Operating a Commercial Stable

If you keep horses for a fee, you need a permit from the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH). It does not matter if the horses are private or rented (such as for riding lessons or for use with horse-drawn carriages).

You need to renew this permit every year. The DOHMH will send you a renewal form if you have no unpaid fines. Fill out the form and send it back with the fee. You need an inspection for the first application but not for renewals. After you get the permit, inspections will happen in the course of normal operations.

This page explains how to apply for the permit, follow the related rules and pass inspections. This information only covers health-related rules. Read the documents linked in the additional resources section to understand all the DOHMH rules.

• Required documents: You need to send certain papers with your application. Check the Required Documents Checklist to see what you need.

• Insurance proof: You must show proof of Workers' Compensation and Disability Insurance. This includes the insurance company's name, policy number and end date. If you are exempt, provide Form CE-200 with the Exemption Certificate Number. The certificate must list the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) as the Certificate Holder.

• Sales tax certificate: Show proof of a Certificate of Authority to Collect Sales Tax. The address on the certificate must match your application address.

• Pay fines: Pay all outstanding fines for Health Code Violations before applying or renewing your permit. You can pay in person at the NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) Citywide Licensing Center or pay fines online.
  
  DCWP Licensing Center
  42 Broadway, Lobby
  New York, NY 10004
  onlineappsdocs@dcwp.nyc.gov

• Proof of home address: Provide proof of your home address. Acceptable documents include:

  • Valid driver's license or non-driver's photo ID
  • Recent bank statement, credit card statement or utility bill (dated within 90 days)
  • Valid/current lease

• Power of attorney: If someone else is submitting the application for you, they need a completed Power of Attorney/Authority to Act form. They must also show a photo ID.

• Email address: You need a valid email address if applying online.

• Permit fees:

  • $35.00 if applying between January 1 and June 30
  • $17.50 if applying between July 1 and December 31

• Payment methods:

  • Personal check (in person only)
  • Certified check (in person only)
  • Government check (in person only)
  • American Express (in person or online)
  • Discover (in person or online)
  • Mastercard (in person or online)
  • Visa (in person or online)

• Receipt of application:

  • If you applied online, you will get a receipt by email.
  • If you applied in person, the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) will give you a receipt.

• Processing by Health Department:

  • The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) will process your application.
  • DOHMH will contact you if it needs more information or documents.

• Submitting missing documents:

  • If you did not upload all required documents, you will get a letter asking you to submit them.
  • You must submit the missing documents to the Citywide Licensing Center in person or by mail within 10 days.
  • If you do not respond, you will get a second letter.
  • If you do not respond to the second letter, your application will be terminated.
  • If your application is terminated or withdrawn, you can ask for a refund by calling 311. Refunds are evaluated case-by-case.

• Facility inspection:

  • An inspection of your facility should be scheduled within 15 business days.
  • If your facility is not inspected within 15 days, contact the DOHMH Bureau of Veterinary Public Health Services at 646-632-6604.
  • You will not get a permit without passing a pre-permit inspection.

• Starting operations:

  • If you pass the pre-permit inspection, you can start operating.
  • You must post the inspection report for public view.
  • You will receive your actual permit in the mail.

• Follow the rules: Horse stable operators must care for working horses.
• Keep proof of vaccination: Horses kept in your stables must be vaccinated against rabies.
• Permits expire: All permits expire on December 31 each year.

• You can renew online using the NYC Online Licensing system.

  • First, you need to register.
  • You cannot renew if you have unpaid fines.
  • You can pay fines online before renewing.

• For the first online renewal, you need the Personal Identification Number (PIN) from your Renewal Notice.

  • The PIN links your records to one online account.
  • Use your PIN once for each permit or license.

• If you do not have your Renewal Notice, get your PIN by completing an online PIN Request Form or by calling 311.

• Submit your completed renewal notice and Workers' Compensation information, and pay the renewal fee in person at the DCWP Citywide Licensing Center.
  
  NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP)Licensing Center
  42 Broadway, Lobby
  New York, NY 10004
  Email: onlineappsdocs@dcwp.nyc.gov

• Follow the instructions on your renewal notice to renew by mail.