Operate a Bathing Beach
All bathing beach facilities that are installed, operated, or constructed in the City of New York require a Permit to Operate a Bathing Beach issued by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.
The permit approval process is comprised of three Parts:
• Part I: Application Review • Part II: Construction Compliance Inspection • Part III: Permit Review and Issuance
The permit will be granted when the bathing facility at the beach is designed, constructed and completed in accordance with the New York City Health Code and the New York State Sanitary Code as referenced in the Additional Information section below. Final approval of the permit may include other requirements which DOHMH's Bureau of Public Health Engineering determine are necessary to adequately review and approve the permit.
Review all the forms and requirements needed to apply for a new beach permit.
All outstanding fines imposed for Health Code Violations must be paid before you can apply for or renew a permit issued by the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Fines may be paid in person at the NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) Citywide Licensing Center or Online.
1) A detailed description of the watershed, with location and identification of all potential sources of contamination, including any anticipated future development.
2) Location of access roads, parking, buildings, water supplies, sanitary and storm sewer, electrical and telephone services and proposed facilities relative to existing facilities.
3) Location relative to nearest population center with service facilities, such as medical, fire protection and communication.
4) Maximum and average attendance and swimming loads. Sources, quality, quantity and characteristics of water.
5) Area designation, bottom slopes and material.
Prepare or obtain engineering plans, prepared by a New York State licensed engineer or architect. (Information about identifying a NY state licensed engineer is available at the link above) Three copies of the plans must be submitted with application. Complete the report: Engineering Reports for Bathing Beaches: NYS DOH 2436.
A Sanitary Survey Report prepared by a New York State licensed engineer or architect that includes a survey and an evaluation of the contributory water-shed and bathing area for existing and potential sources of pollution and safety hazards, including soil conditions, underwater topography, water movement, submerged and other hazardous objects, water depth in diving area; seasonal or anticipated water level variations and water quality. The Sanitary Survey Report must be prepared in accordance with requirements contained in Section 6-1.29, 3.0 of New York State Sanitary Code, Chapter 1, Subpart 6-2; Sanitary Survey Report,
Relevant New York State Regulations: New York State Sanitary Code
Obtain copies of Lifeguards' CPR Certificates for those who will be employed to supervise bathers on the premises.
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
List of Permit Fees.
- Permit application fee: $595
- Permit renewal fee: $245
List of accepted payment methods.
- Personal Check (made payable to the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene)
- Certified Check (made payable to the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene)
- Check (Company Check (made payable to the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene))
- Check (Government Check (made payable to the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene))
- Money Order (made payable to the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene)
- American Express (If paying online or in person)
- Discover (If paying online or in person)
- MasterCard (If paying online or in person)
- Visa (If paying online or in person)
It is not required that you submit all of your technical and safety plans with your initial application. Once you submit your application, supplemental form, fee and basic documentation required for any permit from the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) - see Checklist of Required Documentation found in your application packet - you will work with the DOHMH Office of Public Health Engineering to complete the permit application process.
It is not required that you submit all of your technical and safety plans with your initial application. Once you submit your application, supplemental form, fee and basic documentation required for any permit from the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) - see Checklist of Required Documentation found in your application packet - you will work with the DOHMH Office of Public Health Engineering to complete the permit application process.
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
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.
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
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
Relevant New York State Regulations: New York State Sanitary Code
Search for New York State Licensed Engineers or Architects
Relevant Health Code and Rules
New York State Department of Health Information about Bathing Facilities
NYS Life Guard CPR Certification Information