Inspection Checklist:

Car Washes
Do you or your business clean vehicles, including washing, detailing, drying, polishing, vacuuming, or other cosmetic
care of vehicles, either at a fixed location or as a mobile, on-demand, or “pop-up” service?

The following are exempt:

• Car washes that operate as an additional service to a main service; for example, an auto repair shop that
washes the cars it repairs.
• Self-service car washes, where customers—not facility employees—clean vehicles.
• Car washes that operate on an intermittent basis to raise funds for a not-for-profit organization.
• Car washes operated by a federal, state, or local governmental agency.

Use this checklist to learn what our inspectors look for and help avoid violations. All businesses also must
comply with the General Retail Inspection Checklist, which is included at the end for easy reference.

For your convenience, each Requirement includes the relevant section of law and/or rule, so you can refer to it
for more information. The KEY below describes the legal citations and symbols used in this checklist.

KEY
NYC Code: NYC Administrative Code
RCNY: Rules of the City of New York
§: Section

Requirement Do you meet this

requirement?
Licenses
1 Car washes, including mobile car washes, must have a valid DCWP Car Wash license. ☐ Yes
Tip: A mobile car wash is any individual, group of individuals, or business that provides
car washing services at a place other than the fixed business address of the car
wash. Each mobile car wash must have a Car Wash license.
NYC Code §20-541(a)
2 DCWP’s combined license and complaint sign must be posted where all customers can see it. ☐ Yes
Mobile car washes must conspicuously display the license or a copy of the license in
every vehicle used to provide mobile car washes while the services are being provided.
The license or copy of the license must be easy for someone outside the vehicle to see
either from the vehicle’s back window or the front windshield.
6 RCNY §1-03(a), 6 RCNY §2-434(d)
3 All printed matter that is given to customers (e.g., advertisements, business cards, flyers, ☐ Yes
receipts, contracts, correspondence) must have the license number and the license number
must be identified as a DCWP license number.
Tip: If your business has more than one DCWP license, printed matter must have all
DCWP license numbers.
6 RCNY §1-05

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Inspection Checklist:
Car Washes
Requirement Do you meet this
requirement?
Books and Records
4 You must keep an electronic log of complaints about damage to vehicles and payments ☐ Yes
to complainants.
Tip: You must maintain a log even if you do not receive any complaints about
vehicle damage.
Tip: The log must be maintained in English.
Tip: The log must be maintained in chronological order.
Tip: The records within the log must be maintained for three years and must be
available for inspection.
NYC Code §20-544; 6 RCNY §2-433
5 The log must include the following: ☐ Yes
• Date of complaint
• Date car wash received consumer complaint
• Name, address, phone number, and email address of complainant
• Make and model number of vehicle
• Date vehicle was washed
• Description of complaint
• If the complaint included photos or other documents
• Resolution of complaint, including amount of compensation and method of payment
• If available, name and address of insurance company or third party involved in
resolution and claim number
• Date of resolution
• Employee or manager who handled the complaint
• License plate number of all vehicles used to provide the mobile car wash services
that are the subject of the complaint
• Name of the operator of the vehicle used to provide the mobile car wash services
that are the subject of the complaint
6 RCNY §2-433

For more information: Visit nyc.gov/BusinessToolbox | Contact 311 (212) NEW-YORK (Outside NYC)

This document is provided for informational purposes only, is not exhaustive, and does not constitute legal advice.
New York City businesses must comply with all relevant federal, State, and City laws and rules. Businesses are
responsible for knowing and complying with current regulations that affect their business.

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Inspection Checklist:
General Retail
Does your business sell goods or services?

Use this checklist to learn what our inspectors look for and help avoid violations. For your convenience, each
Requirement includes the relevant section of law and/or rule, so you can refer to it for more information.
The KEY below describes the legal citations and symbols used in this checklist.

KEY
NYC Code: NYC Administrative Code
RCNY: Rules of the City of New York
NY GBL: NY General Business Law
§: Section

Requirement Do you meet this

requirement?
Price Lists for Services
1 A price list must be displayed and include the following: ☐ Yes
• List of the type of services
• Minimum price for each service
• Conditions or variations of service that change the minimum price
• Range of additional charges caused by conditions or variations
(e.g., $10 pants, $15 pants with pleats)
• (if the price is based on an hourly labor rate) Rate as dollars per hour
Tip: If the price list states a price “and up” or “from”—e.g., “$5 and up” or “from $5”—it
must also state the reason(s) for the different prices and include the range of prices.
6 RCNY §5-70(a)
2 The price list must be clearly posted or clearly displayed at the place(s) where payment is ☐ Yes
made (e.g., near the cash register) and/or where orders are placed.
6 RCNY §5-70(a)
3 If there is a sale or promotion, the pre-sale prices must also be posted. ☐ Yes
NYC Code §20-750(b)
4 Prices for services cannot be based on gender. ☐ Yes
Tip: Words like “men’s,” “women’s,” and “ladies’” cannot be used to describe the price.
NYC Code §20-750(c)
Pricing for Goods
5 All items offered for sale must show a price, exclusive of tax, as follows: ☐ Yes
• The price must be attached to the item by a stamp, tag, or label. OR
• The price must be stated on a sign that is plainly visible where the item is displayed.
NYC Code §20-708, NYC Code §20-708.1

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Inspection Checklist:
General Retail
Requirement Do you meet this
requirement?
6 If your store’s annual revenue is more than $2 million or you are a chain store, you must ☐ Yes
individually price each item, including food products, paper products, detergents, soaps,
nonprescription drugs, and health and beauty aids.
Exceptions:
• You do NOT need to individually price each item if you provide price scanners for
customer use that meet the following requirements:
− Price scanners are within 30 feet of an item OR there is a sign in view of the
item that says “A Price Scanner for Customer Use to Check Prices is Located
(indicate location).” AND
− The number of price scanners available to customers is based on the number of
checkout stations:
1 – 3 checkout stations = 1 or more price scanners
4 – 5 checkout stations = 2 or more price scanners
6 – 7 checkout stations = 3 or more price scanners
8 – 9 checkout stations = 4 or more price scanners
10 or more checkout stations = 5 or more price scanners
• The following items must be individually priced unless shelf prices and a price
look-up function are provided:
− Milk
− Items that are under 3 cubic inches in size, weigh less than 3 ounces,
and cost under 1 dollar
− Eggs
− Fresh produce not packaged for retail sale
− Products sold through a vending machine
− Food sold for consumption on the premises
− Snack foods offered for sale in single packages that weigh 5 ounces or less, e.g.,
cakes, gum, candies, chips, and nuts
− Cigarettes, cigars, tobacco, and tobacco products
− Food offered for sale in bulk
− Frozen juice
− Ice cream
− Frozen foods packaged for final retail sale in plastic bags
− Items on sale for 1 week or less, but only if they are located in a segregated
display at the end of the aisle and the sale period, name of the product, and the
advertised price are clearly posted on a sign at the point of display
− Jars of baby food
NYC Code §20-708.1(b), NYC Code §20-708.1(c)

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Inspection Checklist:
General Retail
Requirement Do you meet this
requirement?
Signs
7 Sale signs that advertise a price range or percent discount—example: “Savings of 20 to 50%” ☐ Yes
or “20% to 50% off”—must state the minimum and maximum percentages in equal size.

20–50% 20– 50%

OFF OFF
6 RCNY §5-94(a)(1)
8 Advertising, including sale signs, cannot contain any of the following phrases: ☐ Yes
• “Our list price”
• Below “manufacturer’s wholesale cost”
• “Manufacturer’s cost”
6 RCNY §5-101
9 Businesses that sell goods and services must post a refund policy sign. ☐ Yes
Tip: A refund policy sign must be posted at each register, point of sale, or entrance,
or attached to each item.
Tip: Even if the policy is not to give refunds, a sign must be posted stating “No Refunds.”
Tip: The sign must state that a written copy of the store’s refund policy is available
on request.
6 RCNY §5-37; NY GBL §218-a
10 The refund policy sign must state any and all conditions or limitations to getting a refund. ☐ Yes
For example, it must state:
• Any fees charged for refunds, such as “restocking fees”
• If a refund will not be provided for “as is” or “sale” items
• Whether the refund will be in cash, credit, or store credit only
• If proof of purchase is required for a refund
• If a refund will be provided at any time or within a specific period of time
6 RCNY §5-37; NY GBL §218-a
11 If there are limitations on using credit cards, such as minimum purchase amounts, the policy ☐ Yes
must be clearly posted at or near each entrance and in all advertising that indicates credit
cards are accepted.
6 RCNY §5-24(b)

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Inspection Checklist:
General Retail
Requirement Do you meet this
requirement?
Receipts
12 Receipts must be given to customers for purchases over $20 and upon request for ☐ Yes
purchases between $5 and $20.
Tip: This does not apply to food and drink that is meant to be consumed on the premises.
6 RCNY §5-32
13 The receipt must include each of the following: ☐ Yes
• Date of purchase
• Amount paid for each item
• Total amount paid
• Separate statement of tax
• Business name and address
6 RCNY §5-32(c)
14 Receipts for audio, photographic, and video equipment that cost more than $100 must also ☐ Yes
include the make and model number of the item.
6 RCNY §5-32(c)(5)
Price Accuracy
15 The price charged for an item at checkout, including scanned items, must not exceed the ☐ Yes
item’s tagged, stamped, or marked price, shelf price, sale price, or advertised price.
NYC Code §20-708.1(d), NYC Code §20-708.1(e)
16 Tax cannot be charged on tax-exempt items. ☐ Yes
Tip: Examples of tax-exempt items include but are not limited to: feminine hygiene
products, canned vegetables, baby food, clothing under $110, diapers,
nonprescription or over-the-counter drugs, contraceptives.
Tip: Check with the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance for a complete
list of which items are exempt.
6 RCNY §5-41

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Inspection Checklist:
General Retail
Requirement Do you meet this
requirement?
Layaway Plans
17 A “layaway plan” means a purchase over $50 where consumers agree to pay for the ☐ Yes
purchase in 4 or more installments before getting the merchandise. If a layaway plan is
offered, each of the following written disclosures must be provided to consumers prior to
accepting any payments:
• Description of the item, including name of manufacturer, brand name, color, size,
style, or model number
• Total cost of the item, including tax, installation, delivery, or freight charges
• Any charge to use layaway, including any service charge, carrying charge, or
cancellation fee
• Duration of the layaway plan
• Payment schedule and any consequences of missed payments
• Refund policy regarding the payments
• Notice of where the item is being stored, if other than the place of purchase, or if the
item will not be removed from inventory until additional payments are made:
Example 1: NOTICE: NO MERCHANDISE WILL BE REMOVED FROM INVENTORY
UNTIL X% OF THE PURCHASE PRICE HAS BEEN PAID.
Example 2: ATTENTION: YOUR SELECTION OF MERCHANDISE WILL NOT BE
ORDERED UNTIL YOU HAVE MADE YOUR NEXT TO FINAL PAYMENT.
6 RCNY §5-23; NY GBL §396-t
Expired Over-the-counter Medication
18 It is illegal to sell over-the-counter medication after the expiration date on the label. ☐ Yes
NYC Code §20-822(a)

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Inspection Checklist:
General Retail
Requirement Do you meet this
requirement?
Cash Payments
19 Your store cannot refuse to accept cash payments from consumers. ☐ Yes
Exceptions:
• Your store may refuse bills above $20.
• Your store may refuse cash payments for telephone, mail, or internet-based
transactions, unless the transaction takes place in the store.
• Your store may accept prepaid cards from an on-site device that converts cash into
prepaid cards, but only if:
− The device does not charge a fee for the prepaid card or require a minimum
deposit above $1.
− Upon request, the device provides the consumer with a receipt stating the amount
of cash the consumer deposited onto the prepaid card.
− Cash deposits onto the prepaid card do not expire.
− There is no limit on the number of transactions a consumer can complete with the
prepaid card.
You must clearly post a sign on or immediately next to the device when it is not working that
states your store is required to accept cash payments and consumers may report violations
by calling 311.
NYC Code §20-840
20 Your store cannot charge a consumer who pays in cash a higher price for the same “consumer ☐ Yes
commodity” than a consumer who pays by credit card or other cashless transaction.
Tip: “Consumer commodity” means any article, good, merchandise, product, or
commodity of any kind that is produced, distributed, or offered for retail sale.
NYC Code §20-840(c)

For more information: Visit nyc.gov/BusinessToolbox | Contact 311 (212) NEW-YORK (Outside NYC)

This document is provided for informational purposes only, is not exhaustive, and does not constitute legal advice.
New York City businesses must comply with all relevant federal, State, and City laws and rules. Businesses are
responsible for knowing and complying with current regulations that affect their business.

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