Electronics Stores and Electronic or Home Appliance Service Dealers

NYC Admin. Code tit. 20, ch. 2, subch. 24

in effect

NYC Admin. Code § 20-410 Legislative declaration.

§ 20-410 Legislative declaration. It is hereby declared that the business of servicing electronic or home appliances has become the subject of great abuse. The public has been and is unprotected from unethical and financially unstable service dealers. The necessity for legislative intervention to protect the public and legitimate service dealers is hereby declared as a matter of legislative determination. Editor's note: For related unconsolidated provisions, see Appendix A at L.L. 1992/039.

NYC Admin. Code § 20-411 Definitions.

§ 20-411 Definitions. As used in this subchapter, the following terms have the following meanings: Audio equipment. The term “audio equipment” means any apparatus or equipment that is used for sound reproduction, including but not limited to amplifiers, phonographs, radios, receivers, speakers, compact disc players, tape players, tape recorders, and turntables. The term does not include prerecorded or blank audio recording tapes or records. Complainant. The term “complainant” means the customer of an electronics store or service dealer who has complained concerning an alleged violation of this subchapter, any rule promulgated pursuant thereto, or any practice engaged in by an electronics store or any of such store’s employees, or a service dealer or any of such dealer’s employees. Computer equipment. The term “computer equipment” means computers, word processors and any apparatus or equipment that is used for computing or word processing, including but not limited to printers, modems, monitors, keyboards, disk drives, and peripherals. The term does not include disks, diskettes, or computer paper. Display space. The term “display space” means the area of a retail establishment in which merchandise is publicly displayed and offered for sale and which is generally accessible to customers. Electronic goods. The term “electronic goods” means any of the following types of merchandise: 1. Audio equipment; 2. Calculators; 3. Photographic equipment; 4. Video equipment; or 5. Computer equipment. Electronic or home appliance. The term “electronic or home appliance” means any electronic goods, or any appliance, that is commonly used in a household, including, but not limited to, televisions, radios, stereo systems, compact disc players, home computer systems, tablet computers, video game systems, telephones, telephone answering machines, satellite dishes, cameras, calculators, video recorders or players, camcorders or other portable video recording devices, cassette recorders or players, facsimile machines, portable photocopiers, air conditioners, clothes washing machines, clothes dryers, dishwashers, food freezers, refrigerators, stoves, ranges, ovens, microwave ovens, or sewing machines. Electronics store. The term “electronics store” means a commercial establishment that sells or offers for sale to the public electronic goods. Person. The term “person” means an individual, firm, partnership, trust, association, corporation, limited liability company, or other similar business organization. Photographic equipment. The term “photographic equipment” means any apparatus or equipment that is used for the taking, developing, or enlarging of photographs or moving pictures, including but not limited to cameras, video cameras, camera cases, lenses, tripods, and developing equipment. The term does not include film or film processing. Repair service or repair servicing. The terms “repair service” and “repair servicing” mean the installation, maintenance, repair, replacement, testing, inspection, or modification for compensation, for other consideration, or under a warranty, of electronic goods or electronic or home appliances. Service dealer. The term “service dealer” means a person who within the city of New York: 1. Advertises that such person performs repair service on electronic goods, or electronic or home appliances, or makes public statements reasonably calculated to lead an ordinary consumer to believe that such person performs such repair service; 2. Solicits or bills a customer for repair service on electronic goods, or electronic or home appliances; 3. Sells service contracts or maintenance agreements for the performance of repair service on electronic goods, or electronic or home appliances and accepts requests for such repair service under such service contracts or maintenance agreements; 4. Accepts requests for repair service or receives electronic goods or electronic or home appliances for the performance of repair service; or 5. Provides, as part of a sales transaction, repair service, including repair service performed by the seller, subcontractor, or other service repairer, provided that the term “service dealer” includes a manufacturer of electronic goods or electronic or home appliances only when such manufacturer acting as a retailer engages in any of the activities described in this definition. Service repairer. The term “service repairer” means a person who performs repair service on electronic goods or electronic or home appliances. Video equipment. The term “video equipment” means televisions and any apparatus or equipment used in the process of producing images on a television set or electronic viewing screen, including but not limited to video disc players, video game units or consoles, video players and video recorders. The term does not include prerecorded video discs and tapes, blank video tapes, or video game cartridges or discs. (Am. L.L. 2025/183, 12/12/2025, eff. 9/8/2026) Editor's note: For related unconsolidated provisions, see Appendix A at L.L. 1992/039 and L.L. 2025/183.

NYC Admin. Code § 20-412 License required.

§ 20-412 License required. a. No person shall maintain or operate an electronics store unless duly licensed pursuant to this subchapter. b. No person shall claim or advertise to be, or engage in business as, a service dealer, unless duly licensed pursuant to this subchapter. c. Notwithstanding subdivisions a and b of this section, a person that maintains or operates an electronics store and claims or advertises to be, or engages in business as, a service dealer shall be required to obtain only the license required by such subdivision a or such subdivision b. (Am. L.L. 2025/183, 12/12/2025, eff. 9/8/2026) Editor's note: For related unconsolidated provisions, see Appendix A at L.L. 1992/039 and L.L. 2025/183.

NYC Admin. Code § 20-413 Licenses generally.

§ 20-413 Licenses generally. No license shall be issued or renewed unless the applicant or licensee is of good moral character and complies with all requirements governing the operation of the affected business which the commissioner prescribes by regulation.

NYC Admin. Code § 20-414 Fees.

§ 20-414 Fees. The biennial fee for a license or a renewal thereof shall be three hundred and forty dollars. Editor's note: For related unconsolidated provisions, see Appendix A at L.L. 1992/039.

NYC Admin. Code § 20-415 Penalties.

§ 20-415 Penalties. a. Any person who violates any provision of this subchapter or any rules promulgated pursuant to this subchapter shall be subject to a civil penalty of: (i) not more than $175 for the first violation; (ii) not more than $300 for the second violation; and (iii) not more than $500 for the third and any subsequent violation. b. Notwithstanding subdivision a of this section, a person shall be subject to a civil penalty of zero dollars for a first violation of subdivision a, b, c, or i of section 20-417 of this subchapter or any rule or regulation promulgated thereunder if such person proves to the satisfaction of the department, within 30 days of the issuance of the notice of violation and prior to the commencement of an adjudication of the violation, that the violation has been cured. The submission of proof of a cure, if accepted by the department as proof that the violation has been cured, shall be deemed an admission of liability for all purposes. The option of presenting proof that the violation has been cured shall be offered as part of any settlement offer made by the department to a person who has received, for the first time, a notice of violation of subdivision a, b, c, or i of section 20-417 of this subchapter or any rule or regulation promulgated thereunder. The department shall permit such proof to be submitted electronically or in person. A person may seek review, in the office of administrative trials and hearings or an applicable tribunal in accordance with subdivision h of section 2203 of the charter, of the determination that the person has not submitted proof of a cure within 15 days of receiving written notification of such determination. c. Notwithstanding subdivision a of this section, the civil penalty for a violation of subdivision j of section 20-417 or any rule promulgated pursuant thereto shall be not more than $500. d. Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, a person shall be subject to a civil penalty of zero dollars for a first violation of subdivision c of section 20-417 or any rule or regulation promulgated thereunder. The notice of violation for such first-time violation shall inform the respondent of the provision of law or rule that the department believes the respondent has violated, describe the condition or activity that is the basis for the notice of violation, and advise the respondent that the law authorizes civil penalties for such violation and that subsequent violations may result in the imposition of such civil penalties. Any person who violates subdivision c of section 20-417 or any rule or regulation promulgated thereunder shall be subject to a civil penalty of $175 for a second violation and a civil penalty of $300 for a third or subsequent violation. (L.L. 2021/080, 7/18/2021, eff. 11/15/2021; Am. L.L. 2025/183, 12/12/2025, eff. 9/8/2026) Editor's note: For related unconsolidated provisions, see Appendix A at L.L. 2021/080 and L.L. 2025/183.

NYC Admin. Code § 20-416 Transferability.

§ 20-416 Transferability. No license issued under this subchapter shall be transferred or assigned to any person or used by any person other than the licensee to whom it was issued. (L.L. 2025/183, 12/12/2025, eff. 9/8/2026) Editor's note: For related unconsolidated provisions, see Appendix A at L.L. 1992/039 and L.L. 2025/183.

NYC Admin. Code § 20-417 Duties of licensees.

§ 20-417 Duties of licensees. a. Posting of license. Every person licensed under this subchapter shall conspicuously post such person’s license in the licensee’s place of business. b. Display of selling price. 1. All merchandise sold, exposed for sale, or offered for sale at retail by a person licensed under this subchapter shall have conspicuously displayed, at the point of exposure or offering for sale, the total selling price exclusive of tax by means of a stamp, tag, or label attached to the item, or a sign at the point of display which indicates the item to which the price refers. Such information shall be plainly visible without the assistance of store personnel. 2. The required described in paragraph 1 of this subdivision does not apply to merchandise displayed in a store window. c Receipts. A person licensed under this subchapter shall provide a receipt for every retail purchase if the amount of such purchase is $20 or more. Such person must provide a receipt upon request for any retail purchase if the amount of such purchase is between $5 and $20. Such receipt shall contain: 1. The amount of money paid for each item; 2. The total amount of money paid in the transaction, including a separate statement of tax; 3. The date of the purchase; 4. The name and address of the electronics store as listed on the license; 5. The license number of the licensee; and 6. A full description of each item purchased, including the type, color, and size; the style or model number and year; and the brand name and manufacturer's name. d. Invoice. All work done by a service dealer shall be recorded on an invoice which shall contain the license number and such other detail as may be required by rules promulgated by the commissioner. The invoice shall fully, separately and clearly describe all service work performed, all parts supplied, the date or dates thereof, and all charges made and the computations thereof. One copy of the invoice shall be delivered to the customer and one copy shall be retained by the service dealer for a period of at least three years from the date of such delivery. e. Replaced parts. A service dealer shall return all replaced parts to the customer, except such parts as may be exempted from this requirement by regulations of the commissioner and except such parts as the service dealer requires for return to the manufacturer or distributor under a warranty arrangement. f. Estimates. A service dealer shall comply with regulations promulgated by the commissioner setting forth requirements for estimates or the making of such estimates and shall inform the customer as to the cost thereof prior to rendering same. g. Remuneration of employees. A service dealer shall not make the remuneration, salary, wage, or other compensation of any employee, partner, officer or member contingent or dependent upon, or in any manner determined by the value, price, quantity or type of parts replaced, upon any apparatus serviced or repaired by any person required to be licensed by this subchapter. h. Informational signage. A service dealer shall display in the area where electronic and home appliances are accepted for repair a sign that contains the identity of the service dealer, informs the customer of the customer's right to a written estimate of all repairs and indicates that no repair work may be done without the customer's authorization, in addition to any other information required by the commissioner. The commissioner shall promulgate such rules as the commissioner determines necessary and appropriate for the proper implementation and enforcement of this subdivision. i. Insurance. A service dealer shall at all times carry insurance which in the opinion of the commissioner is adequate to protect the public. The commissioner shall promulgate such rules as the commissioner determines necessary and appropriate for the proper implementation and enforcement of this subdivision. j. Records. Every person licensed to maintain or operate an electronics store, or to engage in business as a service dealer, shall maintain such records, ledgers, receipts, bills, and such other written records as the commissioner may prescribe by rule. Such records shall be made available for inspection by the commissioner upon request at either the licensee’s place of business or at the offices of the department, in accordance with applicable law and rules and with appropriate notice. (Am. L.L. 2021/080, 7/18/2021, eff. 11/15/2021; Am. L.L. 2025/183, 12/12/2025, eff. 9/8/2026) Editor's note: For related unconsolidated provisions, see Appendix A at L.L. 2021/080 and L.L. 2025/183.

NYC Admin. Code § 20-418 Regulations.

§ 20-418 Regulations. The commissioner shall make such regulations as deemed necessary for the proper implementation and enforcement of this subchapter.

NYC Admin. Code § 20-419 License denial; right to hearing.

§ 20-419 License denial; right to hearing. No license may be denied for failure to meet any requirement established by this subchapter or by the commissioner without a hearing. Editor's note: For related unconsolidated provisions, see Appendix A at L.L. 1992/039.

NYC Admin. Code § 20-420 Issuance, renewal, revocation and suspension of license; fines.

§ 20-420 Issuance, renewal, revocation and suspension of license; fines. In addition to any powers of the commissioner, and not in limitation thereof, a license required pursuant to this subchapter may be suspended or revoked or issuance or renewal thereof denied by the commissioner, and the licensee may be fined pursuant to subdivision e of section 20-104 of chapter one of this title, upon a determination made by the commissioner or the commissioner's designee after due notice and hearing, that an applicant or a licensee, any of its principals, officers or directors, or any of its stockholders owning more than ten percent of the outstanding stock of the corporation: (a) has practiced fraud or misrepresentation upon a customer; (b) has practiced fraud or misrepresentation in establishing his or her qualifications for a license under this subchapter; (c) has aided or abetted another in practicing fraud or misrepresentation upon a customer or in establishing qualifications for a license under this subchapter; (d) has engaged in or has aided or abetted another in engaging in untrue, misleading or deceptive advertising, or unlawful selling practices as defined by the laws of this state, municipality or other local governmental unit within which such advertising or practices occurred; (e) is incompetent or untrustworthy and is thereby unfit to discharge the responsibilities of a licensee; (f) has failed upon request to render to the customer an itemized bill, in writing, containing such details as may be required by the rules of the department; (g) has been convicted of a crime which, in the judgment of the commissioner, has a direct relationship to such person's fitness or ability to perform any of the activities for which a license is required under this subchapter or has been convicted of any other crime which, in accordance with article twenty-three-a of the correction law, would provide a justification for the commissioner to refuse to issue or renew, or to suspend or revoke, such license; (h) has violated any of the provisions of this title, subchapter or the rules promulgated thereunder, or has knowingly caused, permitted, aided or abetted another in committing such violation. Editor's note: For related unconsolidated provisions, see Appendix A at L.L. 1992/039.

NYC Admin. Code § 20-421 Informal adjustment of complaints.

§ 20-421 Informal adjustment of complaints. 1. The commissioner shall receive complaints from the public against any person issued a license pursuant to this subchapter. 2. The commissioner shall make a summary investigation of the facts. 3. After investigation, the commissioner may advise the licensee of the contents of the complaint and may recommend measures that would compensate the complainant for any damages suffered as a result of the conduct of the licensee or make recommendations which otherwise may reasonably dispose of the complaint. If the licensee accepts the commissioner's recommendations and performs accordingly, such fact shall be given due consideration in any subsequent disciplinary proceedings instituted by the commissioner. If the licensee declines to accept the recommendations of the commissioner and to perform accordingly, the commissioner may investigate further or may institute a departmental hearing with respect to the complaint, and may thereafter require the licensee to make proper restitution to the complainant and may also take such disciplinary action as provided in this subchapter. 4. If the licensee accepts the recommendations of the commissioner and is willing to perform accordingly, but the complainant refuses to accept such recommendations, the commissioner shall not be required to take further action with respect to the complaint. Editor's note: For related unconsolidated provisions, see Appendix A at L.L. 1992/039.

NYC Admin. Code § 20-422 Powers and duties of the commissioner.

§ 20-422 Powers and duties of the commissioner. a. In addition to any other powers of the commissioner, and not in limitation thereof, the commissioner shall have the power to enforce the provisions of this subchapter, to investigate any violation thereof, and to investigate the business, business practices and business methods of any person who is or may be subject to this subchapter, if in the opinion of the commissioner, such investigation is warranted. Each person shall be obliged upon the request of the commissioner, to supply such information as may be required concerning the business, business practices or business methods or the proposed business practices or business methods. b. For the purpose of enforcing the provisions of this subchapter and in conducting investigations relating to any violation thereof, and for the purpose of investigating the character, competence and integrity of any person who is or may be subject to this subchapter, and the business, business practices and business methods thereof, the commissioner, or commissioner's designee shall have the power to compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of books and records, in accordance with the provisions of the civil practice law and rules. However, no information supplied by any person at the request of the commissioner concerning his or her business, business practices or business methods, or proposed business practices or methods shall be disclosed, except as may be necessary for the purpose of enforcing the provisions of this subchapter. c. The commissioner may establish and properly equip an electronic or home appliance laboratory for the purpose of testing the competence and integrity of licensed service dealers, whenever complaints against such licensees would indicate the necessity or advisability for such testing, and such laboratory may be further used in the necessary investigations that may be conducted by the commissioner in connection with the proper administration and enforcement of the provisions of this subchapter and the rules adopted thereunder. d. The commissioner shall have the authority to enforce the provisions of this subchapter and chapter 1 of this title with respect to all sales and advertising activities of an electronics store, including such activities not relating to electronic goods or to merchandise described in any rules of the commissioner promulgated under this subchapter. (Am. L.L. 2025/183, 12/12/2025, eff. 9/8/2026) Editor's note: For related unconsolidated provisions, see Appendix A at L.L. 1992/039 and L.L. 2025/183.

NYC Admin. Code § 20-423 Review.

§ 20-423 Review. The provisions of article seventy-eight of the civil practice law and rules shall be applicable to this subchapter.

NYC Admin. Code § 20-424 Exceptions.

§ 20-424 Exceptions. This subchapter shall not apply to any of the following: 1. the government of the United States or any department or agency thereof; 2. any school, public or private, offering as part of a vocational education program, courses and training in repair service and the instructors and teachers thereof; provided the exclusion granted herein shall be applicable only to repair service rendered in and as part of a regularly constituted vocational education program and when such repair service is not offered to the public for compensation or other consideration; 3. any store that does not provide repair services and that uses less than 20 percent of its display space, as measured by linear feet and not by square feet, for the display of electronic goods; or 4. any store that does not provide repair services and that displays fewer than 30 items that are electronic goods in its display space. (Am. L.L. 2025/183, 12/12/2025, eff. 9/8/2026) Editor's note: For related unconsolidated provisions, see Appendix A at L.L. 1992/039 and L.L. 2025/183.

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/NYCadmin/0-0-0-235698Fetched: 10/24/2026