Non-Tobacco Hookah Establishment Permit

The Smoke-Free Air Act of 2002 says you cannot serve or smoke shisha containing tobacco in NYC restaurants and bars. An amendment to this law also bans serving or smoking non-tobacco shisha unless you have a permit.

If you think your business is a non-tobacco hookah establishment, you had 180 days from the effective date of the local law to apply for a permit.

The deadline to apply for a non-tobacco hookah permit is now closed to new applicants.

Current permit holders can renew their Non-Tobacco Hookah Establishment Permit online.

• Fill out the form: You need to fill out the "Questionnaire for Applicants for a Permit to Operate a Non-Tobacco Hookah Establishment" to see if you are eligible for this permit.
  Questionnaire for Applicants for a Permit to Operate a Non-Tobacco Hookah Establishment (PDF)

• Pay all fines: You must pay all fines for Health Code Violations before renewing your permit. You can review and pay fines at 66 John St., 10th floor, New York, NY 10038, or online at nyc.gov/citypay (select option #6). You can also pay in person at the NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) Citywide Licensing Center.
  Pay outstanding fines online
  
  NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP)
  Licensing Center
  42 Broadway, Lobby
  New York, NY 10004
  Email: onlineappsdocs@dcwp.nyc.gov

• Show proof of insurance: You must show proof of Workers' Compensation and Disability Insurance when you apply for or renew your permit. This includes the insurance carrier's name, policy number and expiration date. If you are exempt, provide Form CE-200 stamped by the Workers' Compensation Board with the 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

• Submit power of attorney if needed: If someone other than the business owner submits the application, a completed Power of Attorney/Authority to Act form is needed. The person must also show an acceptable photo ID.
  Authority to Act Form (PDF)

• Pay the renewal fee: The permit renewal fee is $25.00. You can pay by:

  • Check (made payable to the New York City Department of Health & Mental Hygiene, accepted only in person)
  • Government check (made payable to the New York City Department of Health & Mental Hygiene, accepted only in person)
  • Money order (made payable to the New York City Department of Health & Mental Hygiene, accepted only in person)
  • American Express, Discover, MasterCard and Visa

• Register and pay fines: 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.

• Use your PIN: To renew online for the first time, you need the Personal Identification Number (PIN) from your Renewal Notice. The PIN links your records to one online account. You only need to link each permit or license record once.

• If you do not have your Renewal Notice, get your PIN by completing 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

• Complete and bring forms: Complete, sign and bring the form and questionnaire with the needed documents and renewal fee to:
  
  NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP)
  Licensing Center
  42 Broadway, Lobby
  New York, NY 10004
  Email: onlineappsdocs@dcwp.nyc.gov

• Complete and send forms: Complete, sign and return the form and questionnaire with the needed documents and renewal fee to:
  
  DOHMH ELP
  P.O. Box 22137
  New York, NY 10087-2137

  You can pay by check or money order made payable to the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC DOHMH). For Overnight/Courier Delivery, send to:

  J.P. Morgan Chase
  Lockbox Processing
  4 Chase Metrotech Center, 7th Floor East
  Brooklyn, NY 11245
  Attn: DOHMH ELP 22137