Who needs a food service establishment permit in New York?

Issued by New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene; elsewhere the county health department, at step 4 of 6 in the opening sequence: get the permits for your kind of business.

9 of the 20 kinds of business in New York

In the city, apply online, then either open 22 days after applying or call for a pre-operating inspection to open sooner; the permit follows a passed inspection. Outside the city, the county health department issues the permit after plan review.

Checked Oct 17, 2026 against the agency’s page.

Step 4 of 6: Get the permits for your kind of business

  1. Set up the business
  2. Register for tax
  3. Approve the space
  4. Get the permits for your kind of business
  5. Alcohol permits
  6. Before the first hire

Issued by New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene; elsewhere the county health department.

Sources and dates

NYC Health Department restaurants and food service establishments page; NYC311. Checked against the agency’s page on the date shown; cities add their own fees.

Questions about opening here.