Business Licensing & Operations in Mount Vernon, NY (2026)
5 verified business licensing & operations rules for Mount Vernon, New York, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Adult Entertainment
Mount Vernon allows an adult entertainment store, live entertainment business or adult motion-picture theater only by special permit, capped at 5,000 square feet, one type per property, and kept at least 500 feet from any residential district, park, school, house of worship or day-care center, and 1,000 feet from any other such business.
Mount Vernon Adult Entertainment Zoning Rules
Significant RestrictionsCity of Mount Vernon Code § 267-32I
An adult entertainment store, adult live entertainment business or adult motion-picture theater may be established on a property by special permit subject to the following conditions: ... No one establishment may exceed more than 5,000 square feet of floor space. Floor space includes storage areas and other areas restricted to employees or owners only, but does not include spaces where human oc...
Massage Establishments
Mount Vernon's zoning code expressly prohibits any adult massage establishment, defining it as a fixed place of business offering massages, including massage parlors, sauna baths and steam baths, given normally for sexual stimulation, on the grounds that such businesses may encourage unlawful activity under New York Penal Law Article 230.
Mount Vernon Bans Adult Massage Establishments
Heavy RestrictionsCity of Mount Vernon Code § 267-4
Any establishment having a fixed place of business where massages are administered for pay, including but not limited to massage parlors, sauna baths and steam baths. These massages are normally given to provide sexual stimulation or satisfaction to paying customers. This definition shall not be construed to include such health-related facilities as a hospital, nursing home, medical clinic, hea...
Secondhand Dealers
Mount Vernon requires anyone who buys or sells secondhand articles, including junk shops, junkyards, scrap metal establishments and waste material handling plants, to hold a Mayor-issued license under City Code Chapter 157. Applicants need a Public Safety Department recommendation, fingerprint clearance, a $150 fee and a $5,000 bond before opening.
Secondhand Dealer Licensing in Mount Vernon, NY
Significant RestrictionsCity of Mount Vernon Code §§ 157-1 to 157-3
§ 157-1. License required. No person shall keep what are commonly called junk shops, nor collect, buy or sell... within the City, old junk, rags, cloth, paper, paper bagging, old rope, scrap metals, old iron, brass, copper, tin, lead, slush, empty bottles, old rubber products, old cable and wire or any other article whose condition renders it practically useless for the purpose for which it was...
Pawnbrokers
Anyone doing pawnbroker business in Mount Vernon needs a Mayor-issued license under City Code § 189-2, renewed every January 1 for $350, backed by a $15,000 surety bond. Operating unlicensed carries a $500-per-day penalty, and interest is capped at 3% per month for the first six months, 2% after.
Mount Vernon Pawnbroker Licensing
Significant RestrictionsCity of Mount Vernon Code § 189-3
The Mayor may, from time to time, grant to such persons as he shall deem proper and who shall produce to him satisfactory evidence of their good character a license authorizing such persons to carry on the business of pawnbroker... under a penalty of $500 for each day he or they shall exercise or carry on said business without such license or at any other premises than the one so designated. An...
Towing Companies
Mount Vernon requires anyone towing an unauthorized car from a private or public parking lot to hold a City towing permit, post a compliant sign, and use a City-licensed operator. Tow fees are capped at $65 for a first offense and $100 after that, storage tops out at $10 a day, and one- and two-family homes are exempt.
Mount Vernon Non-Consent Tow Rules For Lots
Some RestrictionsCity of Mount Vernon Code § 243-40
No person shall tow or cause to have towed an unauthorized motor vehicle from a private or public parking lot, as heretofore defined, unless the following requirements have been complied with: A. A towing permit shall have been obtained for the premises from the City Clerk and an annual fee of $100 paid to the City of Mount Vernon for each lot covered by the permit. ... (2) The towing fee to be...
Looking for Westchester County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Mount Vernon city rules.
Business Licensing & Operations in Westchester County →