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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
| | NYC BEST in Your Community | | |
NYC BEST is visiting business communities across the five boroughs in collaboration with community partners and other NYC agencies.
We partner with local organizations to bring NYC BEST services and regulatory education to communities across the five boroughs.
5/15 - Corridor Walk with the Queens Chamber of Commerce at 31-19 Newtown Road in Astoria, Queens, from 4 – 7 p.m.
5/20 - Corridor walk with La Colmena at 774 Port Richmond Avenue, Staten Island from 5 - 7 p.m.
* Events take place between 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. unless stated otherwise. Schedule is subject to change.
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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.
| | NYC Small Business Month Expo | |
Registration Now Open: 2025 NYC Small Business Month Expo
The NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS) is excited to host the NYC Small Business Month Expo again this year to serve the needs of small business owners across all stages, industries, and boroughs.
Date
Thursday, May 29, 2025
Location
Center415
415 5th Avenue
New York, NY 10016
We hope you will attend, and please help us spread the word. You can share the social media posts on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X (Twitter).
| | Business Integrity Commission (BIC) | | |
Every commercial establishment is required by law to have its putrescible waste and recyclables picked up by a Business Integrity Commission (BIC) licensed hauler. There are hundreds of carters licensed by BIC that can legally collect putrescible waste and recyclables from commercial establishments in NYC.
Before deciding on a carter, BIC strongly recommends that you obtain price quotes from several different companies. A commercial establishment using a carter must prominently display a BIC decal identifying the carter that is serving the establishment. The decal is provided by the carter free of charge. Unless permitted by BIC, a carter cannot refuse to service a business if it already services another customer located within a 10-block area.
BIC also registers companies that remove waste resulting from building demolition, construction, alteration or excavation, and landscaping.
| | NYC Department of Sanitation (DSNY) | | |
Rule Effective Date: 04-27-2025
Section 16-116 of the New York City Administrative Code outlines waste removal requirements for commercial establishments. It mandates either the use of a licensed private carter or obtaining a trade waste permit from the BIC for self-disposal. Establishments must display a sign detailing the waste removal schedule or their BIC registration number.
This rule lowers the threshold for "infrequent waste" exemption from 20 gallons to 1 gallon within seven days. This change ensures proper trade waste disposal by private carters if more than 1 gallon of waste is generated, addressing issues of improper waste setouts for DSNY collection.
The threshold was lowered to prevent improper trade waste disposal, ensuring businesses use licensed private carters and avoid misusing DSNY resources.
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The NYC Department of Sanitation is proposing to amend its rules regarding its program for the collection of commercial waste to include the implementation schedule for the Bronx East and Bronx West Commercial Waste Zones (CWZ).
Bronx will be next for the Commercial Waste Zone roll out.
Anyone can comment on the proposed rules by Friday, May 23, 2025.
| | NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) | |
Food Protection Certificate Exam Now Available in Staten Island!
NYC Health Code requires that there be at least one supervisor certified in food protection on site any time a food service establishment and non-retail food processing establishment is operating.
To receive a certification, you must first complete the free Online Food Protection Course, which is offered in English, Spanish, and Chinese.
The online course is free, but you must pay to take the final exam, and take the exam in person, to receive your certification.
The exam is offered at two locations:
NYC Health Academy
Riverside Health Center
160 West 100th Street, 3rd Floor
Manhattan
College of Staten Island
2800 Victory Boulevard
Staten Island
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New Mobile Food Vending Inspection Facility
The Health Department mobile food vending inspection facility has moved to 1235 Zerega Avenue in the Bronx.
The facility in Maspeth is now closed.
Call 212-676-1600 to schedule inspection appointments.
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NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP)
Hotel Licenses
Effective date: May 3, 2025
Local Law 104 of 2024 requires that you must have a hotel license if your business operates, owns, leases, or manages a hotel and controls its day-to-day operations, including employment of the people who work at the hotel, by virtue of your ownership, management agreement, lease, or other legal construct.
| | Everything You Need To Know To Plan, Launch, and Operate a Successful NYC Restaurant | Free, in-depth business management education delivered by experienced industry professionals for aspiring restaurateurs and early-stage food & beverage operators. | | |
Level 1 (Virtual)
How to Plan and Finance Your Business
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Level 2 (Virtual)
How to Launch and Operate Your Business
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Level 3 (In Person)
Create an Effective Business Plan
| | Upon completing the 3-course series, you'll receive free 1:1 assistance to help you create a tailored business plan for your restaurant concept. | |
My Business Finance Coach
The NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS) is offering financial coaching in partnership with Next Street to strengthen small business owners’ business finances. Through this program, eligible small businesses located in NYC can connect with a professional business coach for support in:
- Separating Personal and Business Expenses (Startup & Operating Businesses)
- Developing Financial Projections (Startup & Operating Businesses)
- Taxes Check-In and Check-Up (Startup & Operating Businesses)
- Understanding Financial Documents (Operating Businesses)
- QuickBooks® Overview (Operating Businesses)
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Grow and Secure Your Business with Google
Tuesday, May 20 | 10 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Join the NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS) and Google for an in-person session on essential digital tools to:
- grow your business
- improve operational efficiency
- protect your business against cybersecurity threats
| | Grand Opening Event at Rell’s Cafe Corner in Cypress Hills, Brooklyn | | |
Rell’s Cafe Corner, owned by Cherylle Lewis, is located in the lobby of the Cypress Hills East New York Community Center. Cherylle hosted SBS Commissioner Gross at the café’s grand opening, celebrating a major milestone in her journey to serve great food and give back to the community.
Over the past year, Cherylle worked closely with SBS and its NYC BEST Team to bring her vision to life. NYC BEST team members Melody Li and Tatyana Shekhtman supported her throughout the process — helping her navigate complex permitting and regulatory requirements, providing critical resources, and conducting several in-depth consultations to ensure full compliance.
Thanks to this partnership, Rell’s Cafe Corner was fully equipped and ready for success on opening day. When passionate entrepreneurs like Cherylle connect with SBS and NYC BEST for free support, anything is possible.
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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
April 26 - May 2, 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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