The NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS) helps your business open its doors faster and stay open. SBS offers in-person support through one-on-one conversations with Small Business Advocates and on-site compliance consultations.
Small Business Advocates
The NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS)’s Small Business Advocates make it easier for you to start, operate, and grow your storefront business in New York City without delay. Here are some examples of the types of storefront businesses we help:
| Food Establishments |
Retail |
| Restaurants, bars, cafes, pizza and ice cream shops, supermarkets, bodegas, deli, grocery stores, fish and meat markets |
Apparel, hardware, pharmacy, flower shop, bookstore, laundromat and dry cleaners, salons and personal care, shoe repair |
They will help you:
- Understand key City rules and requirements to avoid fines and violations
- Connect to government agencies to get the permits and licenses you need for your business
- Learn how to resolve any violations your business has received
Small Business Advocates help you cut through the red tape by working together with our colleagues at City and State regulatory agencies, and utilities including:
- Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY)
- NYC Department of Buildings (DOB)
- Department of Consumer & Worker Protection (DCWP)
- Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)
- Department of Health & Mental Hygiene (DOHMH)
- Department of Sanitation (DSNY)
- NYS Department of Agriculture & Markets
- NYS Department of Financial Services
- NYS Liquor Authority
- Con Edison
Connect with a Small Business Advocate *Services are available in multiple languages
Compliance Consultations
Our team will come to your business and provide a customized checklist to help you:
We will also provide business-related information from multiple agencies including the:
We will not issue violations or fines - we are here to help you understand the rules. The consultation will not discuss all rules and regulations and will not exempt your business from the inspection and enforcement processes of City, State, or Federal agencies. If you have already received a violation, our staff can help you understand what it means and how to resolve it.
Request a Compliance Consultation
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