MyCity
Create a Business Plan
Develop your business idea. Every business starts as an idea. Take advantage of free courses to turn your idea into a business plan. Register for business planning courses.
Seek out business advice. Get feedback on your business idea and plan. Small Business Services (SBS) offers hands-on, intensive, cohort-based instruction for your business plan. Sign up for classes.
Write your business plan. A business plan is a living document that serves as a roadmap for your business. Access an online guide to create your business plan.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has an Urban Agriculture Toolkit. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has an Urban Agriculture Toolkit with resources for urban farming. Get the Urban Agriculture Toolkit.
The federal government regulates food safety and inspection for the production and sale of certain food items. The federal government regulates food safety and inspection for the production and sale of certain food items. These regulations act alongside New York City and New York State regulations. Learn about food safety and inspection regulations.
For more information on opening an agriculture business in the State of New York. For more information on opening an agriculture business in the State of New York, visit the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets website. Visit the NY State Agriculture website.
Urban Agriculture website. Visit the Urban Agriculture website for more information on starting and operating an urban agriculture business in New York City.
If you are planning to sell prepared foods to customers. If you are planning to sell prepared foods to customers, review the Restaurant Quick Guide by selecting "Restaurant" from the drop-down menu at the top of this page.
Roadside stands, farm outlets, and stalls at farmer's markets must follow sanitary rules that are required by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets. Learn about sanitary rules for farmer’s markets.
Register Your Business
Choose your legal structure. The business's legal structure determines who owns and is 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.
Register as a sales tax vendor. 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 in obtaining additional permits. Learn more about the Sales Tax Vendor Certificate.
Apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN). An Employer Identification Number (EIN) — also known as a federal Tax ID number — is a unique nine-digit number assigned by the IRS that businesses use for tax filing and reporting purposes. In some instances, if you are a sole proprietor, you may be able to use your Social Security Number for tax filing and reporting purposes instead. Learn more about EIN.
Research required insurance. Research the necessary insurance types for your business, including workers' compensation, liability, and disability insurance. These are not only essential for securing permits and licenses but also safeguard your business against losses, fines, and legal actions.
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. Small Business Services (SBS) can help you identify and access energy cost savings, tax credits, and other incentives. Learn more about incentives.
Understand your insurance needs. 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 Your Space
Find a location zoned for your business. 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. 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. Learn about facilities and program sites in your prospective neighborhood that might impact your business on the Department of City Planning's 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. 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. 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 landmark properties.
If your location will host events where 75 people or more will gather. 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.
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 more about construction noise regulations.
Prepare to Open
Pre-operational inspections. 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.
The Federal, State, and City requirements. Learn about the Federal, State, and City requirements, as well as the permits your business will need by using the Step-by-Step Tool.
Maximize recycling and avoid violations. 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. Post prices, refund policy, and other required signs from the NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection. Learn more about posting and signage requirements.
The US Food & Drug Administration recommends Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point. The US Food & Drug Administration recommends Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) Certification, to ensure food safety is standardized. Learn more about HACCP Certification.
A Nursery Dealer Registration Certificate. A Nursery Dealer Registration Certificate is required for any person, firm, partnership, association, or corporation that buys, acquires, or receives on consignment plant nursery stock for the purpose of reselling or transporting. Learn more about the certificate.
A Plant Grower Registration Certificate. A Plant Grower Registration Certificate is required for a business in which nursery stock (trees, shrubs, plants, flowers, etc.) is propagated, grown, or cultivated for the purpose of distribution or sale. Learn more about the certificate.
Ready-to-eat packaged food or other packaged food products. Businesses that sell ready-to-eat packaged food or other packaged food products for immediate human consumption must have a Food Processing Establishment License from the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets. Learn more about the Food Processing Establishment License.
Slaughtering animals or fowl. If your business will is slaughtering animals or fowl, or process meat or meat products for food, you must be licensed by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets. Learn more about the Slaughterhouse License.
Apple storage. Apples labeled “controlled atmosphere” must meet storage specifications put forth by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets. Learn more about apple storage.
Food Warehouse License. A Food Warehouse License is required to hold food and/or food products for commercial distribution. Learn more about the warehouse license.
Commercial Vehicle Registration. All vehicles used for commercial or business purposes need a Commercial Vehicle Registration from the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles. Learn more about the registration.
Commercial Driver's License. Make sure employees have a Commercial Driver's License from the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles if they will operate commercial vehicles. Learn more about the Commercial Driver License.
Urban agriculture business. An urban agriculture business will need to comply with regulations on stormwater runoff. Learn more about stormwater runoff.
Composting organic waste. Businesses interested in composting organic waste will need to acquire a registration or permit with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Learn more about composting organic waste.
Storing hazardous substances. Individuals or businesses that are storing hazardous substances in bulk must have a valid Registration Certificate for Hazardous Substance Bulk Storage from the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation. Hazardous substances are substances that may cause injuries or illness to humans when improperly used, including organic and non-organic pesticides and nitrate-based fertilizers.Learn more about the certificate.
Storing hazardous substances. If you are storing hazardous substances, understand the reporting and filing requirements of the Community Right-To-Know Program. You may be required to file a Facility Inventory Form and pay the applicable fees. Learn more about the Community Right-to-Know Program.
Pick-up trucks. Pick-up trucks with an unladen weight of 6,000 pounds or less may be registered as either commercial or passenger vehicles. Owners must pay a commercial registration fee along with any applicable county -or borough-based commercial use tax. Learn more about pick-up trucks.
Businesses using water or sewer services. Businesses using water or sewer services provided by the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) must pay for all services rendered. Businesses that use water from a fire hydrant, dump waste or wastewater into sewers or have any other form of water or sewer services provided by DEP must have an active account with DEP.
Wastewater allowance. Check your eligibility for a wastewater allowance from DEP, which can lower your water bill. To qualify, a property must have a dedicated metered water supply that supplies a process that does not discharge all of its water into the wastewater system. Learn more about the Water and Wastewater Rate Schedule.
Sell products at a farmer's market, supermarket, bodega, or deli. If you plan to sell products at a farmer's market, supermarket, bodega, or deli in New York City, review the Inspection Checklists for Supermarkets, Bodegas, and Delis, and for General Retail for information on how to avoid common violations. Review the inspection checklists (PDF).
Hire a Team
Get help with hiring. Talented workers can help your business succeed. Let Small Business Services (SBS) help you find the right employees. Get help with hiring.
Laws for employers. Employing New Yorkers means following rules about how much to pay, what benefits to provide and more. Learn more about local laws employers must follow.
Minimum wages. The New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL) oversees wage regulations in New York State. Businesses employing people in New York State should consult NYSDOL resources to be aware of wage requirements and regulations. Learn more about minimum wage.
Train your employees. Train your employees, so that your team has the skills your business needs. We can help cover training costs. Learn more about employee training.
Unemployment insurance. It's important to understand your business’ unemployment insurance requirements. Contact the New York State Department of Labor for more information. Learn about unemployment insurance.
Workers' compensation. It's important to understand your workers' compensation insurance requirements for your business. Contact the New York State Department of Labor for more information. Learn about workers' compensation insurance.
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. 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 the 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.
Maintaining plant health. The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Division of Plant Industry is responsible for maintaining plant health. The Division conducts inspections of nurseries, orchards, greenhouses, sawmills, apiaries, and transportation pathways to identify threats to the plant industry. Learn more about inspections..
Subsidized energy use audit. Receive a subsidized energy use audit from the State Energy Research and Development Authority that is specially made for agriculture businesses. Learn more about energy audits.
Keeping non-aggressive honeybees. All persons keeping non-aggressive honeybees (Apis mellifera) in New York City for recreational or commercial purposes must register with the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Office of Vector Surveillance and Control. This registration informs the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene of the location of the hive(s) and the number of bees maintained at a specific location. Learn more about beekeeper registration.