Licenses

Important Updates Due to COVID-19

To help customers follow the City’s guidance to stay home as much as possible and practice social (physical) distancing to stop the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), DCWP will NOT accept in-person visits but advises customers to use our online services available OR email the relevant Division for assistance. Learn more.

DCA is extending certain license expiration dates and renewal application deadlines. Read Does Your Consumer Affairs License Expire February through June 2020?: Important Update flyer in
English | Additional translations coming soon, please check back.

Important Information for Employers and Employees: Update about Workplace Laws as NYC Seeks to Stop the Spread of the New Coronavirus (COVID-19). Created by the NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP), this publication includes a summary of City labor laws for employers and employees as you deal with the impact of COVID-19 on your workplace. Download the publication in:
English | Español (Spanish) | العربية (Arabic) | বাংলা (Bengali) | 简体中文 (Chinese - Simplified) | 繁體中文 (Chinese - Traditional) | Français (French) | Kreyòl Ayisyen (Haitian Creole) | 한국어 (Korean) | Język Polski (Polish) | Русский (Russian) | ردو (Urdu)

Price Gouging is ILLEGAL for ANY Item or Service Needed to Limit the Spread of COVID-19. Your business cannot excessively increase the price you charge customers for any personal or household good or any service that is needed to prevent or limit the spread of or treat the new coronavirus (COVID-19). Learn more.

Licensing Services

We license more than 75,000 businesses in more than 50 industries. You can access many of our licensing services online including:

Applying for a license
Renewing your license
Updating your license information (e.g., change of name, address, etc.)
Link My Account to My DCA Records

Read Online Services - FAQs

Prefer to visit us in person? See our locations.

Get Important Information for:

Car Washes
Employment Agencies
General Vendor Requesting Authorization to Use a General Vendor Helper
General Vendor Waiting List Applicants
Horse Drawn Cabs and Drivers
Laundries
Pedicab Businesses and Drivers
Pregnancy Services Centers
Process Server Industry
Secondhand Clothing Stores
Sidewalk Cafés:
- DCA created an online map that allows businesses to track new and renewal license applications. Learn more.
- Download 2018 consent fees for street space (in PDF)
Tobacco Retail Dealers

Reducing Fines for Small Businesses

July 19, 2017: Department of Consumer of Affairs Announces VIP—the Visiting Inspector Program—to Help New Licensees Understand the Law and Avoid Fines. Read press release and read frequently asked questions about DCA's Visiting Inspector Program (VIP).
July 31, 2015: De Blasio Administration Reduces Fines Assessed by Consumer Affairs on Businesses in Half, Cuts Violations Issued by One Third Over Past Year. Read press release and learn basic rules to avoid common business violations
February 17, 2015: De Blasio Administration Announces 'Small Business First' To Reduce Regulatory Burden On City's Small Businesses. Read press release and learn more about Small Business First
July 9, 2014: Department of Consumer Affairs Announces Sweeping Small Business Relief Package to Overhaul Small Business Regulation and Ramp Up Business Outreach. Read press release and download DCA's Small Business Relief Package (in PDF)
Read Business Owner's Bill of Rights

Additional Quick Links for Businesses:

Pay fines and fees

Cure DCA violation

Learn about 10 Things Every Business Should Know Available in English, Español (Spanish), 中文 (Chinese), Kreyòl Ayisyen (Haitian Creole), 한국어 (Korean), and Русский (Russian)

Read additional tips for businesses

Do you have employees?
Learn about your employer responsibilities on workplace laws.

View our Event Calendar for upcoming Open Houses when small businesses can come to DCA for trainings

Need to have your scales inspected?
Submit a request for a scale inspection online or call 311.

Let us set you up for financial success!
NYC Financial Empowerment Centers offer free financial counseling to help you manage your money well at home and keep your personal and business finances separate.

New York City businesses must comply with all relevant federal, State, and City laws and rules. Visit our Laws webpage.

Find more information about opening or operating a business in New York City at nyc.gov/business.