Food Service Establishment Permit

A food service establishment is a place where food is given to people, whether sold or free, and whether eaten on-site or taken away.

Examples include:

• Restaurants
• Employee cafeterias
• Bakeries
• Takeouts
• Pizzerias
• Night clubs
• Cabarets
• Bars
• Senior centers
• Emergency food relief organizations
• Schools
• Religious, fraternal and charitable places

These places need a permit from the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH).

Once you apply for a permit, you can open 22 days after you submit your application, even if you haven't had a pre-permit inspection. If you want to open sooner, call 212-676-1600 to schedule a pre-operating inspection.

The permit fee for most food service establishments in New York City is $280.00, plus $25.00 if you will make frozen desserts.

• Read the application packet
  Read the application packet for a new food service establishment. It has all the steps and requirements to apply for a permit.

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

• Annual inspection
  Each permitted food establishment will get an unscheduled yearly inspection. The Health Department offers tools to help you get an A grade in food safety.
  Visit www.nyc.gov/health/foodservice for more information.
  What to Expect When You're Inspected - How to Get an A Grade (PDF)

• Requirements Checklist
  Check the Requirements Checklist for the documents you need to apply for a permit.

• Wheelchair-friendly decal
  Will your food establishment be wheelchair friendly? Check the rules for getting a Wheelchair Friendly decal. You need to complete a short survey and submit the survey with your permit application. If you qualify, you will get the decal in the mail.

• Outstanding fines
  Pay all outstanding fines for health code violations before you apply for or renew a permit. Fines can 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

• Food Protection Course
  A supervising manager must pass a Food Protection Course and be on-site at all times. A Food Protection Certificate (FPC) or course registration is needed when applying for the permit. Certification is needed before opening your establishment.
  Encourage more staff to get an FPC to avoid fines.

• Certificate of authority to collect sales tax
  Show proof of a Certificate of Authority to Collect Sales Tax. The address on the certificate must match the applicant's or establishment's address.
  It may take weeks to get your certificate, so plan ahead.

• Workers' compensation and disability insurance
  Show proof of workers' compensation and disability insurance. Include the insurance carrier's name, policy number and expiration date. The certificate must list the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) as the Certificate Holder.

  • If your business is exempt (no employees), get a Form CE-200 stamped by the New York State Workers' Compensation Board. It may take time to get your insurance or the CE-200 form, so plan ahead.

• Power of attorney/authority to act
  If someone else will submit the application, a completed Power of Attorney/Authority to Act form is needed. The person must also show a photo ID.

• Valid email address
  A valid email address is needed if applying online.

• Permit fees
  Permit fees vary by type of permit. If your food establishment will make frozen desserts, you will pay an extra $25.
  Fee Schedule for a Food Service Establishment Permit (PDF)

• Accepted payment methods

  • Check (made payable to NYC DOHMH): accepted only in person
  • Government check (made payable to NYC DOHMH): accepted only in person
  • Money order (made payable to NYC DOHMH): accepted only in person
  • American Express
  • Discover
  • Mastercard
  • Visa

• Other permits and licenses
  Applying for a DOHMH permit does not cover other City and State agencies' requirements. It is the business owner's responsibility to apply for all other needed permits and licenses.

• Receipt of application:

  • If you apply online, you will get a receipt by email.
  • If you apply in person, the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) will give you a receipt.

• You can start operating 22 days after you submit your permit application, even if you haven't received the permit yet.

  • The New York City (NYC) Health Department will make an unannounced visit after you open.

• Application processing

  • The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene will process your application.
  • They will tell you if they need more information.
  • You can check your application status by signing into the Health Department online permitting system and selecting "Search Applications."
  • You can also call 311 and ask for the status of your Health Department permit application.https://a816-hlst.nyc.gov/CitizenAccess/

• Pre-permit inspection:

  • The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene will inspect your business place to make sure it meets NYC standards.
  • If you pass the inspection, they will mail you a license.
  • If you do not pass, the inspector will give you a list of things to fix. You must schedule another inspection.

• Updating contact information:

  • Make sure the Health Department has your email and mailing address to send updates about your permit or license.
  • You can update your contact information on the Amendment Form for a Health Department Permit or License.
  • You can also update your information when you renew your permit online at nyc.gov/dohmhpermits.

• Know your rights:

  • Read about your rights as the owner of a New York City food service establishment. Food Service Establishment Business Owner Bill of Rights (PDF)

• Annual inspection: Each food establishment will get an inspection every year. The Health Department helps you get an A grade. How to get an A grade (PDF)

• Update contact information: Make sure the Health Department has your current email and address.

  • Update your info by submitting an Amendment Form or when you renew your permit online at nyc.gov/dohmhpermits.

• Notice of Violation (NOV): If you get an NOV, you might get a settlement offer in the mail. Pay it before the hearing date to avoid a higher fine. Settle a notice of violation

• Health Code Compliance: Follow the rules in Article 81 of the NYC Health Code.

• Consultation Service: The Health Department offers a Consultation Service to help you do well on inspections. This service costs $400. Call 311 to apply. Consultation services for food service establishments (PDF)

• Chain restaurant requirements:

  • Chain restaurants (with 15 or more locations) must post calorie content.

  • Chain restaurants must also follow sodium labeling rules. Sodium warning rules

• Transfats guidelines: Follow guidelines about using transfats in food.

• Pest control: Control pests in your establishment. If pests are found, you will get a summons and a fine. Controlling pests in restaurants

• Outdoor dining with dogs: Learn about outdoor dining with dogs.

• Food Service Operators website: Visit the NYC Department of Health's Food Service Operators website for more info.

• Wheelchair-friendly decal: If your place is wheelchair friendly, you may get a Wheelchair Friendly decal.

• Health and safety signs: Display health and safety signs. Not displaying them may result in a violation.

• Business owner rights: Know your rights as a food service owner.

• Additional permits and licenses: Applying for a Department of Health and Mental Hygiene permit does not cover other City and State requirements. You must apply for all other necessary permits and licenses. No place may be used until a Certificate of Occupancy is issued by the NYC Commissioner of Buildings.

• Permit expiration and renewal: Food Service Establishment permits expire one year from the end of the month you applied. You will get a reminder to renew three months before your permit expires. Pay any fines before renewing. Provide proof of current workers' compensation and disability insurance when renewing.

• Paying fines: Pay all fines for health code violations before applying for or renewing a permit. Fines can 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.

• Pay outstanding fines
  Pay all outstanding fines for health code violations before you apply for or renew a permit. Fines can 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.

• Gather supporting documents
  Gather all documents needed to apply for this permit.

• Make electronic versions of documents
  Make electronic versions of all documents. You will upload these into the online permit system. The following document types can be uploaded: PDF, JPG, GIF, PNG, XLS, XLSX, DOC, DOCX, VSD and TXT.

• Create an account
  Create an account with the NYC Online Licensing system.

• Select permit type
  Select the Food Service Establishment permit type from the list.

  • Enter the requested information into each field.

  • Restaurants, cafes and bars should select Food Service Establishment (General).

  • Fields with an asterisk (*) are required.

  • Upload copies of the required documents. These can be uploaded individually or as a single file.
    Note: If you plan to make and serve frozen desserts, select Food Service Establishment (General): Also Manufactures Frozen Desserts.

• Wheelchair-friendly decal
  If your food establishment will be wheelchair accessible and you want a Wheelchair Friendly decal, complete the survey while applying for your permit online.

• Begin operations
  You may start to operate 22 days after you submit your permit application, even if you have not been issued a permit. The NYC Health Department will conduct an unannounced pre-permit inspection after you open.

• Pay with credit or debit card
  Pay with a credit or debit card to complete the application.

• Pay outstanding fines
  Pay all outstanding fines for health code violations before you apply for or renew a permit. Fines can be paid:

  • In person at the NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection Citywide Licensing Center (appointment required). You may submit your application when you pay your fine.
  • In person or online at the NYC Department of Finance
  • Online at nyc.gov/business. Select Violations and then Pay Your Violation.

• Complete application forms
  Complete the Application for Permit form, the Supplemental Application form and the Wheelchair Friendly Survey form, if needed. Forms and instructions are in the Application Packet for a Food Service Establishment Permit.

• Frozen desserts permit
  If your food place will make and serve frozen desserts, you need a Manufacturing of Frozen Desserts permit. Submit a separate application form and payment for this permit.

• File forms and pay fees

  • File all forms and required documents.

  • Pay the required fees in person at the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) Licensing Center.

  • Make an appointment for in-person services at DCWP. Email licensingappointments@dcwp.nyc.gov or call 212-436-0441 to schedule an appointment.
    
    NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP)
    Licensing Center
    42 Broadway, Lobby
    New York, NY 10004

• Begin operations
  You may start to operate 22 days after you submit your permit application, even if you have not been issued a permit. The NYC Health Department will conduct an unannounced pre-permit inspection after you open.

• No mail applications
  Applications for new permits are not accepted by mail.

• Pay fines: Pay all fines for health code violations before renewing. Fines can 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.

• Submit renewals online: Submit renewals online via the NYC Online Licensing system. Registration is required. Pay fines online before renewing. Use the Personal Identification Number (PIN) from your Renewal Notice to link your records to one online account. If you don't have your Renewal Notice, get your PIN by completing an online PIN Request Form or by calling 311. You may need to download Microsoft Silverlight to upload documents.

• Pay fines: Pay all fines for health code violations before renewing. Fines can be paid:

  • In person at the NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) 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.

• Renew in person: Renew your permit in person at the DCWP Citywide Licensing Center (appointment required). If someone renews for you, they must present an Authority to Act on your behalf.

NYC DCWP
Licensing Center
42 Broadway, Lobby
New York, NY 10004

• Pay fines: Pay all fines for health code violations before renewing. Fines can 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.

• Follow instructions: Follow the instructions on your Renewal Notice to renew by mail.