Restaurant Permit

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Open Restaurants

Open Restaurants is a year-round program that allows bars and restaurants to place outdoor seating in front of their establishment on the sidewalk or roadway.

Learn more about the program on the Open Restaurants page.

Restaurant Permit In-Person Assistance

For health and safety reasons, the DCA Licensing Center and NYC Small Business Support Center cannot serve walk-ins, but you can schedule an appointment:

Other Services 

  • You can apply for or renew a permit online.
  • NYC Health Department permits and licenses, except Mobile Food Vending, must be renewed by August 14, 2021. This applies to permits and licenses that had remained valid after their expiration date and did not have to be immediately renewed due to New York City’s Emergency Executive Orders. This extension of time to renew has now ended.

Visit the Department of Health's permits and licenses page.

You must have a Food Service Establishment Permit to serve food or drinks at a restaurant or eatery or to use a shared kitchen. 

If you apply for this permit, you must register for a Food Protection Course. You must complete the course before you can get your permit.

Food establishments with a frozen dessert machine must also have a Frozen Dessert Manufacturer Permit. 

You must display all permits at the restaurant.

Fees

The permit fee is $280.

The permit renewal fee is $280 per year.

Expiration Date

The license expires after 1 year on staggered dates.

You can request a license application packet, which includes forms and information about requirements.

Online

Visit the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene's permit page.

By Mail

Call 311 to request a paper copy.

Online

Visit the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene's permit page.

In Person

If you’re applying in person, you will have to complete an application and bring it to the Department of Consumer Affairs Licensing Center or the NYC Small Business Support Center.

  • DCA Licensing Center
    42 Broadway
    New York, NY 10004
    Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
    Wed: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
  • NYC Small Business Support Center
    90-27 Sutphin Boulevard, 4th Floor
    Jamaica, NY 11435
    Mon: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

The centers are closed on major holidays. If you need to take an exam, you should arrive before 3 PM.

Several weeks before your permit expires, the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene will mail you a renewal package.

You can renew online or submit your application in person or by mail.

Online

To renew online, you need to have a Personal Identification Number (PIN) issued by the NYC Health Department.

Renew online.

In Person

You can drop off your completed application and any required documents at the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) Licensing Center or the NYC Small Business Support Center. General information and assistance are also available.

  • DCA Licensing Center
    42 Broadway
    New York, NY 10004
    Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
    Wed: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
     
  • NYC Small Business Support Center
    90-27 Sutphin Boulevard, 4th Floor
    Jamaica, NY 11435
    Mon: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM 

The centers are closed on major holidays. If you need to take an exam, you should arrive before 3 PM.

By Mail

To renew by mail, follow the instructions on your renewal notice.

You can get the status of your application.

Call 311 for assistance.

If you’re using the NYC Health Department online license and permit system, you can get help with:

  • Renewing your permit
  • Payment problems
  • Obtaining a PIN
  • Linking or relinking a PIN
  • Resetting user names or passwords
  • Problems uploading documents
  • Error messages
  • Web page not loading
  • Button not responding

Online

Submit a help request online.

By Phone

Call 311 for assistance.

You can get answers to license-specific questions and information about application requirements.

Call 311 for assistance.

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