNY § 2-332 General Release.

§ 2-332 General Release. It is an unconscionable practice for a storage warehouse operator to relinquish possession of a consumer's stored goods upon the condition that the consumer sign a general release or any other document of similar import, in which the consumer releases the warehouse operator from legal liability for negligent loss or damage to the household goods stored as a condition for regular delivery by the warehouse operator of the goods in the ordinary course of business. Nothing in this section shall prohibit a warehouse operator from securing a general release or other document of similar import where a consumer's personal property in storage has been removed from storage for the purposes of conducting a public sale of such personal property pursuant to the provisions of § 7-210 of the New York Uniform Commercial Code.

6 RCNY § 2-333 Sale of Consumer's Goods.

§ 2-333 Sale of Consumer's Goods. It is an unconscionable practice for a storage warehouse operator or his authorized agent to sell a consumer's stored goods in satisfaction of alleged charges owed by the consumer unless the consumer shall first be afforded notice and the opportunity for arbitration before the New York Better Business Bureau on the issues of: (a) nonpayment of the alleged charges owing; and (b) the amount of such alleged charges. This provision does not affect any other legal right that a consumer may have prior to sale of his/her stored goods.

6 RCNY § 2-334 Agents.

§ 2-334 Agents. (a) It is a deceptive practice for any person, firm or corporation to act as an agent for a licensed storage warehouse operator unless: (1) his/her principal is a licensed storage warehouse operator who has complied with all the requirements of Local Law 1 of the Laws of 1979 and these regulations; and (2) the consumer is informed that an agent in his/her capacity as agent prior to rendering any service in connection with a household goods storage transaction; and (3) all documents furnished to consumers by such agent shall bear the name of the principal for which the agent is functioning, indicating that the agent is in fact an agent of said principal; and (4) there is on file with the Commissioner an agency agreement, executed by both the licensed warehouse operator, as principal, and a Department of Transportation (D.O.T.) certificated mover, as agent, which shall contain the following information: (i) the name in which the principal is licensed, and his license number; (ii) the name of the agent and his D.O.T. license number; (iii) an undertaking by the principal that he will guarantee full compliance by the agent with Local Law 1 of the Laws of 1979 and any and all regulations promulgated thereunder; (iv) the principal place of business and home addresses and telephone numbers of the principal and agent; (v) an undertaking by the principal that he will be responsible for the filing of an amended agency agreement in the event that any of the information required to be contained in the original agreement should become inaccurate. (b) A licensed warehouse operator who permits an agent to act on his behalf in providing any storage service shall be fully liable for any and all of the actions of such agent. (c) It is a deceptive trade practice for any licensed warehouse operator to enter into an agency arrangement with a person, firm or corporation where there is any common ownership between the agent and the licensed warehouse operator.

Source: City of New York, Charter, Administrative Code and Rules (American Legal Publishing XML export, codelibrary.amlegal.com)URL: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/newyorkcity/latest/NYCrules/0-0-0-17514Fetched: 10/24/2026