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With numerous city and state rules and regulations it can be difficult to understand which permits or licenses you need to start your business. The Department of Small Business Services (SBS) is available to answer your questions:
- Which permits do I need?
- Which agency or agencies provide these permits?
- What information do I need to provide?
- Do I need permits from more than one agency, from both the City and State?
Tips on Applying for Permits
- Start Early.
Prepare your application well in advance of the date you wish to start any
activity that may require a license; it can take time to get a license
approved, especially if you need a permit that requires inspections or
approval from multiple city departments (e.g., Consumer Affairs, Buildings,
Fire, or Transportation) or qualifying exams.
- Take Steps in the Right Order. Knowing what is required to obtain the permit will save you
time and aggravation. For example, know what documents you will need to submit
with the application and prepare them in advance. If the permit you need
requires multiple agency approval or both City and State approval, you should
get them in the order indicated.
- Know the Rules. It is not enough to get a permit. You need to be informed about what you can and cannot do under the regulation or law because, even if you don't know the rules, inspectors do. If you have questions, call the relevant agency and ask. Don't ignore fines. Seek help.
These are the key agencies that issue permits. For more detailed information, use the websites or phone numbers provided.
| Licensing Agency |
General Business Activities |
|
Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA)
Address: 42 Broadway, 5th Floor New York, NY 10004
Phone: 311 or 212-New-York outside of New York City
Website: http://www.nyc.gov/consumers |
Issues licenses/permits for most retail activities and other common business activities, including cabarets, debt collection agencies, cigarettes, electronics, employment agencies, garages, home improvement contractors, stoop-line stands, sightseeing buses, street fairs/general vending (non-food), tow-truck companies, laundromats, locksmiths, motion pictures, newsstands, and much more. |
Department of Health (DOH)
Address: 125 Worth Street New York, NY 10013
Phone: 311 or 212-New-York outside of New York City
Website: http://www.nyc.gov/health |
Issues licenses/permits for restaurant and food establishments, mobile food vendors, tattoo and funeral parlors, manufacturers of ice cream, groomers of small animals, users of insecticides, and much more. |
Department of Buildings (DOB)
Address: 60 Hudson Street New York, NY 10013
Phone: 311 or 212-New-York outside of New York City
Website: http://www.nyc.gov/buildings |
Issues licenses/permits for construction-related trades, such as licensed electricians and plumbers, cranes, derricks, hoists and riggings, as well as for maintenance and repair of boilers and elevators, store alternations and certificates of occupancy. DOB also issues Certificates of Occupancy and permits for awnings and outdoor signs. |
Department of Transportation (DOT)
Address: 40 Worth Street New York, NY 10013
Phone: 311 or 212-New-York outside of New York City
Website: http://www.nyc.gov/calldot |
Issues permits for revocable consent, street furniture, sub-surface street repairs and sidewalk repair or installation. |
Department. of Environmental Protection (DEP)
Address: 9-17 Junction Boulevard Flushing, NY 11373
Phone: 311 or 212-New-York outside of New York City
Website: http://www.nyc.gov/dep
The Environmental Economic Dev. Unit (EEDAU) helps find sources of financial aid for regulatory compliance and pollution prevention. |
Issues water tap or wet connection permits, water meter permits, sewer connection permits, industrial wastewater discharge permits. Also issues work permits and certificates of operation for businesses that must comply with the NYC Air Control Code; permits for asbestos demolition and renovation activities. Facilities storing or handling hazardous substances at or above certain levels must file an annual Facility Inventory Form to comply with the NYC Community Right-to-Know Law; certain facilities also must file a Risk Management Plan. |
Taxi and Limousine Commission
Address: 40 Rector Street New York, NY 10006
Phone: 311 or 212-New-York outside of New York City
Website: http://www.nyc.gov/calldot |
Issues licenses for taxis, limousines and small charter buses. |
New York State AGENCIES
Website: http://www.gorr.state.ny.us or
http://www.nys-permits.org (O.P.A.L) |
If you're getting the runaround by a state agency (ies) call the Office of Regulatory Reform and they intervene and take care of the problem. OR Online Permit Assistance & Licensing - A quick reference to identify needed permits or licenses |
NYS/Department of Agriculture & Markets (DOAM)
Address: 1 Winners Circle Albany, NY 12235
Phone: (800) 554-4501
Website: http://www.agmkt.state.ny.us/ |
Issues licenses for live poultry, fruit/vegetable markets, kosher meat/fish markets and fish farms, and conducts inspections for food industries. |
NYS Liquor Authority (SLA) New York City Office
Address: 105 West 125th Street 4th Floor, New York, NY 10027
Phone: (212) 961-8385
Website: http://abc.state.ny.us |
Issues licenses for alcoholic beverages. |
NYS Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
Manhattan/Bronx Phone: (212) 645-5550
Brooklyn/Queens/Staten Island Phone: (718) 966-6155
Website: http://www.nydmv.state.ny.us |
Issues licenses for commercial vehicles. |
NYS Department of State
Address: 84 Holland Avenue Albany, NY 12208
Division of Licensing Services (518) 474-0050 (leave message)
Business and Licensing Services (800) 342-3464 (voice prompt or speak to customer service representative)
Website: http://www.dos.state.ny.us |
Issues licenses for appearance enhancement, barbers; alarm installers; armored car carriers; bail enforcement agents; central dispatch facilities; hearing aid dispenser businesses; private investigators; real estate brokers; real estate appraisers, real estate salespeople and real estate branch offices; security guards; watch, guard, and patrol agencies; armored car guards and telemarketers. |
Call us if you have problems getting your permit or if you have received fines and need assistance in understanding and correcting any violations:
Department of Small Business Services
City Business Assistance/Emergency Response Unit
110 William Street, 2nd Floor
New York, NY 10038
Phone: (212) 618-8810
Website: http://www.nyc.gov/html/sbs/nycbiz/html/navigating/navigating.shtml
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