New York Scrap Metal Dealer Registration Requirements

New York regulates scrap metal dealers primarily at the county and municipal level. There is no single statewide scrap metal dealer registration — dealers must register in each county or municipality where they operate under varying local statutes. New York City has its own separate licensing regime that is more stringent than most upstate county requirements.

Statewide Framework

New York's General Business Law §§ 60-b through 60-e establishes baseline requirements for secondary metals recyclers statewide, including: seller ID collection requirements, 3-business-day payment hold for regulated metals, prohibition on cash payments for regulated metals, and transaction record retention for 3 years.

County Registration Requirements

County Type	Registration Body	Typical Fee
Most upstate counties	County Clerk or Sheriff	$50–$200/location
Erie County (Buffalo)	Erie County Clerk	$150/location
Monroe County (Rochester)	Monroe County Clerk	$100/location
Albany County	Albany County Sheriff	$75/location
New York City (5 boroughs)	NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection	$440 biennial

New York City Requirements

New York City requires a Secondhand Dealer General License from the NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP). Requirements: $440 biennial fee, fingerprint-based background check, documentation of business location compliance with zoning requirements, and registration with the NYPD Intelligence Bureau for transaction reporting. NYC dealers must submit all nonferrous metal transaction data to the NYPD's online reporting system within 24 hours.

New York Catalytic Converter Law (S8939-A, 2022)

New York's catalytic converter purchasing law applies statewide: seller photo ID, VIN of source vehicle, vehicle registration or title, photograph of converter and seller, no cash payment, and a 3-business-day hold. New York also prohibits purchasing catalytic converters from any seller who is not the registered owner of the source vehicle — a stricter ownership requirement than most states.

The Registered Owner Requirement

New York's requirement that the seller be the registered owner of the source vehicle — not just someone who claims to own it — is one of the most distinctive catalytic converter requirements in the nation. The seller's name must match the name on the vehicle registration you collect. A spouse, family member, or employee who is not the registered owner cannot legally sell a converter under New York law, even with the owner's permission.

Frequently Asked Questions

No — the NYC DCWP license is required only for businesses physically located within the five boroughs of New York City (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island). Westchester County, Nassau County, and other surrounding counties require registration with the county clerk or sheriff. If you purchase materials from sellers who come from NYC, your Westchester location is still Westchester-regulated.

This can occur when a vehicle was recently purchased (title transferred but registration not yet updated) or during estate administration. In these cases, require the seller to provide both the old registration and documentation showing the ownership transfer — such as a bill of sale or letters testamentary. When in doubt, decline the purchase. The registered owner requirement is strictly interpreted by New York enforcement agencies.

New York scrap metal requirements vary by county. Contact your specific county clerk or sheriff and, for NYC locations, the DCWP at nyc.gov/consumers. Not legal advice.