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Food Service Establishment Permit

Before you submit your application

Design and build your establishment to meet food safety requirements. Click on the link below.
Suggested Guide to Food Establishment Design (PDF)
Each permitted food establishment will receive an unscheduled annual inspection. The Health Department offers tools and guidance to help operators practice A-Grade food safety.
What to Expect When You're Inspected - How to Get an A Grade (PDF)
Read the Application Packet for a New Food Service Establishment for complete requirements and steps to apply for a permit.
Application Packet for New Food Service Establishments (PDF)
Refer to the Requirements Checklist for basic documentation and other requirements needed to apply for a permit from the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH), some of which depend on the type of business that will be given the permit.
Requirements Checklist – All Other DOHMH Permits
The DOHMH offers an optional Consultation Inspection for new food service establishments to help them perform well on routine inspections and safely serve their customers. This optional inspection is only available to those food service establishments that are operating and serving food but have not yet received their first graded inspection. You can apply when you submit your new permit application in person or online. The fee is $100.
Consultation Services for Food Service Establishments (PDF)
Will your new food service establishment be wheelchair friendly? Review the requirements for obtaining a Wheelchair Friendly decal, issued by the City of New York, that can be posted at the entrance of your establishment. You will be required to complete a brief survey. You can submit the completed survey form with your new permit application documents when you apply in person, or you may complete it online when you apply for your new permit. If you qualify, you will recieve the decal in the mail.
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All outstanding fines imposed for Health Code Violations must be paid before you can apply for or renew a permit issued by the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

You can review and pay outstanding violations at 66 John St, 10th floor, New York, N.Y. 10038 or by going to nyc.gov/citypay and selecting option #6.

Fines may also be paid in person at the NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) Citywide Licensing Center or Online.
Pay Outstanding Fines Online

NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP)
Licensing Center
42 Broadway, Lobby
New York, NY 10004
All Food Service Establishment facilities must have a supervising manager who has passed a Food Protection Course on site at all times. A Food Protection Certificate or registration in the course is required at the time of applying for the permit, and certification is required prior to opening the business establishment.
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Proof of a Certificate of Authority to Collect Sales Tax. The address on the Certificate must match that of the applicant or establishment for which an application is being submitted.
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Proof of Worker's Compensation and Disability Insurance, including the name of the insurance carrier, the policy number, and the expiration date must be submitted when you apply for a permit and when you renew. Or, if exempt, a copy of Form CE-200 stamped by the Worker's Compensation Board with the New York State-assigned Exemption Certificate Number. The certificate must list the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene as the Certificate Holder.
New York State Workers' Compensation
If someone other than the business owner will be submitting the application, a completed Power of Attorney / Authority to Act form is required. The person submitting the application on behalf of the business owner must also show a form of acceptable photo identification.
Authority to Act Form (PDF)
A valid e-mail address is required if applying online.
List of Permit Fees
Permit fee varies by type of permit (type of establishment and activities). A permit to Manufacture Frozen Dessert: $25 (non-profits are fee exempt)
Fee Schedule for a Food Service Establishment Permit
List of accepted payment methods.
More info
Applying for a DOHMH permit does not satisfy the regulatory requirements of other City and State Agencies. It is the business owner's responsibility to apply for all other permits, licenses, and authorizations required by other City and State Agencies. Pursuant to NYC Charter Section 645, no premises may be used or occupied until a Certificate of Occupancy has been issued by the NYC Commissioner of Buildings. Failure to comply with all relevant regulations, including those under the jurisdiction of other Agencies, may result in the suspension of Department of Health and Mental Hygiene permits until proof of compliance is provided.

Steps to apply online:

1.

Gather all supporting documents required to apply for this permit.
2.

Make electronic versions of all documents required for applying for a permit. You will upload these documents into the online permit system. The following document types can be uploaded: PDF, JPG, GIF, PNG, XLS, XLSX, DOC, DOCX, VSD, and TXT.
3.

Create an account with the NYC Online Licensing system. Payment is required to complete and submit the application so applicants should have their credit or debit card information readily available. Partially completed applications may be saved and returned to later for completion.
4.

Select the Food Service Establishment permit type from the list (this depends on the organization operating the establishment and its non-profit status) and enter the requested information into each field. Restaurants, Cafes, and Bars should select Food Service Establishment (General). Fields with an asterisk (*) are required. Applicants will be requested to upload copies of the documents identified in the Prerequisites section above. These documents can be uploaded individually or as a single file.

Note: If you plan to manufacture and serve frozen desserts in your establishment, select Food Service Establishment (general): Also Manufactures Frozen Desserts.
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5.

If your food establishment will be wheelchair accessible and you would like a Wheelchair Friendly Decal for your entrance, you may complete the survey while applying for your new permit online.
6.

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

Ready to Apply?

Apply Online

Steps to apply by mail:

1.

Applications for new permits are not accepted by mail.

Steps to apply in person:

1.

Complete the Application for Permit form, the Supplemental Application form, and the Wheelchair Friendly Survey form, if applicable. Forms, along with detailed instructions, can be found in the Application Packet for a Food Service Establishment Permit.
Permit Application Packet for a New Food Service Establishment - with Instructions (PDF)
2.

If your food establishment will manufacture and serve frozen desserts, you must obtain an additional permit to do so. You will need to submit a separate application form and payment for this permit.
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3.

File all forms, required documentation, and pay the required fees in person at the DCWP Licensing Center.
NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP)
Licensing Center
42 Broadway, Lobby
New York, NY 10004

Disclaimer

The City has tried to provide you with correct information on this website. While every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided is accurate and up-to-date, errors are still possible. The information provided is not legal advice. You may need additional information to meet the legal requirements for starting or operating your business.

Food Service Establishment Permit

Apply

Before you submit your application

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Steps to apply online:

Ready to Apply?

Steps to apply by mail:

Steps to apply in person:

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COVID-19 Alert Levels in NYC. Get the latest on the COVID-19 Vaccine.

Food Service Establishment Permit

Apply

Before you submit your application

Ready to Apply?

Steps to apply online:

Ready to Apply?

Steps to apply by mail:

Steps to apply in person:

Learn More

Get Help

Contact Us

Stay Connected