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Important Updates
On July 18, 2021, the City enacted Local Law 80 of 2021, which provides civil penalty relief from certain sanitation, health, transportation, consumer affairs, noise control and buildings violations. It also repeals a number of requirements and prohibitions in the Administrative Code to provide relief for small businesses. Learn more about Local Law 80 of 2021.
June 18, 2020: Per the Mayor’s Executive Order, certain laws and rules relating to sidewalk cafés have been suspended to administer the Open Restaurants Program. If you own a restaurant or bar, you must apply for Open Restaurants certification to offer outdoor dining service, even if you already have a license for an unenclosed sidewalk café or a small sidewalk café. Learn more including guidance on heating elements for outdoor dining setups at nyc.gov/openrestaurants.
Licensing Services
We license more than 45,000 businesses in more than 40 industries. You can access many of our licensing services online including:
- Applying for a license
- Renewing your license
- Updating your license information (e.g., change of name, address, etc.)
- Link My Account to My DCA Records
Prefer to visit us in person? In-Person Licensing and Collections Services Available By Appointment Only. DCWP is accepting in-person visits from customers with appointments only at our Manhattan and Queens locations. You must schedule an appointment to meet with a DCWP representative. View flyer to learn how to schedule an appointment in English | Español (Spanish) | العربية (Arabic) | বাংলা (Bengali) | 简体中文 (Chinese - Simplified) | 繁體中文 (Chinese - Traditional) | Français (French) | Kreyòl Ayisyen (Haitian Creole) | 한국어 (Korean) | Język Polski (Polish) | Русский (Russian) | ردو (Urdu)
Security Breaches
In the event of a security breach, DCWP licensees must promptly email DCWP a copy of the notification to affected persons required by NY General Business Law § 899-aa(2) or (3). Email DCWP at SecurityNotifications@dcwp.nyc.gov
Get Important Information for:
- Car Washes
- Employment Agencies
- General Vendors: Request to Use a Helper | Waiting List Applicants
- Horse Drawn Cabs and Drivers
- Online Third-Party Food Delivery Services Industry: New City laws require many food delivery apps to have a license and establish requirements that apps must follow concerning consumers, delivery workers, and restaurants. Learn more at nyc.gov/DeliveryApps.
- Pedicab Businesses and Drivers
- Pregnancy Services Centers
- Process Server Industry
- Secondhand Dealers for Catalytic Converters
- Sidewalk Cafés:
- DCA created an online map that allows businesses to track new and renewal license applications. Learn more.
- Download 2018 consent fees for street space.
- Read standard enclosed sidewalk café revocable consent agreement.
- Read standard unenclosed sidewalk café revocable consent agreement.
- To get information about a specific sidewalk café application, including the size and number of tables and chairs proposed for the sidewalk café, send an email to sidewalkcafepublichearing@dca.nyc.gov.
- Tobacco and/or Electronic Cigarette Retail Dealers
Additional Quick Links for Businesses:
Learn about 10 Things Every Business Should Know Available in English, Español (Spanish), 中文 (Chinese), Kreyòl Ayisyen (Haitian Creole), 한국어 (Korean), and Русский (Russian). Read additional tips for businesses
Do you have employees? Learn about your employer responsibilities on workplace laws.
Need to have your scales inspected? Submit a request for a scale inspection online or call 311.
New York City businesses must comply with all relevant federal, State, and City laws and rules. Visit our Laws webpage.
Find more information about opening or operating a business in New York City at nyc.gov/business.