Westchester County has announced that starting July 1, 2025, all HVAC professionals and power washing operators are required to obtain a license from the County’s Department of Consumer Protection. This change is part of a recent update to the Westchester Consumer Protection Code, which was passed by the Board of Legislators earlier this summer and signed into law in June.
Jenkins stated: “This law is about protecting Westchester families and ensuring that residents can trust the professionals working in and around their homes. By requiring HVAC and power washing contractors to be licensed, we’re holding businesses to a higher standard and giving consumers more peace of mind.”
Director of Consumer Protection Jim Maisano said: “These new legal requirements helps us prevent bad actors from taking unfair advantage of homeowners and gives our inspectors better tools to protect the rights of consumers.”
The updated legislation expands licensing requirements for home improvement contractors operating in Westchester County. Contractors must now follow procedures set forth in the Westchester County Consumer Protection Code, with details available on the Department’s website at https://consumer.westchestergov.com/. The changes are intended to improve service reliability and provide clear recourse for consumers if disputes arise.
In addition to expanded licensing, the overhaul introduces stricter enforcement standards against abusive or unfair contractor practices. Penalties for violations have also been increased. Municipal building departments are expected to support these efforts by ensuring permits are not issued to unlicensed contractors as specified under Article XVI of the code.
For questions regarding contractor licensing status within any municipality in Westchester County, residents are encouraged to contact the Department of Consumer Protection at (914) 995-2155.
