Food Service Establishment Permit

Read the Application Packet for a New Food Service Establishment for complete requirements and steps to apply for a permit.

Plan for your new food service establishment by accessing the NYC Department of Small Business Services Start a Restaurant Quick Guide.

Each permitted food establishment will receive an unscheduled annual inspection. The Health Department offers tools and guidance to help operators practice A-Grade food safety.

Visit www.nyc.gov/health/foodservice for comprehensive, up-to-date information about operating your restaurant safely and in compliance with the NYC Health Code and other statutes. 

Refer to the Requirements Checklist for basic documentation and other requirements needed to apply for a permit from the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH), some of which depend on the type of business that will be given the permit.

Will your new food service establishment be wheelchair friendly? Review the requirements for obtaining a Wheelchair Friendly decal, issued by the City of New York, that can be posted at the entrance of your establishment. You will be required to complete a brief survey. You can submit the completed survey form with your new permit application documents when you apply in person, or you may complete it online when you apply for your new permit. If you qualify, you will receive the decal in the mail.

All outstanding fines imposed for Health Code Violations must be paid before you can apply for or renew a permit or registration issued by the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

Fines may be paid:

• •   In person at the NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection Citywide Licensing Center (appointment required).

  •   In person or online at the NYC Department of Finance

  •   Online at nyc.gov/business. Select Violations and then Pay Your Violation

All Food Service Establishment facilities must have a supervising manager who has passed a Food Protection Course on site at all times. A Food Protection Certificate (FPC) or registration in the course is required at the time of applying for the permit, and certification is required prior to opening the business establishment.

Restaurant operators should encourage additional staff to obtain a food protection certificate to ensure there is coverage of an FPC holder during all hours of operation and to have more staff trained in food safety procedures and avoid fines. 

Proof of a Certificate of Authority to Collect Sales Tax. The address on the Certificate must match that of the applicant or establishment for which an application is being submitted.

It may take weeks to receive your Certificate so factor that into your timeline for submission of your permit application. 

Proof of Worker's Compensation and Disability Insurance, including the name of the insurance carrier, the policy number, and the expiration date must be submitted when you apply for a permit and when you renew. The certificate must list the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene as the Certificate Holder.

Or, if your business is exempt from obtaining this insurance (meaning you have no employees), obtain a Form CE-200 stamped by the Worker's Compensation Board with the New York State-assigned Exemption Certificate Number. 

It may take some time to obtain your insurance coverage or the CE-200 form, so factor that into your timeline for submission. 

If someone other than the business owner will be submitting the application, a completed Power of Attorney / Authority to Act form is required. The person submitting the application on behalf of the business owner must also show a form of acceptable photo identification.

A valid e-mail address is required if applying online.

List of Permit Fees

Permit fee varies by type of permit (type of establishment and activities). If your food establishment will manufacture frozen desserts, you will either pay an additional fee of $25 when you apply for your food service establishment permit or if you add this service after you open. 

List of accepted payment methods. More info

Applying for a DOHMH permit does not satisfy the regulatory requirements of other City and State Agencies. It is the business owner's responsibility to apply for all other permits, licenses, and authorizations required by other City and State Agencies.