Business Licensing & Operations in Amherst, NY (2026)
4 verified business licensing & operations rules for Amherst, New York, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Adult Entertainment
Amherst permits sexually oriented businesses only where they meet locational standards in Zoning Ordinance § 6-6-2: none within 500 feet of most residential zoning districts, 1,000 feet of a school, church, day care, park or library, or 1,000 feet of another such business, and only one per lot. Operators must also register with the Town Clerk.
Amherst Sexually Oriented Business Spacing Rules
Significant RestrictionsAmherst Zoning Ordinance § 6-6-2
Sexually oriented media stores, sex shops, and other sexually oriented businesses to which this section may be applicable by cross-reference, shall be permitted uses in the zoning districts in which they are listed as such only if they also comply with the following locational standards: (1) No more than one of the uses governed by these provisions shall be permitted on any single lot in the To...
Massage Establishments
Amherst's Zoning Ordinance flatly prohibits any massage parlor, studio or establishment operated by a person who is not licensed by New York State as a massage therapist or medical practitioner. Section 6-6-9A(1) lists it among businesses specifically banned town-wide, regardless of zoning district.
Amherst Bans Unlicensed Massage Parlors
Heavy RestrictionsAmherst Zoning Ordinance § 6-6-9A(1)
Businesses Prohibited. A. The following businesses are specifically prohibited in the Town: (1) A massage parlor, studio or other establishment operated by a person who is not licensed by the State of New York as a massage therapist or as a medical practitioner;
Secondhand Dealers
Amherst's Secondhand Dealers law, Chapter 157, requires dealers in jewelry, diamonds, watches, rings, furs, gold, silver, plated ware, clothing, and tools to hold that merchandise 21 days from purchase before reselling it under § 157-2A. Goods already held 21 days by another authorized licensed dealer are exempt from a second holding period.
Amherst Secondhand Dealer Holding Period Law
Some RestrictionsAmherst Code § 157-2A
Every secondhand dealer in jewelry, diamonds, watches, rings, furs, gold, silver and plated ware shall hold said goods for a period of twenty one (21) days from the time of purchase and shall not resell the same until the expiration of said period. Every secondhand dealer in clothing and tools shall hold said goods for twenty one (21) days and shall not resell the same until the expiration of s...
Auto Repair on Residential Property
Amherst's zoning code flatly bans automobile and body/fender repair as a home occupation anywhere in town. Even an otherwise-legal Type 1 or Type 2 home business cannot include fixing cars, no matter how small the operation or how few customers visit.
Amherst Bans Home-Based Auto Repair
Heavy RestrictionsAmherst Code § 6-8-6(D)(1)
D. Prohibited Home Occupations. The following are prohibited as Home Occupations: (1) Automobile and/or body and fender repairing;
Looking for Erie County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Amherst city rules.
Business Licensing & Operations in Erie County →