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    5Compliance categories
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    What we do
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    Tailored checklists

    Answer 6 questions about your restaurant and get a personalized compliance checklist covering all 5 compliance categories.

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    Permit reminders

    Never miss an FSE renewal again. We track expiry dates for all your permits and alert you when renewals are coming up.

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    AI compliance advisor

    Ask any question about NYC restaurant law in plain English. Get instant, accurate answers — no lawyer required.

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    Regulation monitoring

    We watch DOHMH, DCWP, and NYC.gov so you don't have to. The Regulations tab is always up to date.

    Build your compliance checklist

    6 quick questions — we'll generate a checklist tailored to your restaurant.

    Step 1 of 6
    What type of restaurant do you run?
    Which borough are you in?
    Do you have a liquor license?
    Do you have outdoor seating?
    How many employees do you have?
    What's your indoor seating capacity?
    or skip to the demo dashboard

    Your compliance dashboard

    A demo for a full-service restaurant in Manhattan with a liquor license

    0 / 12 done
    Food & health — DOHMH · DSNY
    ✓
    Food Service Establishment (FSE) permit
    DOHMHAnnual
    Renews every 12 months from application date
    ✓
    Food Protection Certificate — must be on premises at all times
    DOHMHOne-time
    ✓
    DOHMH grade card posted in window (A, B, or C)
    DOHMHOngoing
    ✓
    Allergen awareness — staff trained to communicate all 9 major allergens
    DOHMHOngoing
    Inspectors test staff directly. Fines start at $200 per violation.
    ✓
    NYC organics — food scraps separated and set out for DSNY pickup
    DSNYOngoing
    Required for covered large and chain food service establishments. Commercial fines up to $1,000 for repeat violations.
    ✓
    Single-use plastic bag ban — charge $0.05 for paper bags, no plastic
    NYS DECOngoing
    NY State ban since 2020. Keep records of paper bag fee collection. Fines up to $500 per violation.
    ✓
    Polystyrene/foam ban — no single-use foam cups, containers, or trays
    NYC DSNYOngoing
    NYC ban since 2019. Fines up to $1,000 for repeat violations. Switch to paper, cardboard, or compostable alternatives.
    Building & fire safety — DOB · FDNY · DEP
    ✓
    Certificate of Occupancy for restaurant use
    DOBOne-time
    ✓
    Fire suppression system inspection certificate — required every 6 months
    FDNYSemi-annual
    ✓
    Grease trap approval on file with DEP
    DEPOne-time
    ✓
    FDNY Place of Assembly (POA) permit — required for 75+ occupancy
    FDNYAnnual
    Must post maximum occupancy placard. Operating without one risks immediate closure.
    ✓
    ADA accessibility — accessible entrance, seating path, and restroom where feasible
    ADA / NYC HRLOne-time
    Complaints filed with DOJ or NYC Commission on Human Rights. Document any barrier-removal steps taken.
    ✓
    DEP noise permit — required for amplified music or sound equipment
    DEPOngoing
    Operating amplified music without a permit risks fines of $350–$875 for a first commercial offense (first-offense fines may be waived if you certify compliance within 30 days). Apply before opening night.
    Alcohol — NYS Liquor Authority
    ✓
    On-premises liquor license in effect
    NYSLA2-year renewal
    Community board review required for new licenses. File for renewal 90+ days before expiry.
    ✓
    NYSLA catering authorization — required to serve alcohol at off-premise events
    NYSLAPer event
    Your on-premises license does not cover catering. File a Catering Authorization with NYSLA before each off-site event.
    Labor & employment — NYDOL · DCWP · NYS
    ✓
    Workers' comp & disability insurance — active policy on file
    NYS Workers' Comp BoardAnnual
    Required for all employers. Also needed to renew your FSE permit.
    ✓
    NY Paid Family Leave insurance — deductions withheld and remitted
    NYSAnnual
    Required for all employers. Usually bundled with your workers' comp carrier. Rate updates each January.
    ✓
    I-9 employment eligibility forms completed for every employee
    Federal (USCIS)At hire
    Must complete within 3 business days of start date. Retain for 3 years after hire or 1 year after termination — whichever is later. Paperwork violations: $288–$2,861 per form (2026 figures).
    ✓
    Wage notice provided to each employee at time of hire (WTPA)
    NYDOLAt hire
    Must include pay rate, overtime rate, pay frequency, and employer contact. Keep signed copies on file.
    ✓
    Annual sexual harassment prevention training for all employees
    NYC / NYSAnnual
    NYC Local Law 96 (15+ employees); NYS law applies to all. Free training at nyc.gov/site/cchr/law/sexual-harassment-training.page. Keep completion records.
    ✓
    Required posters displayed: min wage, OSHA safety, sick leave, Heimlich, workers' comp, human rights
    NYDOL · DCWP · OSHAOngoing
    ✓
    Human trafficking hotline notice posted — near restrooms and in employee area
    NYC Admin CodeOngoing
    NYC § 10-181 requires all food service establishments to post this. Free posters at dol.ny.gov/human-trafficking.
    ✓
    Smoke-Free Air Act — "No Smoking" signs at all entrances and within the premises
    NYC DOHMHOngoing
    DOHMH inspectors cite missing signage. Signs required at every entrance and throughout the dining area.
    ✓
    Pay transparency — salary range included in all job postings
    NYC DCWPOngoing
    NYC Local Law 32 (2022). Applies to employers with 4+ employees. Complaints lead to DCWP investigation.
    ✓
    NYC Commuter Benefits — pre-tax transit offered to all full-time employees
    NYC DCWPOngoing
    Required for employers with 20+ full-time employees. Use any pre-tax commuter benefits provider. Fines up to $100/quarter per employee.
    ✓
    Fair Chance Act — no criminal history questions before a conditional job offer
    NYC DCWPOngoing
    NYC "Ban the Box" law. Remove criminal history questions from job applications. DCWP complaints carry fines up to $250,000.
    ✓
    Tip pool/credit policy documented and compliant with 2023 NYDOL rules
    NYDOLOngoing
    Only tipped workers may be in a tip pool. Managers and owners are excluded. Document your policy in writing.
    ✓
    Schedules posted 14 days in advance (Fair Workweek Law)
    DCWPOngoing
    Tax & business registration
    ✓
    NYS Sales Tax Certificate of Authority — file quarterly returns
    NYS Tax DeptQuarterly
    🔒

    AI Advisor is a Pro feature

    Get instant answers to any NYC compliance question in plain English — DOHMH inspections, DCWP violations, liquor license renewals, and more.

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    19
    May '26
    NYC minimum wage rises to $17/hr — tipped worker rates also updated
    Effective January 1, 2026, NYC minimum wage increased to $17.00/hour. Tipped food-service workers have updated cash wage and tip credit rules. Review your payroll immediately.
    LaborNYC
    12
    May '26
    Fair Workweek Law expanded to grocery delivery workers — fast food restaurants reminded of existing obligations
    NYC Council expanded Fair Workweek protections in Sept 2025. Fast food chain restaurants (30+ locations nationally) must still post schedules 14 days in advance. Records must be kept for 3 years.
    LaborScheduling
    2
    May '26
    RAISE Act signed — NY's new AI safety law for frontier model developers
    Signed Dec. 2025, effective Jan. 1, 2027. Targets developers of large-scale AI models (not typical employers). Restaurant operators using AI hiring tools remain governed by NYC Local Law 144, which requires bias audits and candidate disclosures for automated employment decision tools.
    New lawAI hiringNYS
    18
    Apr '26
    NYC Dining Out program — permanent outdoor dining rules now in effect
    Permanent rules for sidewalk and roadway cafés are now active. 4-year license costs $1,050. Roadway cafés operate April 1 – November 29 only. Annual revocable consent fees apply.
    Outdoor diningDOT
    1
    Apr '26
    ESSTA amendments — employees can now sue directly for sick leave violations
    Since March 2024, NYC employees have a private right of action for Earned Safe and Sick Time Act violations, with a 2-year window to sue. Audit your sick leave policies now.
    LaborSick leaveNYC

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