City Gets Updated 'Business Bill of Rights'

Harried business owners of the five boroughs, you can breath a tiny sigh of relief. 

Last week, Mayor Michael Bloomberg signed legislation spearheaded by City Councilwoman Karen Koslowitz, D-Forest Hills, designed to help business owners make sense of the city's many regulations. 

The legislation is an updated "Business Bill of Rights" for New York City, which is designed to help business owners protect themselves from overzealous city inspectors.

Specifically, the new bill makes it mandatory for inspectors to hand-deliver information on violations and redresses prior to inspections so owners know how to prepare or respond.

“This is common sense,” Koslowitz said. “When owners are issued a document stating their rights at the time of the inspection this will ensure a fair inspection process. Making things easier for our business owners is integral to building a diverse and thriving economy.”

Koslowitz is the chair of the city council's economic development committee.