Food Service Establishment Permit
A Food Service Establishment is a place where food is provided for individual portion service directly to the consumer, whether the food is provided free of charge or sold, and whether the food is consumed on or off the premises.
This includes restaurants, employee cafeterias, bakeries, takeouts, pizzerias, night clubs, cabarets, bars, senior centers, emergency food relief organizations, public and non-public schools, or religious, fraternal and charitable organizations. Such establishments are required to obtain a permit from the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH).
Once you apply for a permit, you can open up 22 days after you submit an application, whether or not you've had a pre-permit inspection. If you'd like to open earlier than 22 days, you can call (212) 676-1600 to schedule a pre-operating inspection.
The permit fee for most food service establishments in New York City is:
- *$280.00, plus $25.00 if you will manufacture a frozen dessert
Read the Application Packet for a New Food Service Establishment for complete requirements and steps to apply for a permit.
Each permitted food establishment will receive an unscheduled annual inspection. The Health Department offers tools and guidance to help operators practice A-Grade food safety.
Visit www.nyc.gov/health/foodservice for comprehensive, up-to-date information about operating your restaurant safely and in compliance with the NYC Health Code and other statutes.
Refer to the Requirements Checklist for basic documentation and other requirements needed to apply for a permit from the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH), some of which depend on the type of business that will be given the permit.
Will your new food service establishment be wheelchair friendly? Review the requirements for obtaining a Wheelchair Friendly decal, issued by the City of New York, that can be posted at the entrance of your establishment. You will be required to complete a brief survey. You can submit the completed survey form with your new permit application documents when you apply in person, or you may complete it online when you apply for your new permit. If you qualify, you will receive the decal in the mail.
All outstanding fines imposed for Health Code Violations must be paid before you can apply for or renew a permit or registration 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 Citywide Licensing Center (appointment required).
- In person or online at the NYC Department of Finance
- Online at nyc.gov/business. Select Violations and then Pay Your Violation
All Food Service Establishment facilities must have a supervising manager who has passed a Food Protection Course on site at all times. A Food Protection Certificate (FPC) or registration in the course is required at the time of applying for the permit, and certification is required prior to opening the business establishment.
Restaurant operators should encourage additional staff to obtain a food protection certificate to ensure there is coverage of an FPC holder during all hours of operation and to have more staff trained in food safety procedures and avoid fines.
Proof of a Certificate of Authority to Collect Sales Tax. The address on the Certificate must match that of the applicant or establishment for which an application is being submitted.
It may take weeks to receive your Certificate so factor that into your timeline for submission of your permit 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. The certificate must list the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene as the Certificate Holder.
Or, if your business is exempt from obtaining this insurance (meaning you have no employees), obtain a Form CE-200 stamped by the Worker's Compensation Board with the New York State-assigned Exemption Certificate Number.
It may take some time to obtain your insurance coverage or the CE-200 form, so factor that into your timeline for submission.
Workers' Compensation Insurance and Disability Benefits Insurance
If someone other than the business owner will be submitting the application, a completed Power of Attorney / Authority to Act form is required. The person submitting the application on behalf of the business owner must also show a form of acceptable photo identification.
List of Permit Fees
Permit fee varies by type of permit (type of establishment and activities). If your food establishment will manufacture frozen desserts, you will either pay an additional fee of $25 when you apply for your food service establishment permit or if you add this service after you open.
List of accepted payment methods.
- Check (made payable to NYC DOHMH): accepted only when applying in person
- Government Check (made payable to NYC DOHMH): accepted only when applying in person
- Money Order (made payable to NYC DOHMH): accepted only when applying in person
- American Express
- Discover
- MasterCard
- Visa
You may begin to operate 22 days after you submit your permit application, whether or not you have been issued a permit.
The NYC Health Department will conduct an unannounced pre-permit inspection after you open.
Applicants can check the status of an online application by signing into the Health Department online permitting system and selecting Search Applications, or by calling 311 and asking for status of a Health Department permit application.
All holders of a NYC Health Department permit or license must ensure that the Department has your current email address and mailing address on file. We will use these addresses for official communication about your permit/license.
Food service establishments can update contact information, including email addresses, by completing and submitting an Amendment Form for a Health Department Permit or License.''
You can also update your contact information when you renew your permit online at nyc.gov/dohmhpermits.
Read about your rights as the owner of a New York City food service establishment.
Each permitted food establishment will receive an unscheduled annual inspection. The Health Department offers tools and guidance to help operators practice A-Grade food safety.
All holders of a NYC Health Department permit or license must ensure that the Department has your current email address and mailing address on file. We will use these addresses for official communication about your permit/license.
Food service establishments can update contact information, including email addresses, by completing and submitting an Amendment Form for a Health Department Permit or License.''
You can also update your contact information when you renew your permit online at nyc.gov/dohmhpermits.
Food Service Establishments issued a summons for Notices of Violation (NOVs) during an inspection may receive a settlement offer in the mail. By settling and paying the settlement amount in full before the hearing date, you do not have to appear for a hearing and avoid the possibility of paying a higher fine after a hearing.
Operators of food establishments must follow the regulations and guidelines outlined in Article 81 of the NYC Health Code.
The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) offers a Consultation Service for operating food service establishments to help them perform well on routine inspections and safely serve their customers. Restaurants are eligible for this service only after they have received at least one graded inspection. For more information or to apply call 311 and ask for the restaurant consultative inspection service. The fee for this service is $400.
All chain restaurants (with 15 or more restaurants nationwide) must follow the rules for posting calorie content in their establishments. Additional information is available.
All chain restaurants (with 15 or more restaurants nationwide) must follow the rules for sodium labeling in their establishments. Additional information and a sodium warning compliance guide in multiple languages is available.
All food service establishments must following the guidelines about the use of transfats in preparing food for the public.
Read how food service operators can control pests in the establishments. The presence of pest (insects or rodents) infestations in food service establishments is prohibited by the NYC Health Code. If pests are identified during an inspection, the operator will receive a summons and be fined..
Controlling Pests In Restaurants and Other Food Establishments
Learn about outdoor dining with dogs.
You can find information about food safety and operating guidelines for a food establishment by visiting the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene's Food Service Operator's website.
Is your existing food service establishment wheelchair friendly? If so, then you may be eligible for a Wheelchair Friendly Decal issued by the City of New York, which you can place by your front door. Review the requirements and the easy application process.
Food establishments must display health and safety signs. Failure to display these signs may result in a notice of violation during an inspection.
Checklists and Compliance Tips for New York City Hospitality Employers
Read about your rights as the owner of a New York City food service establishment.
Food Service Establishment permits expire one year from the end of the month in which an application was submitted, regardless of when approval was given. Three months before permits expire, permit holders will receive a notice to remind them to renew their permit.
If you owe any fines, you must pay them before your permit will be renewed
Operators must provide proof of current Worker's Compensation and Disability Insurance every time they renew.
All outstanding fines imposed for Health Code Violations must be paid before you can apply for or renew a permit or registration 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 Citywide Licensing Center (appointment required). (you may submit your application when you pay your fine)
- In person or online at the NYC Department of Finance
- Online at nyc.gov/business. Select Violations and then Pay Your Violation
All outstanding fines imposed for Health Code Violations must be paid before you can apply for or renew a permit or registration 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 Citywide Licensing Center (appointment required).
- In person or online at the NYC Department of Finance
- Online at nyc.gov/business. Select Violations and then Pay Your Violation
Select the Food Service Establishment permit type from the list (this depends on the organization operating the establishment and its non-profit status) and enter the requested information into each field. Restaurants, Cafes, and Bars should select Food Service Establishment (General). Fields with an asterisk (*) are required. Applicants will be requested to upload copies of the documents that are required to be submitted with your application. These documents can be uploaded individually or as a single file.
Note: If you plan to manufacture and serve frozen desserts in your establishment, select Food Service Establishment (general): Also Manufactures Frozen Desserts.
You may begin to operate 22 days after you submit your permit application, whether or not you have been issued a permit.
The NYC Health Department will conduct an unannounced pre-permit inspection after you open.
All outstanding fines imposed for Health Code Violations must be paid before you can apply for or renew a permit or registration 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 Citywide Licensing Center (appointment required). (you may submit your application when you pay your fine)
- In person or online at the NYC Department of Finance
- Online at nyc.gov/business. Select Violations and then Pay Your Violation
Complete the Application for Permit form, the Supplemental Application form, and the Wheelchair Friendly Survey form, if applicable. Forms, along with detailed instructions, can be found in the Application Packet for a Food Service Establishment Permit.
If your food establishment will manufacture and serve frozen desserts, you must obtain an additional permit to do so. You will need to submit a separate application form and payment for this permit.
File all forms, required documentation, and pay the required fees in person at the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) Licensing Center.
You must make an appointment for in person services at DCWP. You can email LicensingAppointments@dcwp.nyc.gov or call (212) 436-0441 to schedule an appointment.
You may begin to operate 22 days after you submit your permit application, whether or not you have been issued a permit.
The NYC Health Department will conduct an unannounced pre-permit inspection after you open.
All outstanding fines imposed for Health Code Violations must be paid before you can apply for or renew a permit or registration 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 Citywide Licensing Center (appointment required). (you may submit your application when you pay your fine)
- In person or online at the NYC Department of Finance
- Online at nyc.gov/business. Select Violations and then Pay Your Violation
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.
All outstanding fines imposed for Health Code Violations must be paid before you can apply for or renew a permit or registration 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 Citywide Licensing Center (appointment required). (you may submit your application when you pay your fine)
- In person or online at the NYC Department of Finance
- Online at nyc.gov/business. Select Violations and then Pay Your Violation
You may renew your permit in person at the DCWP Citywide Licensing Center (appointment required). If you send someone to renew for you, they must present an Authority to Act on your behalf.
All outstanding fines imposed for Health Code Violations must be paid before you can apply for or renew a permit or registration 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 Citywide Licensing Center (appointment required). (you may submit your application when you pay your fine)
- In person or online at the NYC Department of Finance
- Online at nyc.gov/business. Select Violations and then Pay Your Violation
