PermitDueHow to Get a Business License in New York
March 16, 2026 · Daniel Amar·Last updated: March 16, 2026
New York is as complicated as you have heard
If you are starting a business in New York, you are dealing with one of the most layered licensing environments in the country. The state, the city (especially if it is NYC), the county — they all have separate requirements. And New York City operates almost like its own state when it comes to business regulation.
This guide covers both New York State and NYC. If you are outside the city, you can skip the NYC-specific sections — but you still have plenty to deal with.
Step 1: Register your business entity
File with the New York Department of State, Division of Corporations.
- LLC: File Articles of Organization. Costs $200. File online through the NY Business Express portal.
- Corporation: File a Certificate of Incorporation. Also $200.
- Sole proprietorship: No state filing needed, but you must file a DBA (Certificate of Assumed Name) with your county clerk.
Processing is typically 5 to 7 business days online. Expedited processing is available for $25 (24 hours) or $75 (same day).
The LLC publication requirement
This is the one that catches everyone off guard. Within 120 days of formation, New York LLCs must publish a notice in two newspapers (one daily, one weekly) in the county where the LLC is located, for six consecutive weeks. Then you file an affidavit of publication with the Department of State.
The cost depends on the county. In Manhattan, publication can cost $1,000 to $2,000+. In upstate counties, it might be $200 to $500. This is not optional — fail to comply and the state suspends your LLC's authority to do business.
Step 2: File your DBA with the county clerk
If you operate under a name different from your legal name or your exact registered entity name, file a Certificate of Assumed Name (DBA) with the county clerk where you do business. The fee is typically $25 to $100 depending on the county.
Step 3: Get your EIN
Free, online, immediate at irs.gov.
Step 4: Register for New York State taxes
Register with the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance through the NY Business Express portal. You will register for:
- Sales tax Certificate of Authority: Required if you sell taxable goods or services. Free to obtain. New York's combined state and local sales tax ranges from 7% to 8.875% (the 8.875% is NYC).
- Withholding tax: If you have employees, you must register to withhold state income tax.
- Corporation or franchise tax: Corporations and LLCs taxed as corporations need to register for this.
Step 5: NYC-specific licenses (if applicable)
If you are in New York City, the NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) requires licenses for a long list of business types. Some examples:
- General vendor license
- Home improvement contractor license
- Electronics store license
- Laundry license
- Secondhand dealer license
- Sidewalk cafe license
- Tow truck company license
Check the DCWP website to see if your business type is on their list. Fees range from $50 to $5,000+ depending on the license type. Many require background checks, proof of insurance, and inspections.
NYC also requires a separate Commercial Rent Tax registration if you rent commercial space in Manhattan south of 96th Street and your annual rent exceeds $250,000.
Step 6: Workers' compensation and disability insurance
New York requires nearly all employers to carry:
- Workers' compensation insurance: Mandatory for all employers. Obtained from a licensed insurance carrier, the State Insurance Fund, or through self-insurance approval.
- Disability benefits insurance: Mandatory. Covers off-the-job injuries and illnesses. Also obtained from an insurer or the State Insurance Fund.
- Paid Family Leave insurance: Mandatory. Funded through employee paycheck deductions but the employer must have the policy in place.
The New York Workers' Compensation Board enforces these requirements. Operating without workers' comp is a criminal offense in New York — not just a fine, but potential jail time.
Step 7: Industry-specific permits
- Restaurants: NYC Department of Health food service establishment permit, plus a letter grade inspection. Outside NYC, permits come from your county health department.
- Bars: On-Premises Liquor License from the State Liquor Authority (SLA). Costs $4,352 and takes 3 to 6 months to process.
- Contractors: NYC requires a Home Improvement Contractor License from DCWP. Outside NYC, requirements vary by municipality.
- Salons: Licensed through the NYS Division of Licensing Services.
What it costs: New York business setup fees
| Item | Cost | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| LLC filing (Department of State) | $200 | One-time |
| LLC publication requirement | $200 - $2,000+ | One-time |
| DBA (County Clerk) | $25 - $100 | One-time (no renewal in most counties) |
| EIN (IRS) | Free | One-time |
| Sales tax Certificate of Authority | Free | One-time |
| NYC DCWP license (if applicable) | $50 - $5,000+ | Every 1 - 2 years |
| Workers' comp insurance | Varies (mandatory) | Annual |
| Liquor license (SLA) | $4,352 | Every 2 years |
Timeline: how long does it take?
| Step | Processing Time |
|---|---|
| LLC filing (online) | 5 - 7 business days |
| LLC filing (expedited) | Same day to 24 hours |
| LLC publication | 6 weeks (plus filing affidavit) |
| EIN | Immediate (online) |
| Sales tax registration | 1 - 2 weeks |
| NYC DCWP license | 2 - 8 weeks |
| SLA liquor license | 3 - 6 months |
| Health permit (NYC) | 2 - 6 weeks |
New York-specific gotchas
- The publication requirement will cost you. There is no way around it. Manhattan LLCs pay the most. Some people file their LLC in a cheaper county and use a registered agent there, but the Department of State has been cracking down on this. Budget $500 to $1,500 for publication in most NYC boroughs.
- NYC is basically a separate jurisdiction. If you are in New York City, expect to deal with city agencies (DCWP, DOH, DOB, FDNY) on top of everything the state requires. It is not unusual for a NYC business to need 5 to 10 separate permits just from city agencies.
- Biennial statements: New York LLCs must file a Biennial Statement with the Department of State every two years. The fee is $9. Cheap, but easy to forget — and failure to file can lead to dissolution.
- Workers' comp enforcement is aggressive. The Workers' Compensation Board conducts investigations and can issue stop-work orders. Penalties for non-compliance are $2,000 per 10 days without coverage. It adds up fast.
- The SLA process is slow. If you need a liquor license, start the application before you start your buildout. Six months is not unusual, and there is very little you can do to speed it up.
What happens if you skip it
- NYC DCWP fines for unlicensed businesses: $1,000 to $5,000 per violation
- Workers' comp violations: $2,000 per 10-day period, plus potential criminal charges
- LLC suspension for failure to publish: your LLC cannot sue, be sued, or conduct business
- State tax penalties for not registering: varies, but back taxes plus interest and penalties
Get your New York permits figured out
New York has more moving parts than most states. State filing, publication, county DBA, state tax registration, city licenses, workers' comp, industry permits — the list is long. But each piece is manageable on its own once you know what to do and where to go.
Use the free permit checker to see the full list of permits your business needs based on your type and New York location. It shows you the agencies, fees, and deadlines — all in one place.
Running a food business? Check the restaurant permit checklist for the full breakdown of what kitchens need. Opening a bar? The bar permit guide covers the SLA process in detail.