11 New Hempstead Road, New City, NY 10956
Telephone: (845) 638-5100
Fax: (845) 638-5675
Email: legclerk@co.rockland.ny.us

Rockland County Legislature Updates Home Improvement Contractors’ Law

The Rockland County Legislature voted to approve a major update to the county’s Home Improvement Contractors’ Law, updating regulations that have seen few significant changes since 1984. The overhaul aligns Rockland’s rules with those used in Westchester County and aims to streamline licensing and strengthen consumer protections.

“There has been a lot of misinformation circulating about this update, but the truth is simple: this law was adopted to make things better for both contractors and consumers,” Rockland County Legislature Chairman Jay Hood Jr. said. “It streamlines the licensing process, establishes clear timelines, strengthens protections for homeowners, and ensures qualified contractors can get to work without unnecessary delays."

Under the new law, home improvement contractors will still be required to hold a valid county license. However, the authority to grant or deny that license will shift from the Home Improvement Licensing Board to the Director of the Rockland County Office of Consumer Protection. The Licensing Board, which meets monthly and is composed of volunteer experts from various home improvement fields, will continue in an advisory role, offering guidance and recommendations to the Director.

The Legislature’s role under the new law remains unchanged as the body that hears appeals. The Legislature does not participate in granting, denying, suspending, or revoking licenses. It continues solely as the body that hears appeals from aggrieved parties and retains its existing authority to approve or reject proposed Rules and Regulations.

"Nothing in this law gives the Legislature new powers over licensing decisions, and the volunteer Board continues to play an important advisory role,” Rockland County Legislator Itamar Yeger said. “These changes modernize a system that hadn’t been updated in decades, making it fairer, faster, and more transparent for everyone involved.”

For the first time, the county must respond to licensing applications within 45 days. If the county fails to notify an applicant of missing paperwork or other issues regarding the application within that period, the license is automatically deemed approved. Any denial must include specific reasons and notice of the contractor’s right to appeal.

The law also enhances consumer protections by requiring general contractors to use only licensed and properly insured subcontractors; reaffirming that all contractors must carry liability insurance and NY state-required workers’ compensation and disability insurance, with suspension possible for noncompliance; and adding new violations for failing to meet contract standards, including providing written three‑day cancellation rights. Contractors who arrange financing for projects face new compliance rules.

Several measures will streamline the licensing process, including eliminating the decal requirement for personal vehicles, creating simplified licensing pathways, and allowing contractors licensed elsewhere for at least five years with no complaints to apply through an expedited process.

The new law requires a bond for contractors who use the simplified application pathway, providing financial protection for homeowners and ensuring work completion.

The update follows concerns raised by contractors who reported long delays and inconsistent outcomes in the current licensing process. It also responds to the top complaint made by homeowners – that they are out money because a job wasn’t completed or was done incorrectly.

As with any major update, adjustments and refinements may be made in the months ahead to ensure the law continues to work as intended for the entire community.

Rockland County, with an estimated 357,397 residents as of July 2025, currently has 2,844 licensed home improvement contractors, including landscapers, fence installers and excavators, who account for a significant number of license holders.

###