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Select a topic below for information to help you and your business.
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Call 888-SBS-4NYC or visit nyc.gov/financingassistance for questions or additional information on funding opportunities for your business.
Alcoholic Beverage Control Law §106 contains new privileges for on premises licensees to serve liquor and wine for takeout and delivery.
Learn more about the law, NYS Liquor Authority Guidance, and FAQ here.
(Available in multiple languages by clicking the "Translate" button at top of page.)
Drinks To-Go Guidance for Licensed Venues (English, pdf)
The NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) resumed conducting full inspections on July 19, 2021, including issuing letter grades and summonses subject to fines.
The NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS) can help you with your licensing, permits, and compliance. Call the SBS hotline to ask for help: 888-SBS-4NYC (888-727-4692).
Learn more about the DOHMH Inspection Process here.
On July 5, 2021, the mayor signed two bills expanding protections for fast food workers in New York City. Together, these bills protect fast food workers from being fired without "just cause" or for a bona fide economic reason.
The NYC Department of Sanitation has implemented a new rule to reduce the time that trash, recycling, and curbside composting will sit on sidewalks. As of April 1, 2023, businesses that place waste at the curb* for collection have two setout options:
*This does not apply to businesses that have waste collected from loading docks or other off-street locations.
NOTE: There will be a one-month grace period – businesses will receive written warnings until May 1, 2023. Written warnings will be tracked, and warning recipients will be among the first places inspected for compliance in May.
Learn more about setout times.
As of November 1, 2021, food service establishments (including, but not limited to, full-service restaurants, fast food restaurants, cafes, delicatessens, coffee shops, bars, nightclubs, grocery stores, vending trucks, or carts and cafeterias) in NYC are restricted from providing single-use plastic beverage straws, stirrers, and splash sticks to customers as follows:
Food service establishments who violate the provisions of this bill will be liable for civil penalties. Learn more here.
Due to the success of the emergency Open Restaurants Program during COVID-19, the City of New York is working to create a permanent Open Restaurants program. This program will be managed by the NYC Department of Transportation (DOT) and allow restaurants to use the sidewalk adjacent to their business and curbside roadway space in front of their business for outdoor dining. To make this program permanent, the laws that control outdoor dining in non-emergency situations must be changed. Download the brochure.
Establishments seeking permission to place outdoor seating in front of their establishment on the sidewalk and/or roadway should apply for the Open Restaurants Program.
Note: This application is only for establishments seeking permissions to place outdoor seating in front of their establishment on the sidewalk and/or roadway. You do not need to apply if you are looking to place outdoor seating on private property. You must complete an application and certify even if you already have a NYC sidewalk cafe license.
Learn More and Apply for the Open Restaurant Program
For help completing the application, please call the SBS hotline: 888-SBS-4NYC (888-727-4692).
NYC Open Restaurants Supplemental FAQ (PDF).
During an active snow alert:
Download the Plastic Water-Filled Barriers How-Tos Flyer (PDF).
As restaurants expand outdoor seating, we cannot forget about accessibility. This information lays out the requirements for maintaining physical accessibility for outdoor dining.
SBS offers one-on-one free compliance consultations to help you understand how to comply with key City rules. Our consultations will help you understand key City rules and common compliance challenges related to the Open Restaurants Program - we will not issue violations or fines.
Business owners are encouraged to request a consultation if they:
You can sign up for a free Compliance Consultation service by logging into your SBS Connect account or creating a new account using the link below..
Sign Up for a Compliance Consultation
Participants in the Open Restaurants program interested in providing comfort heating for their customers in outdoor dining areas have two options:
As of June 1, 2021, propane-fueled heaters are not allowed to be used or stored in outdoor dining areas.
Food service establishments with private outdoor dining spaces may use heating devices subject to the applicable guidance from FDNY and/or DOB.
NYC's Open Streets program allows communities to embrace new public space and support small businesses. Open Streets prioritize pedestrians and cyclists by transforming streets into public space. This program allows for a range of activities and supports local businesses and schools.
Open Streets are coordinated in partnership with local community organizations. Public and private schools may also submit an application for Open Streets. All applications must be submitted by the school administration.
For questions about the Open Restaurants program, self-certification process, or translation assistance with the application, please contact DOT online.
Is your restaurant struggling to find staff?
Hospitality Hire is a no-cost recruitment resource to help meet the immediate staffing needs of restaurant businesses citywide.
Our Workforce1 Career Centers can tap our pool of 100,000+ candidates to identify qualified individuals to meet your Front-of-House and Back-of-House hiring needs by:
For more information or to view a webinar recording, please use the following links:
Submit a request for hiring assistance here.
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.
