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The NYC Business Express Service Team (BEST) serves as a single point of contact between city agencies and small businesses operating in the five boroughs to help:
- streamline interactions with city agencies
- navigate permit and licensing processes
- connect you to government resources
- educate you on city rules and regulations
Thank you to all the businesses that have shared their concerns with NYC BEST, which has helped more than 6,000 businesses save more than $42.5 million!
| | NYC BEST Bootcamp is Back! | | |
We will be hosting a series of virtual sessions this fall in collaboration with enforcement agencies (Buildings, Health, Parks, and more) and utility companies. These sessions provide industry-specific guidance on business operations and the inspection process.
Be sure to check out our new modules, Waste Management and New York State Resources!
| | Bring NYC BEST to Your Community | | |
NYC BEST visits business communities across the five boroughs in collaboration with community partners and other NYC agencies.
We partner with community-based organizations and Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) to bring NYC BEST services and regulatory education to communities across the five boroughs.
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Community-Based Organizations
We’d like to bring our services to your neighborhood – please fill out the form below to kick off the process.
| | Street Activity Permit Office (SAPO) | |
The Street Activity Permit Office (SAPO) issues permits for street festivals, block parties, farmers markets, commercial or promotional events, and other events on the city's streets, sidewalks and pedestrian plazas while protecting the interests of the city, the community and the general public.
Key Takeaways
- Applications must be submitted at least 14, 30, or 45 days in advance, depending on the size and nature of the event
- Scout your desired location beforehand
- Submit a site plan and event schedule with your application
- Your organization must have at least $1 million in liability insurance (possibly more)
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Additional Permits May Be Required
Before receiving a permit from the Street Activity Permit Office (SAPO), you must secure permits from relevant city agencies, including:
| | This monthly newsletter raises awareness about new rules and regulations and shares information from our partner agencies, including: | |
NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP)
Grocery Worker Retention Act
Requires new grocery store owners to retain employees of the previous owner for a 90-day transitional period. This applies to businesses that have foods for off-site consumption that comprise 50 percent or more of the store’s gross revenue, and the establishment exceeds 10,000 square feet.
| | NYC Department of Health & Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) | |
Advance Notification of NYC Health Annual Restaurant Inspections
All NYC restaurants will now get two email alerts before annual inspections from the NYC Department of Health & Mental Hygiene (DOHMH).
- 1st email: about 1 - 5 months in advance
- 2nd email: about 3 - 6 weeks in advance
Each email alert (coming from noreply@newsletters.nyc.gov) includes information to help you prepare for your inspection so you can achieve an A grade and avoid fines:
You can also contact NYC BEST for free, one-on-one compliance support at any time, and especially before your inspection.
Note: It is important that you have the most current email address on file with DOHMH to ensure receipt of these advance notification emails. To change the email address for your business that is on file with DOHMH, complete this form.
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NYC BEST to Join NYC Buildings After Hours Events
The NYC Department of Buildings (DOB) hosts Buildings After Hours events every 1st and 3rd week of the month at their borough offices located throughout the 5 boroughs.
Small business owners are welcome! DOB staff, including Plan Examiners, Inspectors, and others, will be available to answer questions.
Our NYC Business Express Service Team (NYC BEST) will be joining these events starting in August to answer questions and share information about our services to help brick-and-mortar business owners throughout the five boroughs launch and operate efficiently and in compliance.
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Your small business revenue isn’t the same every month — why should your loan payments be?
NYC Future Fund offers loans that adjust to your revenue for flexible repayment!
| | | Help Us Understand the Regulations & Violations Impacting Your Small Business | | |
Small business owners can face significant costs when receiving and resolving city-issued violations, including:
- direct financial costs in the form of fines and penalties
- indirect costs like time spent complying with administrative requirements and attending hearings
Complete this short, anonymous survey to help us assess these costs and improve support for small businesses.
| | NYC BEST, OATH, and Sunnyside Shines BID Partner to Support Small Businesses | |
NYC BEST visited nine businesses in Sunnyside, Queens with Sunnyside Shines BID and the NYC Office of Administrative Trials & Hearings (OATH) to help small businesses stay in compliance with New York City regulations and address their summons. NYC BEST team members Sun Kim, Melody Li, Blanca Terejanu, and Berthe Ambroise conducted in-depth consultations, educated business owners on potential violations they can receive from various city agencies, and addressed business owners’ concerns, including how to respond to a summons and how to maintain a clean and compliant restaurant.
Thanks to the interagency partnership, these business owners:
- learned about New York City regulations for free
- saved money by correcting potential violations
- now have NYC BEST and SBS as an ongoing and free resource to support them whenever they need
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Find out how the NYC Business Express Service Team can save your business time and money:
📞 888-SBS-4NYC [888-727-4692] and ask for NYC BEST
📧 nycbest@sbs.nyc.gov
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Week in Review
July 19 - 25, 2025
The NYC Week In Review videos are available weekly on the Mayor's Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube!
Sign up to "Hear From Eric" and get direct messages from City Hall, tailored to your interests and neighborhood, sent directly to you – at nyc.gov/hearfromeric!
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