Does NYC's click-to-cancel rule apply to gyms, salons and studios that sign members up in person?
Quick answer
Yes. Since October 1, 2026, any business offering auto-renewing or continuous memberships to New York City consumers must let them cancel through every medium it accepts for sign-up. If a member joined in person, it must offer in-person cancellation where practical plus an online option such as a website or email (6 RCNY 5-110.1(d)). Fines start at $525.
What does the law say? Key facts and official sources
| Item | What the law says | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Rule | 6 RCNY 5-110.1, NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) | Official source |
| In force | October 1, 2026 | Official source |
| In-person sign-ups | In-person cancellation where practical, plus an online mechanism such as a website or email (5-110.1(d)) | Official source |
| Ease of cancelling | As easy as signing up and through the same medium (5-110.1(c)); no hanging up, false info or unreasonable delay (5-110.1(e)) | Official source |
| Fines | $525 first, $1,050 second, $3,500 third and later violations (6 RCNY 6-47) | Official source |
| Restitution | Charges made after the customer's first attempt to cancel must be repaid (5-110.2) | Official source |
| NY State health clubs | GBL 624: accept cancellation by website, email, phone, mail or in person (cited in DCWP gym letter) | Official source |
| Last verified | October 19, 2026 | Astor Ventures |
Does the rule cover gyms, salons and studios?
Yes, if they sell memberships or packages that renew automatically or keep billing until cancelled to New York City consumers. The rule applies to any person making such an offer; its exemptions (5-110.3) are franchise-based services, DFS-regulated entities, licensed alarm operators, banks and financial institutions, and service-contract sellers. There is no carve-out for fitness or beauty businesses.
What cancel options must an in-person business offer?
Every medium you accept for sign-up, at any time. For members who joined at the front desk, offer cancellation in person where practical and also online, for example a cancel page or an email address that accepts cancellations. DCWP's letter to gyms also cites New York State GBL 624, which requires health clubs to accept cancellation by website, email, telephone, mail or in person.
What does DCWP treat as blocking a cancellation?
Hanging up on callers, hiding or giving false cancel instructions, misstating the cost or effect of cancelling, misstating reasons for delays, and save offers that obstruct or unreasonably delay the cancellation (5-110.1(e)). Each can be a violation.
Want it done in an afternoon? The NYC click-to-cancel kit turns these rules into fill-in templates, a checklist and a tracker, with the official sources quoted. One-time payment, instant download.
What else do people ask?
Can a gym require a certified letter to cancel?
Not as the only route. For in-person sign-ups the city rule requires an online cancel option as well, and it bans unreasonable conditions on cancelling.
Can I still make a save offer?
Yes, as long as the offer does not impose unreasonable conditions, refuse to acknowledge, obstruct or unreasonably delay the cancellation (5-110.1(e)(2)).
What do I owe if I ignored a cancel request?
The amount charged after the customer's first attempt to cancel (5-110.2), on top of any civil penalty.
Is this legal advice?
No. General information only.