Non-Tobacco Hookah Establishment Permit
Under the Smoke-Free Air Act of 2002, serving or smoking shisha containing tobacco is prohibited in NYC restaurants and bars. A recent amendment to this law now bans establishments from serving or smoking non-tobacco shisha unless they have obtained a permit to operate as a non-tobacco hookah establishment.
Any entity that in good faith believes itself to be a non-tobacco hookah establishment shall have 180 days from the effective date of the local law to apply to the department for a permit as a non-tobacco hookah establishment.
The deadline to apply for a non-Tobacco hookah establishment is closed to all new applicants.
Existing permit holders may now renew their Non-Tobacco Hookah Establishment Permit online.
You must first complete the "Questionnaire for Applicants for a Permit to Operate a Non-Tobacco Hookah Establishment" to determine if your establishment is eligible for this permit.
Questionnaire for Applicants for Permit to Operate a Non-Tobacco Hookah Establishment
All outstanding fines imposed for Health Code Violations must be paid before you can 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.
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.
Workers' Compensation Insurance and Disability Benefits Insurance
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.
The permit renewal fee is $25.00.
List of accepted payment methods.
- Check (made payable to the New York City Department of Health & Mental Hygiene (accepted only when applying in person)
- Government Check (made payable to the New York City Department of Health & Mental Hygiene (accepted only when applying in person)
- Money Order (made payable to the New York City Department of Health & Mental Hygiene (accepted only when applying in person)
- American Express, Discover, MasterCard and Visa
Renewals may be submitted online via the NYC Online Licensing system. Registration is required. You will not be permitted to renew a permit if you have outstanding fines. You can pay fines online before renewing.
To renew online for the first time, you will need the Personal Identification Number (PIN) found on your Renewal Notice for each permit or license you hold. The PIN will allow you to link your existing records to one single online account. You only need to use your PIN to link to each permit or license record once.
If you do not have access to your Renewal Notice, you may obtain your PIN(s) by completing an online PIN Request Form or by calling 311.
Note: If you need to upload any documents, you will be prompted to download the Microsoft Silverlight application.
Please complete, sign and return the completed form and questionnaire with the necessary documents and renewal fee by mail to:
DOHMH ELP
P.O. Box 22137
New York, N.Y. 10087-2137
Acceptable payment methods include check or money order made payable to the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC DOHMH). For Overnight/Courier Delivery, please send to:
J.P. Morgan Chase
Lockbox Processing
4 Chase Metrotech Center, 7th Floor East
Brooklyn, N.Y. 11245
Attn: DOHMH ELP 22137