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Emergency Preparedness

Business Preparedness and Resiliency Program

View information from the organizations that support businesses in preparing their employees, services, and facilities for emergencies.

Insurance and Emergency Assistance

Find ways to ensure your business is financially prepared in case of an emergency.

Emergency Preparedness Resources

Find tools that can help you create a plan to ensure that your business is ready for anything.

Regulations

Regulations Index

A complete index of all the licenses, permits, and other regulations that may be required to do business in New York City.

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Tools

Step-by-Step Wizard

Use this tool to see your personalized list of City, State, and Federal licenses and permits needed to run your business.

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Incentives Estimator

Use this tool to see your customized list of City, State, and Federal incentives and tax credits that your business may qualify for.

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Emergency Preparedness Self-Assessment Tool

Use this tool to understand risks and get tailored recommendations to improve your emergency preparedness.

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Search My Transactions

Check the status of your business's applications and violations.

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Advice for Businesses

Legal matters are important to small businesses, but legal terms and fees can be challenging. The NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS) can connect you to a variety of legal partners for free legal services to help your business. SBS provides one-on-one legal consultations and clinics on key business topics such as:

Choose a legal structure for your business, for example LLC or S Corporation.
Answer questions about your commercial lease or contract.
Protect your intellectual property.
Review human resource and employment laws.
Get guidance on corporate tax matters.

Please Note:

All services provided are for entrepreneurs and small businesses that
- are located in New York City or plan to relocate.
- meet the income eligibility requirements of the legal providers
Our pro-bono legal providers are unable to assist cases already in litigation

Program Details

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Free Legal Clinics and One-on-One Consultations

Businesses can access free legal clinics and one-on-one legal consultations with pro-bono attorneys through the NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS)’s NYC Business Solutions Centers (BSCs) and Industrial Business Service Providers.

Request Free Legal Assistance.

Commercial Lease Assistance Program

If your business needs help with a commercial lease issue in New York City, you may be eligible for free legal services through the Commercial Lease Assistance program.

Learn More and Request Commercial Lease Assistance

BE NYC

The NYC Department of Small Business Services’, BE NYC initiative provides free legal services to NYC’s Black entrepreneurs and underserved communities.

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Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprise (M/WBE) Contract Legal Services

Free workshops and legal clinics to help NYC-certified M/WBEs understand business contracts, agreements, and related legal situations.

Learn More About M/WBE Contract Legal Services

WE Legal

Women Entrepreneurs NYC (WE NYC) offers one-on-one legal consultations. These sessions are provided by top law firms in New York City, offering advice on a range of critical business topics.

Learn More About WE Legal