A state lawmaker is trying to help out small business owners in Brooklyn who've been getting fined for their store signs.

The owners have been fined thousands of dollars after being told the signs went up without a proper permit.

Buildings officials say several anonymous complaints were made to 3-1-1 which triggered automatic inspections.

Store owners say they're surprised this is happening considering many of their signs have been up for years.

They're also angry that there's no exemption from the fine, even if they fix it.

Assemblyman Felix Ortiz hosted the owners in his office.

He says he's trying to figure out if there's anything that can be done legislatively to help them.

"I'm going to make sure that as I'm, in Albany today, I'm reading between the lines about the law and if we have to make changes at the state level in order to prevent the city government from continuing to do these practices, we will do so," Ortiz said.

Ortiz says he plans to hold another meeting like this one so more business owners are aware of their rights.