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.
Register Your Business
Home-Based providers should attend the online orientation. Attend the online orientation with the New York State Office of Children and Family Services. Take the orientation.
Submit your completed childcare provider application. Submit your completed childcare provider application to the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Bureau of Childcare. Submit your application.
Get fingerprints. In New York State, all day care employees must have fingerprints filed with the State. Register your fingerprints.
Schedule your pre-operational inspections. Schedule your pre-operational inspections with the NYC Fire Department (FDNY). Schedule Preoperational inspections.
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.
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 Out 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 space. 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.
Free bike racks. Free bike racks for the sidewalk outside your business can be requested from the NYC Department of Transportation. Learn more about free bike racks.
Hire a private carting service. Hire a private carting service and set up your space to comply with commercial recycling rules. Learn more about hiring a private carter.
Your construction should match what your business permits require. Make sure your licensed professional plans spaces and utilities connections to match the requirements of your business permits.
Lead test inspection. You will need to pass a lead test inspection that confirms that your place of business is lead-free. Lead is a health risk for small children. Learn about lead poisoning prevention.
Letter of No Objection. You will need a Letter of No Objection for your space if you take care of children under 6 years of age. Learn about the letter of no objection.
You will need a Certificate of Occupancy for your space. Learn about certificates of occupancy.
Fire Department inspection. Pass a Fire Department inspection, which certifies that your space is safe for children. Learn about fire safety in child care centers (PDF).
Interior fire alarm system. If you have more than 30 children, you will need an interior fire alarm system.
A sprinkler system. If you have infants or toddlers in your care facility, you will need a sprinkler system.
Have 30 square feet of space. Make sure that you have 30 square feet of space per child.
Install at least one child-size toilet and one child-size sink. Install at least one child-size toilet and one child-size sink.
Separate staff toilet. Make sure that there is a separate staff toilet on premises, not for children's use. This can be the wheelchair-accessible bathroom.
Program for children between ages 3 and 5 at a school. If you provide a program for children between ages 3 and 5 at a school, you will need a School-Based Child Care Certificate. Learn about the certificate.
Summer camp for children. If you run a summer camp for children, you will need a separate license. Learn about the license.
Child care in your home or another person's home. If you provide child care in your home or another person's home for more than six children plus two more school-aged children, you will need a Group Family Day Care License. There must always be one caregiver for every two children under 2 years old. Learn about the license.
Home-based day care. Home-based day care must renew their license every two years through the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH). Learn about registration.
Informal and legally exempt child-care providers. Informal and legally exempt child-care providers can care for two children and are exempt from licensing requirements. However, you must register with the Women's Housing and Economic Development Corporation (WHEDco). Register with WHEDco.
Food Protection Certificate. If you serve food to children, you may need a Food Protection Certificate. Get the certificate.
Food Service Establishment Permit. If you serve food to children, you may need a Food Service Establishment Permit. Get the permit.
State permits. State permits are issued by the DOHMH alongside City permits.
Prepare to Open
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.
Group Child Care Center-Based Permit. If you provide child care outside a home for more than three children under 6 years of age, you will need a Group Child Care Center-Based Permit. Learn more about the permit.
School-Based Child Care Certificate. If you provide a program for children between ages 3 and 5 at a school, you will need a School-Based Child Care Certificate. Learn about the certificate.
Summer Camp for Children. If you run a summer camp for children, you will need a separate license. Learn about the license.
Child Care After School. If you provide child care after school for seven or more children, you will need to register as a School-Age Child Care program. Learn how to register.
If You Provide Child Care in Your Home. If you provide child care in your home or another person's home for more than six children plus two more school-aged children, you will need a Group Family Day Care License. There must always be one caregiver for every two children under two years old. Learn about the license.
Home-based Day Care. Home-based day care must renew their license every two years through the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH). Learn about registration.
Informal and Legally Exempt Child Care Providers Can Care for Two Children and are Exempt from Licensing Requirements. However, you must register with the Women's Housing and Economic Development Corporation (WHEDco).
If You Serve Food to Children. If you serve food to children, you may need a Food Protection Certificate. Get the certificate.
Food Service Establishment Permit. If you serve food to children, you may need a Food Service Establishment Permit. Get the permit. State permits are issued by the DOHMH alongside City permits.
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.
Post applicable worker protection posters. Follow Federal as well as New York State requirements. Download posters.
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.
Collect references. Day care owners must collect letters of references from all job applicants under state law.
Protect against child abuse. Former child sexual abuse offenders and other sexual abuse offenders cannot be employed in child care under state law.
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.
Must receive a flu vaccine. All children between the ages of 6 months and 5 years that attend Universal Pre-K, center-based or school-based day care program must receive a flu vaccine between July 1 and December 31 every year. Exemptions are only available for medical and religious reasons.
Epinephrine auto-injector. All day care programs must have an epinephrine auto-injector onsite, in case of allergic reactions. These are often called EpiPens. Two staff at every site must be certified in administering an EpiPen. DOHMH will provide Epi-Pens once certification is provided. Learn about epinephrine (PDF).