Nightlife Industry & Community Resources

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The Office of Nightlife serves as a one-stop central point of contact between city agencies, nightlife business owners, employees, patrons, and residents, to support a more efficient, vibrant, safe, and fair nightlife that works for all New Yorkers.

Here you will find a collection of quick links to connect business owners and residents to the programs, resources and information provided by NYC agencies that affect nightlife:

NYC Dept of Buildings (DOB)
NYC Dept of City Planning (DCP)
NYC Dept of Cultural Affairs (DCLA)
NYC Dept of Consumer Affairs (DCA)
NYC Dept of Environmental Protection (DEP)
NYC Fire Department (FDNY)
NYC Dept of Health & Mental Hygiene (DOHMH)
Department of Sanitation (DSNY)
NYC Dept of Small Business Services (SBS)
NYC Department of Transportation (DOT)
NYC Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH)
NYC Police Department (NYPD)
NY State Liquor Authority (SLA)
NYC & Company (NYC&Co.)
NYC Commission on Human Rights (CCHR)
Mayors' Office of Citywide Event Coordination and Management (CECM)

 

 

NYC Dept of Buildings (DOB)

NYC Dept of Buildings (DOB)

Nightlife Related Topics: Certificate of Occupancy, Building Code, Permits, Inspections, Zoning

The Department of Buildings (DOB) strives to ensure the safe and lawful use of approximately one million buildings and properties in New York City by enforcing the City's Building Code and Administrative Code, which regulate assembly spaces, and the Zoning Resolution, which regulates building uses.

 

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NYC Dept of City Planning (DCP)

NYC Dept of City Planning (DCP)

Nightlife Related Topics: Zoning, Land Use

The Department of City Planning (DCP) is New York City's primary land use agency and is instrumental in designing the City's physical and socioeconomic framework. DCP maintains the Zoning Resolution text and maps that provide the policy and regulatory basis for land use and development, and provides policy analysis, technical assistance and data on zoning, urban design, demography, and other issues.

The Department of City Planning sets the framework of the city’s land uses. Land uses generally fall within three categories: Residential (R), Commercial (C), and Manufacturing (M). Dancing is allowed in C-2, C-3, C-4, C-6, C-7, and C-8 as well as all M Districts. Use the Zoning Map linked above to identify the venue’s underlying zoning and check with the Index of Uses to confirm what is allowed in its district.

 

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NYC Dept of Cultural Affairs (DCLA)

NYC Dept of Cultural Affairs (DCLA)

Nightlife Related Topics: Arts, Cultural Funding

The New York City Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA) is the largest municipal funder of culture in the country and is committed to providing access to art and culture for all New Yorkers. In addition to cultural funding, the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs serves the City's creative communities through a variety of ongoing initiatives that seek to increase the DCLA's values of equity and access to arts and culture for all New York City residents.

 

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NYC Dept of Consumer Affairs (DCA)

NYC Dept of Cultural Affairs (DCA)

Nightlife Related Topics: Workers Rights, Consumer Rights, Sidewalk Café

The Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP)—formerly known as the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA)— Office of Labor Policy & Standards is NYC's central resource for workers. We are a dedicated voice in City government for workers in NYC. We protect and promote labor standards and policies that create fair workplaces to ensure all workers can realize their rights, regardless of immigration status. The Department of Consumer and Worker Protection also issues permits for sidewalk cafés.

 

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NYC Dept of Environmental Protection (DEP)

NYC Dept of Environmental Protection (DEP)

Nightlife Related Topics: Noise Code, Grease Disposal

The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) oversees many issues that impact the health and well-being of our City, including water supply, air quality, and ambient noise. Learn more about the most common environmental compliance issues overseen by DEP, including Noise (Sound) and Music Mitigation, Grease / Fat Disposal, and Backflow Prevention.

 

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NYC Fire Department (FDNY)

NYC Fire Department (FDNY)

Nightlife Related Topics: Fire Code, Fire Safety

The Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY) requires businesses to have various types of licenses and permits to ensure the safety of its guests, workers, and neighbors. The FDNY also reviews and approves plans for certification to protect public safety in New York City, and provides Certificates of Fitness (COF) for occupations in which fire hazards may be prevalent. FDNY's Bureau of Fire Prevention is responsible for overseeing these safety regulations.

 

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NYC Dept of Health & Mental Hygiene (DOHMH)

NYC Dept of Health & Mental Hygiene (DOHMH)

Nightlife Related Topics: Health Regulations, Food Safety, Smoking and Hookah Laws, Drug & Alcohol Use, COVID-19 information and updates, COVID-19 vaccine information

The NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) issues different types of licenses and permits under the NYC Health Code. Many nightlife establishments are required to obtain a permit as a Food Service Establishments, or a place where food or drink is provided directly to the consumer, whether provided free of charge or sold, and whether consumed on or off the premises. You can get more information about DOHMH licenses and permits, along with information about how to apply, regulations and requirements at the links below.

 

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Department of Sanitation (DSNY)

Department of Sanitation (DSNY)

Nightlife Related Topics: Waste Removal, Recycling, Street Sweeping

The NYC Department of Sanitation (DSNY) keeps New York City healthy, safe and clean by collecting, recycling and disposing of waste, cleaning streets and vacant lots, and clearing snow and ice. Although DSNY does not provide businesses with collection services, businesses must still comply with DSNY rules and regulations.

 

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NYC Dept of Small Business Services (SBS)

NYC Dept of Small Business Services (SBS)

Nightlife Related Topics: Business Resources, BID information, NYC Business Portal, Business Management Tools, Grants & Loans

The NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS) helps unlock economic potential and create economic security for all New Yorkers by connecting New Yorkers to good jobs, creating stronger businesses, and building thriving neighborhoods across the five boroughs. Its NYC Business wizard allows you to create an account to get a customized list of licenses and permits for your business, track violations, and get information on free courses and workshops. SBS also offers client management, compliance consultations, plan examinations, and pre-inspections.

 

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NYC Department of Transportation (DOT)

NYC Department of Transportation (DOT)

Nightlife Related Topics: Transportation, Street Construction, Street Safety, Bicycle Safety, Open Streets, Open Restaurants

The NYC Department of Transportation (DOT)'s mission is to provide for the safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible movement of people and goods and to maintain and enhance the transportation infrastructure crucial to the economic vitality and quality of life for New Yorkers.

DOT is responsible for keeping the City's 6,300 miles of streets in good repair. DOT's street construction projects range from pothole repair to milling and repaving to full reconstruction of the street. DOT has also launched a street safety plan, called Vision Zero, to end traffic deaths and injuries on New York City streets.

DOT is not responsible for New York City subway or bus service. The MTA operates the subway system, issues MetroCards, and operates the Metro-North and Long Island Railroads. DOT owns and operates the Staten Island Ferry and works with other city agencies and private ferry operators to promote use of our waterways for transportation.

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NYC Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH)

NYC Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH)

Nightlife Related Topics: Summonses and Fines, Conflict Resolution, (MEND NYC) mediation and Conflict Resolution Services

The NYC Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH) is New York City's administrative law court. OATH is independent from the agencies that issue summonses, and its Hearings Division handles hearings on summonses.

 

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NYC Police Department (NYPD)

NYC Police Department (NYPD)

Nightlife Related Topics: Public Safety, Enforcement, NCO

The New York City Police Department (NYPD) is the largest and one of the oldest municipal police departments in the United States, with approximately 36,000 officers and 19,000 civilian employees. The NYPD is responsible for policing an 8.5-million-person city, by performing a wide variety of public safety, law enforcement, traffic management, counterterrorism, and emergency response roles.

 

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NY State Liquor Authority (SLA)

NY State Liquor Authority (SLA)

Nightlife Related Topics: Liquor Licensing

The NY State Liquor Authority has two main functions: issuing licenses and permits; and ensuring compliance with the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law. Having a liquor license is a responsibility, much like having a driver’s license, and a licensed business should always prioritize the safety of its patrons and neighbors. The Authority's licensing activities focus on processing permits and licenses. The Authority's enforcement activities focus on the protection of the public by working with local law enforcement agencies and local communities to bring administrative actions against licensees who violate the law.

The Cabaret Liquor License (CR 256) from the New York State Liquor Authority is a license that is required for businesses with musical entertainment for more than 600 people to serve alcohol. This license and other City and State regulations still apply for establishments even after the repeal of the Cabaret Law.

The Cabaret license from the NYC Department of Consumer Affairs (now known as the NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection) is no longer required and is no longer issued as of March 27,2018.

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NYC & Company (NYC&Co.)

NYC & Company (NYC&Co.)

Nightlife Related Topics: Nightlife activates, Tourism, Marketing & Promotion

NNYC & Company is the official destination and visitor's bureau for the five boroughs of New York City. NYC & Company provides resources for visitors to discover everything they need to know about what to do and see in New York City. NYC & Company works closely with its members to ensure that people around the world know about the City’s unique nightlife and entertainment businesses.

 

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NYC Commission on Human Rights (CCHR)

NYC Commission on Human Rights (CCHR)

Nightlife Related Topics: Human Rights, Social Justice, Mediation Services, Workplace Laws

The New York City Commission on Human Rights is charged with the enforcement of the City Human Rights Law, one of the most comprehensive anti-discrimination laws in the country, which protects anyone who works, lives, or visits New York City from discrimination at work, at home, and in public places, including nightlife institutions. Nightlife institutions have responsibilities as employers and as public spaces. Recently, the Stop Sexual Harassment in NYC Act mandated new posting and training requirements to help prevent sexual harassment in the workplace.

 

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Mayors' Office of Citywide Event Coordination and Management (CECM)

Mayors' Office of Citywide Event Coordination and Management (CECM)

Nightlife Related Topics: Street Fair Permitting, Open Culture

The Mayor’s Office of Citywide Event Coordination and Management (CECM) assists operators looking to host street activities, cultural activities, and community events with resources to produce an event on the City’s streets, sidewalks, and plazas.

 

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View a list of All NYC Agencies