Operate a Bathing Beach

All bathing beaches in New York City need a Permit to Operate a Bathing Beach issued by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH).

The permit approval process has three parts:

• Part I: Application Review
• Part II: Construction Compliance Inspection
• Part III: Permit Review and Issuance

You will get the permit when your beach meets the New York City Health Code and the New York State Sanitary Code. The DOHMH Bureau of Public Health Engineering may have other rules for final approval.

• Review forms and requirements: Check all the forms and rules needed to apply for a new beach permit.

• Pay outstanding fines: Pay all fines for Health Code Violations before you apply for or renew a permit. You can pay fines in person at the NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) Citywide Licensing Center or pay fines online.

  • NYC DCWP
    Licensing Center
    42 Broadway, Lobby
    New York, NY 10004
    onlineappsdocs@dcwp.nyc.gov

• Submit a transmittal letter: Your letter must include:

  • A detailed description of the watershed, including possible sources of contamination and future development
  • Location of access roads, parking, buildings, water supplies, sanitary and storm sewer services, electrical and telephone services, and proposed facilities relative to existing ones
  • Location relative to the nearest population center with service facilities like medical and fire protection
  • Maximum and average attendance and swimming loads
  • Sources, quality, quantity and characteristics of water
  • Area designation, bottom slopes and material

• Prepare engineering plans: Get engineering plans prepared by a New York State licensed engineer or architect. Submit three copies of the plans with your application. Complete Engineering Reports for Bathing Beaches: NYS DOH 2436.

• Prepare a Sanitary Survey Report: A New York State licensed engineer or architect must prepare the Sanitary Survey Report. It includes a survey and evaluation of the watershed and bathing area for pollution and safety hazards. The Sanitary Survey Report must be prepared according to Section 6-1.29, 3.0 of New York State Sanitary Code, Chapter 1, Subpart 6-2; Sanitary Survey Report.
  New York State Sanitary Code - Relevant Sections

• Create a Beach Safety Plan: Once construction is complete, create a Beach Safety Plan detailing policies and procedures for normal operation and emergencies. The plan must include daily bather supervision, injury prevention, plans for emergencies and injuries, and plans for providing first aid and summoning help. Keep the approved plan accessible at all times. For more information, call the Office of Public Health Engineering at 347-396-6001.

• Update the Beach Safety Plan: The owner or beach operator must review and update the Beach Safety Plan periodically. Submit all changes to the Office of Public Health Engineering for approval.

• Provide lifeguards' CPR certificates: Obtain copies of CPR certificates for all lifeguards who will supervise bathers. Review CPR certification information.

• Provide proof of insurance: Submit proof of Workers' Compensation and Disability Insurance, including the insurance carrier's name, policy number and expiration date. If exempt, submit Form CE-200 stamped by the Workers' Compensation Board. The certificate must list the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) as the Certificate Holder.

• Have a valid email address: A valid email address is required if applying online.

• Pay applicable permit fees:

  • Permit application fee: $595
  • Permit renewal fee: $245

• Review accepted payment methods:

  • Personal check (made payable to DOHMH)
  • Certified check (made payable to DOHMH)
  • Company check (made payable to DOHMH)
  • Government check (made payable to DOHMH)
  • Money order (made payable to DOHMH)
  • 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)

• In-person submission: If you submitted your application in person, the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) will give you a receipt.
• Online submission: If you submitted your application online, you will get a receipt by email.
• Check application status: You can check your application status by calling the NYC Department of Health, Office of Public Health Engineering at 347-396-6001.

• The Beach Safety Plan: The owner or beach operator will review and update this plan often. They must send all changes to the Office of Public Health Engineering for approval.
• For all rules and requirements, read the NYC Health Code, Article 167.

• Submit initial application: You do not need to submit all technical and safety plans with your initial Bathing Beach Permit application. Submit your application, supplemental form, fee and basic documentation required for any permit from the DOHMH.

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

• Prepare electronic versions: Make individual electronic versions of each supporting document for uploading. Accepted file types include PDF, JPG, GIF, PNG, XLS, XLSX, DOC, DOCX, VSD and TXT.

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

• Enter information: Select the type of permit you are applying for and enter the requested information. Fields with an asterisk (*) are required. Upload copies of required documents individually.

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

• Submit initial application: You do not need to submit all technical and safety plans with your initial Bathing Beach Permit application. Submit your application, supplemental form, fee and basic documentation required for any permit from the DOHMH.

• Complete and sign forms: Complete and sign an Application for a Permit, the application Supplemental Form and gather all required documentation. Submit all documents and the permit application fee in person to the DCWP Citywide Licensing Center.

  • NYC DCWP
    Licensing Center
    42 Broadway, Lobby
    New York, NY 10004

• No mail applications: Applications for new permits are not accepted by mail.

• Submit proof of Workers' Compensation and Disability Insurance: Include the name of the insurance company, the policy number and the expiration date. If you are exempt, send a copy of Form CE-200 stamped by the Workers' Compensation Board. The certificate must list the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) as the Certificate Holder.
• Renewals may be submitted online: Use the NYC Online Licensing system. You need to register first. You cannot renew a permit if you have unpaid fines. You can 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 records to one online account. You only need to use your PIN once for each permit or license.

If you do not have your Renewal Notice, you can get your PIN by filling out an online PIN Request Form or by calling 311.

Note: If you need to upload any documents, you will be asked to download the Microsoft Silverlight application.

• Submit proof of Workers' Compensation and Disability Insurance: Include the name of the insurance company, the policy number and the expiration date. If you are exempt, send a copy of Form CE-200 stamped by the Workers' Compensation Board. The certificate must list the DOHMH as the Certificate Holder.
• Submit the completed renewal notice: Include Workers' Compensation information, any other required documents and payment to the DCWP Citywide Licensing Center.

NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP)
Licensing Center
42 Broadway, Lobby
New York, NY 10004
onlineappsdocs@dcwp.nyc.gov

• Submit proof of Workers' Compensation and Disability Insurance: Include the name of the insurance company, the policy number and the expiration date. If you are exempt, send a copy of Form CE-200 stamped by the Workers' Compensation Board. The certificate must list the DOHMH as the Certificate Holder.
• Follow the instructions on your Renewal Notice to renew by mail.