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Café
NYC permit timeline · coffee + café

How long it takes to permit a NYC café.

Total project timeline
16-28 weeks
(4-7 months from lease)
Permits / filings
8
Critical path
DOH Article 81

Simplest permit stack of any concept. DOH Article 81 + DOB PW1 + (optional) Tavern Wine for beer-and-wine. Sidewalk café via Dining Out NYC adds 6-14 weeks if pursuing.

Filing-to-issuance timeline
DOBDOB PW1
DOB Plan/Work Application (PW1)
File: -22w to -14w · Lead: 6-14 weeks
DOHDOH Article 81
DOH Food Service Establishment Plan Review (Article 81)
File: -18w to -12w · Lead: 4-10 weeks
FDNYFDNY Hood/Ansul
FDNY Hood Suppression System Approval (Type I Hood + Ansul)
File: -16w to -10w · Lead: 6-12 weeks
NYSLANYSLA On-Premise
s Liquor License (Full / Restaurant / Tavern Wine)
File: -28w to -20w · Lead: 16-28 weeks
DCWPDining Out NYC
NYC Sidewalk Café License (DCWP)
File: -20w to -14w · Lead: 6-14 weeks
DOBDOB C of O / TCO
DOB Certificate of Occupancy / Temporary CofO
File: -8w to -4w · Lead: 4-12 weeks
DOHDOH FSE Permit
DOH Food Service Establishment Permit
File: -4w to -2w · Lead: 2-6 weeks
DOHDOH FPC
DOH Food Protection Certificate (Manager-on-Duty)
File: -5w to -3w · Lead: 2-3 weeks
Permit-by-permit detail
DOB

DOB PW1

DOB Plan/Work Application (PW1) — ALT-1 / ALT-2 / NB

Architect-sealed plans filed via DOB NOW. ALT-2 (no use/egress change) typical for 2nd-gen restaurant. ALT-1 needed for change-of-use or POA threshold trigger.

⚠ Plan-examiner objections add 2-6 weeks per round. Expediter relationships materially shorten cycle time.

Lead time
6-14 weeks
File at week
-22 to -14
Cost
$2,500-$15K filing fees + $20K-$60K design fees
Official portal →
DOHCritical path

DOH Article 81

DOH Food Service Establishment Plan Review (Article 81)

Required for new food service permit. Plan review covers refrigeration, handwash sinks, food protection, dishwashing, restrooms.

⚠ 3-compartment sink + handwash sink placement is the most common objection. Pre-design with kitchen designer to avoid 2-4 week re-submittal cycles.

Lead time
4-10 weeks
File at week
-18 to -12
Cost
$280 application + $0 plan review
Official portal →
FDNY

FDNY Hood/Ansul

FDNY Hood Suppression System Approval (Type I Hood + Ansul)

Only if cooking equipment installed

Lead time
6-12 weeks
File at week
-16 to -10
Cost
$8K-$45K installed + $400-$800 semi-annual service
Official portal →
NYSLA

NYSLA On-Premise

NYSLA On-Premises Liquor License (Full / Restaurant / Tavern Wine)

Tavern Wine (TW) — only if beer/wine served. Skip if pure café.

Lead time
16-28 weeks
File at week
-28 to -20
Cost
$960-$4,400 application + $200 filing + $100-$200 fingerprinting/person
Official portal →
DCWP

Dining Out NYC

NYC Dining Out NYC Sidewalk Café License (DCWP)

Optional — if pursuing year-round outdoor dining

Lead time
6-14 weeks
File at week
-20 to -14
Cost
$1,050-$2,625 every 4 yrs
Official portal →
DOB

DOB C of O / TCO

DOB Certificate of Occupancy / Temporary CofO

Final sign-off after all inspections (DOB + FDNY + DOH coordinated). TCO at 90% construction is the standard path to opening, full C of O follows within 60-180 days.

⚠ TCO is gated on every other agency clearing its inspection. Single-trade hold-ups can delay opening by 4-8 weeks.

Lead time
4-12 weeks
File at week
-8 to -4
Cost
Included in PW1 fees
Official portal →
DOH

DOH FSE Permit

DOH Food Service Establishment Permit

Issued after pre-operational inspection passes. Permit valid 1-2 years, renewable. Includes Letter Grade inspection cycle.

⚠ Pre-op inspection scheduled only after all construction punch-list items closed. Schedule 2-3 weeks ahead.

Lead time
2-6 weeks
File at week
-4 to -2
Cost
$280/yr
Official portal →
DOH

DOH FPC

DOH Food Protection Certificate (Manager-on-Duty)

At least one FPC-certified manager on duty during all operating hours. 15-hour online course + exam.

Lead time
2-3 weeks
File at week
-5 to -3
Cost
$24-$130 online course
Official portal →
Next step

The full café opening playbook →

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