Some license fees for doing business in Suffolk could double under new bill

Home improvement contractors, commercial painters, electricians and other specialized occupations in Suffolk County will pay higher licensing application fees — in some cases double — starting in 2026 under proposed legislation.

The fees "have not increased in many years," and the county’s cost to review applications "is not reflective of the administrative costs," according to the bill. The increase varies by the type of license with some increasing as high as $50 more for one year or $100 more for a two-year renewal, according to the bill.

Legis. James Mazzarella (R-Moriches) said the bill will be subject to a public hearing at the Dec. 16 general meeting in Hauppauge. Lawmakers could vote to approve the bill at the same meeting.

The bill was briefly discussed Wednesday at the legislature’s Labor & Consumer Affairs Committee where it was introduced.

James Andrews, administrative director for the county’s Division of Consumer Affairs, said during the committee meeting that the increases would bring the county in line with neighboring counties like Nassau and Westchester.

He said some of the licensing fees have remained unchanged since 1975.

"As we all know costs go up, salaries go up, it’s very hard to retain staff, so we are looking to increase the fees to become closer and more in line with our counterparts to the west," he said. "We’re not looking to get rich."

Under the bill, an annual license for a commercial and industrial painter’s license would increase from $20 to $50; a home furnishing dealers license would increase annually from $200 to $250; a pool maintenance business license would increase annually from $100 to $200 and an initial pet groomer application would increase from $25 to $50.

The county this year has sought to increase several fines and fees, including penalties against unscrupulous home contractors and board-up businesses that respond to fire scenes.

Mazzarella, the chairman of the Labor & Consumer Affairs Committee, said in an interview with Newsday many of the county’s fines and fees "have just been kind of ignored for quite a long time."

"So you don’t want to get to the point where you don’t have to do these tremendous increases," he said. "You really should try to keep them level."

The licenses are renewed annually or every other year, Mazzarella said. The Division of Consumer Affairs reviews the applications to ensure applicants have "proper experience" and "necessary insurance," according to the bill.

Mazzarella said lawmakers have not received any negative feedback from the industry while crafting the bill. At the committee's Nov. 19 meeting, Kevin Schrage, a licensed electrician, urged the county to be more proactive with renewal reminders. He suggested Consumer Affairs send paper reminders in addition to emails. 

Mazzarella said the county may look to see if there is a need to add additional reminders.

By Joe Werkmeister

joe.werkmeister@newsday.com

Joe Werkmeister joined Newsday in 2022 and covers Suffolk County government and politics. He is a graduate of St. Bonaventure University and previously worked as the editor of two North Fork community newspapers.

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