Opening a business in Chemung County
The usual steps, in the order that saves the most trouble. Not every step applies to every business, and rules change: check with the office named in each step. Each fact links to its source.
Pick the legal form and register the name
A sole proprietor or partnership using a business name files an assumed name certificate (DBA) with the Chemung County Clerk: $26.65, on paper, in person or by mail, at 210 Lake St, Elmira (607-737-2920, Mon–Fri 8:30–4:30). source Corporations and LLCs file with the NYS Department of State instead; ask the SBDC (below) which form suits you.
Check the zoning before you sign a lease
Ask the town, village or city code office whether your use is allowed at that address and what approvals it needs (see “Who to call” below). In the City of Elmira the zoning ordinance isn’t online: call Code Enforcement, and file a Zoning Compliance Application. source Bigger projects may also go to the County Planning Board, which reviews them monthly. source
Building permit and certificate of occupancy
Work on the space needs a building permit; a new use or tenant needs a certificate of occupancy before you open. In the City of Elmira you can’t occupy the space until the CO is issued, and inspections need 48 hours’ notice. source
Food? Apply to the county health department 21 days ahead
Restaurants, cafés, food trucks and caterers need a Chemung County food service permit: the application is due at least 21 days before opening (10 days for a temporary event permit), with proof of workers’ compensation and disability insurance. Call Environmental Health first, at 103 Washington St, (607) 737-2019; a sanitarian is assigned to you. source
Selling taxable goods or services? Get a sales tax Certificate of Authority 20 days ahead
Apply online (NY Business Express) at least 20 days before your first taxable sale; you can’t make taxable sales until it arrives. source
Serving alcohol? Notify the municipality 30 days before applying to the SLA
An on-premises liquor license starts with a notice to the city, town or village clerk at least 30 days before you file with the State Liquor Authority, on the SLA’s standard notice form. source
Get free help
The Southern Tier Small Business Development Center gives free, confidential advising (607-777-4024), and SCORE offers free mentors. STEG and the Chemung County IDA handle financing and incentives. See the list below.
Who to call in your town
Zoning, building permits and certificates of occupancy are handled by the city, town or village where the business is. Not sure which one? Look up the address: the report names the municipality.
| Municipality | Code and permits office | Hours | Zoning and codes |
|---|---|---|---|
| City of Elmira | Code Enforcement, 101 W 2nd St (607) 737-5654 |
Permits are issued 8–10 am and 3–3:35 pm, Mon–Fri | Code office · Forms · Zoning |
| Town of Elmira | Town Hall and code office, 1255 W Water St (607) 734-2031 |
Code office · Town code | |
| Town of Horseheads | Code Enforcement, 150 Wygant Rd (607) 739-7605 |
Mon–Fri 8–4; permits 8–10 am and 3–3:45 pm, or by appointment | Code office · Forms · Zoning |
| Village of Horseheads | See the Town of Horseheads | Website | |
| Village of Elmira Heights | Building & Code Enforcement, 215 Elmwood Ave (607) 734-7156 |
Code office · Forms · Zoning · Town code | |
| Town of Big Flats | Planning & Code Enforcement, 476 Maple St (607) 562-8443 ext. 205 |
Mon–Fri 8–4 | Code office · Zoning |
| Town of Southport | Code Enforcement, 1139 Pennsylvania Ave, Elmira (607) 737-5268, option 3 |
Hours change with the season; call ahead | Code office · Town code |
| Town of Ashland | Town Hall, 3663 Sixth St, Wellsburg | ||
| Village of Wellsburg | See the Town of Ashland | ||
| Town of Baldwin | See the website | Code office | |
| Town of Catlin | Town office (code) (607) 739-5598 ext. 5 |
Building permits Wed–Thu 9–11 am | Zoning |
| Town of Chemung | Code Enforcement (607) 529-3532 ext. 3 |
Code office · Zoning · Town code | |
| Town of Erin | Code enforcement (shared with the City of Elmira) (607) 739-8681 ext. 6 |
By appointment | Code office |
| Town of Van Etten | Town Clerk, 6 Gee St (607) 589-4435 |
Code office | |
| Town of Veteran | Town office, 4049 Watkins Rd, Millport (607) 739-1476 |
Code officer: Mondays 1:30–4:30 pm, (607) 742-9645 | Code office · Zoning |
| Village of Millport | See the Town of Veteran |
Free help
- Southern Tier Small Business Development Center (SBDC): Free, confidential one-on-one advising for new and existing businesses in 12 counties, including Chemung. 607-777-4024.
- SCORE Western New York: Free mentoring by experienced business people; covers the Southern Tier.
- Southern Tier Economic Growth (STEG): The county’s economic development agency: sites and buildings, financing and incentives; administers the Chemung County IDA. 607-733-6513.
- Chemung County Chamber of Commerce: Business advocacy, networking, a member directory and Certificate of Origin service for exporters.
- Elmira Downtown Development: Downtown Elmira: matching façade grants (up to $2,000) and sign and awning grants (up to $500), after a consultation. (607) 333-5378.
- CSS Workforce NY: Helps businesses in Chemung, Schuyler and Steuben find workers and training funding. (607) 937-8337.
- SUNY Corning Community College workforce training: Customized training for employers at the company or at college sites in Corning, Horseheads and Elmira. 607-936-5501.
Found something out of date? Tell us. This guide is general information, not legal advice.