October 2025 Newsletter

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 Connections

NYC BEST Bootcamp

We still have one more NYC BEST Bootcamp virtual session featuring industry-specific guidance on business operations and the inspection process to attend this fall:

Friday, 10/31

Responding to Summonses or Violations

We will be hosting another series of virtual sessions in collaboration with enforcement agencies (Buildings, Health, Parks, and more) and utility companies starting in January.

NYC BEST at Buildings After Hours

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!

Thanks to a strong collaboration with DOB, our NYC Business Express Service Team (NYC BEST) will be present 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.

Did You Know?

This monthly newsletter raises awareness about new rules and regulations and shares information from our partner agencies, including: 

NYC Department of Consumer & Worker Protection (DCWP)

Rule Update on Credit Card Surcharges

Effective: August 5, 2025

The NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) is updating its rules to align with New York General Business Law § 518, which now:

• Limits credit card surcharges to the actual cost charged by the credit card company
• Requires clear display of the total price when paying by credit card

DCWP already requires businesses to disclose credit card limitations at entrances and in ads. The amendment ensures businesses follow the new law and prevents misleading pricing practices that could deceive customers.

Signs on Temporary Protective Construction Structures

Temporary signs can be placed on construction structures that block an existing business sign.

These temporary signs must be: 

• Securely fastened directly in front of the storefront
• No more than 4 feet tall and must not project outward
• Not project above the parapet or below the deck of a sidewalk shed
• Permitted on the ends of a structure only if the original sign was also obscured from that view
• Considered temporary for up to 30 days; anything longer requires a permit

NYC Department of Transportation (DOT)

Concession Rules for Pedestrian Plazas & Open Streets

Effective: August 27, 2025

The NYC Department of Transportation (DOT) allows partners of pedestrian plazas and full-closure Open Streets to enter concession agreements. These agreements permit revenue-generating activities, like outdoor dining, through subconcessions. All revenue must be reinvested into maintaining and operating the public space.

Outdoor Dining & Exclusive Use

DOT now authorizes partners to let subconcessionaires set aside areas exclusively for patrons at:

• All DOT-designated pedestrian plazas
• All DOT-designated full-closure Open Streets (streets closed to traffic for public use)

Space Limits for Seating

• To balance public and private use:
• Concession seating is limited to 33% of the total area
• If approved as a “major concession” via ULURP, up to 50% is allowed
• All seating plans require DOT review and approval

No Extra Permits Needed

Concession seating under these agreements is not classified as sidewalk or roadway cafés, so it doesn’t require a separate license under the Dining Out NYC program.

Additional Resources

Legal and Non-Legal Considerations for NYC Small Business Owners

Monday, October 27 | 5:30 p.m. | 245 Park Avenue, 5th Floor 

Join the NYC Department of Small Business Services' BE NYC initiative, Volunteers of Legal Service, and our pro bono partners Société Générale and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP for an evening of education, enrichment, and networking for small business owners and entrepreneurs in New York City.

Presenters will cover important legal and non-legal considerations that entrepreneurs and small business owners should consider in any enterprise including:

• options for funding the business
• marketing and fundraising
• fundamentals of employment law

A networking reception will follow the presentation.

When you RSVP, please include your name, business name, and address. You may also submit questions that you would like to be addressed during the presentation. 

NYC Future Fund

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!

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Week in Review

September 27 - October 3, 2025

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