Bathing Establishment without Pool (Steam Room, Sauna and Spray Ground)

You need a permit to run a bathing place without a pool in New York City. This includes steam rooms, saunas and spray grounds.

The permit process has three parts:

• Part I: Application review

• Part II: Construction inspection

• Part III: Permit review and issuance

You will get the permit when the bathing place meets the New York City Health Code and the New York State Sanitary Code. The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene's Office of Public Health Engineering may have other rules for final approval.

• Contact the NYC Health Department: Call or email the NYC Health Department, Office of Public Health Engineering. They will help you with your documents and plans.
  
  NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH)
  Office of Public Health Engineering/Building Water Supply
  42-09 28th Street, CN-56
  Long Island City, NY 11101
  Email: phe@health.nyc.govPhone: 718-786-6004

• Review permit instructions: Read the Bathing Establishment without a Pool Permit instructions.
  Application and instructions for a Bathing Establishment (without Pool) Permit

• Review additional forms for spray ground: If you want a spray ground, read about the extra forms needed.
  Additional forms and requirements to apply for a Spray Ground Permit (PDF)

• Complete PHE Form 100: Fill out PHE Form 100.
  Form PHE 100 - Application for Approval of Plans and Specifications (PDF)

• Complete PHE Form 88: Fill out PHE Form 88.
  PHE Form 88 (PDF)

• Prepare a floor layout plan: Get a floor layout plan with detailed sizes. An NY State licensed engineer or architect must prepare it.

• Get a Certificate of Occupancy: Get a copy of the Certificate of Occupancy from the NYC Department of Buildings. A Temporary Certificate of Occupancy or Letter of Acceptance is also okay.
  Learn more about the Certificate of Occupancy.

• Sauna permit: If you want a sauna permit, the Certificate of Occupancy must include approval for electrical work or a separate Certificate of Inspection for electrical work.

• Steam room permit: If you want a steam room permit, the Certificate of Occupancy must include approval for plumbing or a separate Certificate of Inspection for plumbing.

• Requirements checklist: Check the Requirements Checklist for basic documents and other needs.
  Requirements Checklist - all DOHMH permits

• Proof of insurance: Provide proof of workers' compensation and disability insurance. Include the name of the insurance carrier, policy number and expiration date. If exempt, provide Form CE-200 stamped by the Workers' Compensation Board. The certificate must list the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene as the Certificate Holder.
  New York State Workers' Compensation

• Pay outstanding fines: Pay all outstanding fines for Health Code violations before applying for or renewing a permit. You can pay fines at 66 John St., 10th floor, New York, NY 10038, or online.
  Pay outstanding fines online
  
  NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP)
  Licensing Center
  42 Broadway
  New York, NY 10004
  Email: onlineappsdocs@dcwp.nyc.gov

• Valid email address: You need a valid email address if applying online.

• Permit fees: The first permit application fee is $1,120. The yearly renewal fee is $260.

• Accepted payment methods:

  • Personal check (made payable to the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene)
  • Certified check (made payable to the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, if paying in person)
  • Company check (made payable to the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, if paying in person)
  • Government check (made payable to the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, if paying in person)
  • Money order (made payable to the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, if paying in person)
  • American Express (if paying in person or online)
  • Discover (if paying in person or online)
  • Mastercard (if paying in person or online)
  • Visa (if paying in person or online)

• In-person submission: If you turned in your application in person, the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) will give you a receipt.
• Online submission: If you turned in your application online, you will get a receipt by email.
• Check application status: You can check the status of your application by calling the NYC Department of Health, Office of Public Health Engineering at 718-310-2850.

To see the Health Codes for this permit, go to www.nyc.gov/healthcode and select Article 165.

Getting a permit from the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) does not cover all rules. You must also get other permits and licenses from other City and State Agencies. If you do not follow all rules, your DOHMH permit may be suspended until you do.

• Gather documents: Collect all documents needed to apply for this permit.

• Create electronic versions: Make electronic versions of each document. Accepted formats include PDF, JPG, GIF, PNG, XLS, XLSX, DOC, DOCX, VSD and TXT.

• Create an account: Create an account with the NYC Online Licensing system. You can save partially completed applications and return to them later. Have your credit or debit card information ready for payment.

• Select permit type: Choose the type of permit you are applying for and fill in the required fields. When asked, upload each document one by one.

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

• Review documentation: Carefully review all documents needed to apply for this permit.
  Application and instructions to apply for a Bathing Establishment (without Pool) Permit

• Additional forms for spray ground: If you want a spray ground, read about the extra forms needed.
  Additional forms and requirements to apply for a Spray Ground Permit (PDF)

• Submit in person: Bring all completed forms and documents to the DCWP Citywide Licensing Center. Applications are not accepted by mail.

• NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP)
  Licensing Center
  42 Broadway, Lobby
  New York, NY 10004

• Applications for new permits are not accepted by mail.

• You can renew online using the NYC Online Licensing system. You need to register first.
• You cannot renew if you have unpaid fines. Pay fines online before renewing.
• To renew online for the first time: You need the Personal Identification Number (PIN) from your Renewal Notice. The PIN links your permits to one online account. Use the PIN once for each permit.
• If you do not have your Renewal Notice: Get your PIN by filling out an online PIN Request Form or by calling 311.
• Note: If you need to upload documents, you will need the Microsoft Silverlight application.
  PIN Request Form

• You can renew your permit in person at the DCWP Citywide Licensing Center. If someone else renews for you, they must have an Authority to Act form.
  Authority to Act form (PDF)
  
  NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP)
  Licensing Center
  42 Broadway, Lobby
  New York, NY 10004

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