New HVAC And Power Washer Licensing Rules Are In Effect In Westchester County

Press release from the Westchester County Government:

HVAC and Power Washing Professionals Now Required to be Licensed as of July 1, 2025

Westchester County is reminding local businesses and contractors that as of the first week of July 2025, all HVAC professionals and power washing operators must also be licensed through the County’s Department of Consumer Protection. The requirement is part of a broader update to Westchester’s Consumer Protection Code, passed earlier this summer, aimed at increasing accountability and protecting residents from fraudulent and unqualified service providers.

Jenkins said: “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 new legislation, passed unanimously by the Westchester County Board of Legislators and signed into law in June by Jenkins, strengthens consumer protections by expanding the County’s licensing requirements, including HVAC and power washing services. To operate legally in Westchester County, all Home Improvement Contractors must complete the licensing process as set forth in the Westchester County Consumer Protection Code, and the necessary requirements can be found on the Department’s website: Consumer.WestchesterGov.com. These measures are designed to ensure a safe and reliable service, while also providing recourse for consumers in the event of disputes.

The licensing requirement is part of a larger overhaul of Westchester’s Consumer Protection Code, which also includes enhanced enforcement through stronger legal standards to combat abusive and unfair actions by contractors, as well as increased penalties to hold contractors accountable for law violations. As always, the County greatly appreciates the assistance of municipal building departments and officials in enforcing this law by ensuring no permits are issued to unlicensed contractors as outlined in Article XVI of the Consumer Protection Code.

If you have questions about the licensing status of a contractor working in your municipality, please contact the Department of Consumer Protection at (914) 995-2155 or conpro@westchestercountyny.govconpro@westchestercountyny.gov

This press release was produced by the Westchester County Government. The views expressed here are the author’s own.