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What's required to do business in New York City?

Select your business type for a summary of key steps for meeting government regulations when starting your business.

Create a Business Plan

Develop your business idea. Every business starts as an idea. Take advantage of free courses to translate your idea into a business plan. REGISTER FOR BUSINESS PLANNING COURSES

Seek out advice. Get feedback on your business idea and plan. SBS offers hands-on, intensive instruction for your business plan and connects you with a business coach. SIGN UP FOR CLASSES

Understand your industry. Each industry has different demands. If you are a NYCHA resident, the City offers specific programs to help build a food or childcare business. LEARN MORE ABOUT PROGRAMS FOR NYCHA RESIDENTS

Write your business plan. A business plan is a living document that serves as a roadmap for your business. Here is an online guide to create your business plan

Register Your Business

Choose a legal structure. This will determine who will own and be legally responsible for your business and affects how you file your taxes. GET FREE ADVICE ON LEGAL STRUCTURES

Register your business. Corporations, Limited Liability Companies, and Limited Partnerships register with New York State. General Partnerships and Sole Proprietorships register with the appropriate County Clerk. GET FREE LEGAL ADVICE

Apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN), also known as a Federal Tax ID Number. If you are a sole proprietor, you may be able to use your Social Security Number instead. LEARN MORE ABOUT EIN

Register as a Sales Tax Vendor with the NYS Department of Taxation and Finance in order to sell products and services. Apply early to avoid delays receiving other permits. LEARN MORE ABOUT THE SALES TAX VENDOR CERTIFICATE

Research required insurance such as workers' compensation, liability, and disability insurance. Some are needed for permits and licenses and protect you from loss, fines, and lawsuits.

Finance Your Business

Determine your financing needs. To start your business, you will need money or capital to purchase equipment and run your operations. Increase your chances of getting financing for your business.

Identify incentive programs. Your business can benefit from programs that allow you to lower your cost of doing business. SBS can help you identify and access energy cost savings, tax credits, and other incentives. LEARN MORE ABOUT INCENTIVES

Understand your insurance needs, such as workers' compensation, liability, and disability insurance. Some are needed for permits and licenses and protect you from loss, fines, and lawsuits. Managing risk is an essential part of your business. LEARN MORE ABOUT INSURANCE

Find, Plan, and Build Out Your Space

Find a location zoned for your business, and at the legally required distance from a school or place of worship if you plan to serve alcohol. Your business location and the opinion of the local Community Board will be reviewed for your liquor license application. LEARN MORE ABOUT ZONING REQUIREMENTS

Learn more about zoning in your neighborhood with the Department of City Planning's ZoLa map. USE THE ZOLA MAP

Learn about facilities and program sites in your prospective neighborhood that might impact your business on the Department of City Planning's Facilities Explorer. USE THE FACILITIES EXPLORER

Get help understanding and signing your lease. Before signing, talk to a lawyer to make sure the timing is right, the terms are legal, and the agreement is good for you. GET FREE COMMERCIAL LEASE ASSISTANCE THROUGH SBS

Review your building plans for major and minor construction within your space. The NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS) offers free plan examinations, and experienced client managers can help you navigate the process. GET HELP WITH PLAN EXAMINATIONS

Plan your food establishment design. Select and engage architect(s), general contractor(s), and/or interior and kitchen designers to plan any changes and ensure that your space complies with building and fire codes. Make sure your architect and/or contractor is licensed.

Changes to a landmarked property or building in a historic district must be approved by the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission before work can begin. Allow time to receive approval. LEARN MORE ABOUT WORK ON LANDMARKED PROPERTIES

If your location will host events where 75 people or more will gather, you will need a Place of Assembly Permit. LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PLACE OF ASSEMBLY PERMIT

Plan to limit noise from your establishment to avoid fines and do not play music in front of your business to attract customers. LEARN MORE ABOUT THE NOISE CODE

Limit construction noise. You must create and post a noise mitigation plan to keep noises from bothering neighbors. Failure to do so can result in fines. LEARN ABOUT CONSTRUCTION NOISE REGULATIONS

Free bike racks for the sidewalk outside your business can be requested from the NYC Department of Transportation. LEARN MORE ABOUT FREE BIKE RACKS

Hire a private carting service and set up your space to comply with commercial recycling rules. LEARN MORE ABOUT HIRING A PRIVATE CARTER

Your construction should match what your business permits require. Make sure your licensed professional plans spaces and utilities connections to match the requirements of your business permits.

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Prepare to Open

Schedule your pre-operational inspections with the NYC Fire Department (FDNY). SCHEDULE PRE-OPERATIONAL INSPECTIONS

Avoid common violations and fines. SBS offers free compliance consultations that can save you time and money. GET HELP WITH LICENSES AND PERMITS

Learn about the Federal, State, and City requirements and the permits your business will need by using the STEP BY STEP TOOL.

Set-up your space to maximize recycling and avoid violations. Attend a DSNY training and download or order educational materials. ATTEND A TRAINING

Post applicable worker protection posters. Follow Federal as well as New York State requirements. DOWNLOAD POSTERS

Post prices, refund policy, and other required signs from the NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection. LEARN MORE ABOUT POSTING AND SIGNAGE REQUIREMENTS

Hire a Team

The minimum wage for all employees in New York City is $15.00 per hour starting December 31, 2019. Businesses that violate this law will be punished. LEARN MORE ABOUT MINIMUM WAGE

Recruit talented staff that will contribute to the success of your business. NYC Department of Small Business Services can help you save time and money. GET HELP HIRING A TEAM

Train your employees, so that your team has the skills your business needs. LEARN MORE ABOUT EMPLOYEE TRAINING

Clarify your unemployment insurance requirements. Contact the New York State Department of Labor for more information. LEARN ABOUT UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE

Clarify your workers' compensation insurance requirements. Contact the New York State Department of Labor for more information. LEARN ABOUT WORKERS' COMPENSATION INSURANCE

Be sure to comply with all applicable laws involving employee wages, including living wage, sick leave, and transit benefits. LEARN MORE ABOUT WAGE LAWS

Open and Operate

Display licenses and required posters.

Give customers clear receipts. Show prices and print your business name and address on your invoices and receipts.

Prepare and pay your taxes. LEARN ABOUT TAXES IN NYC

Give customers clear invoices. Show prices and print your business name and address.

Get permits and limit air pollution. If you release fumes into the air, you may be subject to the New York City Air Pollution Control Code (Air Code).

Hazardous materials above threshold amounts must be registered under NYC Department of Environmental Protection’s Right-to-Know program. Many common materials such as paint, solvents, inks, pool chemicals, and cleaning products can have hazardous characteristics. LEARN MORE ABOUT RIGHT-TO-KNOW

All vehicles may only idle as permitted or face fines. As a general rule of thumb, no person should allow the engine of a motor vehicle to idle for longer than three minutes while parking, unless it is an authorized emergency motor vehicle, or a vehicle using an engine to operate a loading device. The legal idling time is reduced to one minute if the vehicle is parked adjacent to a school facility. LEARN MORE ABOUT IDLING REGULATIONS

Watch for asbestos. A licensed asbestos investigator must determine if asbestos is present, and if so then a licensed abatement contractor must contain it and give notice to NYC Department of Environmental Protection before you can demolish or renovate the structure. LEARN MORE ABOUT ASBESTOS RULES AND REGULATIONS

Train your employees on sexual harassment prevention. You must do so under state law. LEARN MORE ABOUT SEXUAL HARASSMENT TRAINING

Learn which permits, licenses, and regulations matter to you

Use the Step by Step Tool to get an exhaustive list of requirements that matter to you.

10 Minutes or less
It takes the average person about 10 minutes to complete the questionnaire.
Avoid Fines & Complaints
It takes the average person about 10 minutes to complete the questionnaire.
Resources and Incentives
Many businesses qualify for money-saving incentive programs. For some incentive programs, you can try the Incentives Estimator to provide dollar-value estimates of the benefit that you might receive.

Use the Step by Step Tool

The City has tried to provide you with correct information on this website. While every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided is accurate and up-to-date, errors are still possible. The information provided is not legal advice. You may need additional information to meet the legal requirements for starting or operating your business.