NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — In an effort to support the city's small businesses, Mayor Eric Adams announced Sunday reforms to 118 city regulations which will save businesses millions of dollars in fines per year.
The reforms come after Adams signed an executive order in January which requires city agencies to review existing business regulations and ensure local businesses face fewer needless fines and penalties without jeopardizing public health or safety.
"From the earliest days of my administration, I made clear that the city would be a partner to the small business community, which is the backbone of our economy," said Adams. "The reforms we are outlining are a direct result of us listening to nearly 1,000 small business owners and putting in place a plan of action to help fill their needs. Today, we are cutting red tape, reducing burdensome regulations, and saving our small businesses approximately $8.9 million — supercharging our recovery and paving the way for an equitable, five-borough economy."
The January executive order called on several city agencies including the Department of Buildings and FDNY to review business regulations aimed at reducing fine schedules and allowing cure periods or warnings for first-time violations.
Six regulatory agencies evaluated 227 violations with 30 violations eliminated altogether, fine reductions for 49 violations and cure periods and first-time warnings for 39 violations.
"Today, we are following through on our promise that New York City means business. We are making it clear that small businesses will be prioritized and supported because they create jobs and keep our neighborhoods and commercial corridors dynamic and vibrant," said Deputy Mayor for Economic and Workforce Development Maria Torres-Springer. "I am proud of the work our city agencies have done to advance these reforms and confident they will manifest into more jobs, more tax revenue, and more economic activity to spur our economic recovery."
Expected to be implemented by Dec. 31 of this year, the reforms are predicted to save small businesses about $8.9 million annually. Some examples of the newly announced reforms include:
-Introducing a cure period when a business fails to prominently and conspicuously display its price list – New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP).
-Introducing a universal 60-day cure period across all Class 2 "Major Violations" and Class 3 "Lesser Violations" related to small businesses – New York City Department of Buildings (DOB). These types of violations affect life, health, safety, property, or the public interest but do not require immediate corrective action.
-Removing the penalty for failure to maintain required bins for disposal of compostable straws in restaurants – New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY).
-Increasing time for restaurants to address maintenance and replacement issues with grease interceptors – New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).
-Reducing maximum fines for violations (currently $2,000) of time/temperature control for preparing foods safely – New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH).
-Eliminating violations for picture tubes (older TVs with cathode ray tubes) sold or offered for sale without proper label (DCWP).
-Eliminating the violation for a failure to conspicuously post electrical work permit while work is in progress – DOB; among others.
"Cutting red tape for small businesses will help so many communities grow and flourish," said John Jiang, president, New York Laundromat Business Association. "Every successful small business, whether it's a laundromat or a bodega, is a success for our city. By reducing fines and penalties, the mayor is giving all small businesses a leg up and a better shot at thriving."
