Start a Specific Business in New York

Industry-by-industry guides to licences, permits, startup costs and first steps for 70 kinds of New York business.

New to this? Start with the New York business formation guide, then come back for the specifics.

a Courier and Delivery BusinessLicences, permits and startup costs in New YorkRead the guide →a Catering BusinessLicences, permits and startup costs in New YorkRead the guide →a Junk Removal BusinessLicences, permits and startup costs in New YorkRead the guide →a Handyman BusinessLicences, permits and startup costs in New YorkRead the guide →a Bakery BusinessLicences, permits and startup costs in New YorkRead the guide →a Towing BusinessLicences, permits and startup costs in New YorkRead the guide →a Coffee Shop BusinessLicences, permits and startup costs in New YorkRead the guide →a Lawn Care BusinessLicences, permits and startup costs in New YorkRead the guide →an Electrical Business: Local Licensing ExplainedLicences, permits and startup costs in New YorkRead the guide →a Plumbing Business: Local Licensing ExplainedLicences, permits and startup costs in New YorkRead the guide →an HVAC BusinessLicences, permits and startup costs in New YorkRead the guide →a Roofing BusinessLicences, permits and startup costs in New YorkRead the guide →a Pest Control Business: DEC LicensingLicences, permits and startup costs in New YorkRead the guide →a Home Inspection BusinessLicences, permits and startup costs in New YorkRead the guide →a Landscaping BusinessLicences, permits and startup costs in New YorkRead the guide →a Cleaning BusinessLicences, permits and startup costs in New YorkRead the guide →an Asbestos Abatement BusinessLicences, permits and startup costs in New YorkRead the guide →a Real Estate Brokerage: Licenses and StepsLicences, permits and startup costs in New YorkRead the guide →a Property Management CompanyLicences, permits and startup costs in New YorkRead the guide →How to Become a Notary (and Start a Notary Business)Licences, permits and startup costs in New YorkRead the guide →a Tax Preparation BusinessLicences, permits and startup costs in New YorkRead the guide →an Insurance AgencyLicences, permits and startup costs in New YorkRead the guide →a Staffing Agency: Employment Agency LicensingLicences, permits and startup costs in New YorkRead the guide →Starting a Crypto Business: The BitLicense ExplainedLicences, permits and startup costs in New YorkRead the guide →How to Become a Process ServerLicences, permits and startup costs in New YorkRead the guide →a Security Guard CompanyLicences, permits and startup costs in New YorkRead the guide →a Private Investigation BusinessLicences, permits and startup costs in New YorkRead the guide →How to Become a Bail BondsmanLicences, permits and startup costs in New YorkRead the guide →How to Open a Hair Salon: Appearance Enhancement LicensesLicences, permits and startup costs in New YorkRead the guide →How to Open a BarbershopLicences, permits and startup costs in New YorkRead the guide →How to Open a Nail Salon: Licenses and the Wage BondLicences, permits and startup costs in New YorkRead the guide →How to Open a Med Spa or Esthetics StudioLicences, permits and startup costs in New YorkRead the guide →How to Open a Tattoo Shop: NYC and County LicensesLicences, permits and startup costs in New YorkRead the guide →a Massage Therapy BusinessLicences, permits and startup costs in New YorkRead the guide →a Daycare: OCFS Licensing ExplainedLicences, permits and startup costs in New YorkRead the guide →a Home Care Agency: LHCSA Licensing and CDPAP ChangesLicences, permits and startup costs in New YorkRead the guide →How to Open an Assisted Living FacilityLicences, permits and startup costs in New YorkRead the guide →an Adult Day CareLicences, permits and startup costs in New YorkRead the guide →a Medical Transportation (NEMT) BusinessLicences, permits and startup costs in New YorkRead the guide →a Group Home (OPWDD and OMH Providers)Licences, permits and startup costs in New YorkRead the guide →a Pet Business: Grooming, Boarding and Pet StoresLicences, permits and startup costs in New YorkRead the guide →a Food Truck Business (Outside NYC)Licences, permits and startup costs in New YorkRead the guide →How to Open a Restaurant (Outside NYC)Licences, permits and startup costs in New YorkRead the guide →New York Cottage Food Law: a Home Food BusinessLicences, permits and startup costs in New YorkRead the guide →How to Get a Liquor License (and Open a Bar)Licences, permits and startup costs in New YorkRead the guide →How to Open a Liquor StoreLicences, permits and startup costs in New YorkRead the guide →a Farm Winery, Brewery or DistilleryLicences, permits and startup costs in New YorkRead the guide →a Vending Machine BusinessLicences, permits and startup costs in New YorkRead the guide →How to Open a Cannabis DispensaryLicences, permits and startup costs in New YorkRead the guide →How to Open a Smoke Shop: Tobacco, Vape and Hemp RulesLicences, permits and startup costs in New YorkRead the guide →a Trucking Company: HUT and DOT AuthorityLicences, permits and startup costs in New YorkRead the guide →a Moving CompanyLicences, permits and startup costs in New YorkRead the guide →How to Open a Car Dealership: DMV Dealer RegistrationLicences, permits and startup costs in New YorkRead the guide →How to Open an Auto Repair ShopLicences, permits and startup costs in New YorkRead the guide →a Car Wash BusinessLicences, permits and startup costs in New YorkRead the guide →an Online Store: Sales Tax and RegistrationLicences, permits and startup costs in New YorkRead the guide →How to Open a LaundromatLicences, permits and startup costs in New YorkRead the guide →a Clothing Brand: Apparel Industry RegistrationLicences, permits and startup costs in New YorkRead the guide →How to Open a Pawn ShopLicences, permits and startup costs in New YorkRead the guide →an Airbnb State: Registries, Sales Tax and Local RulesLicences, permits and startup costs in New YorkRead the guide →a Farm or Agritourism BusinessLicences, permits and startup costs in New YorkRead the guide →How to Become a Licensed Hunting or Fishing GuideLicences, permits and startup costs in New YorkRead the guide →How to Open a GymLicences, permits and startup costs in New YorkRead the guide →How to Get a Home Improvement Contractor License in NYCLicences, permits and startup costs in New YorkRead the guide →How to Get a Food Truck or Food Cart Permit in NYCLicences, permits and startup costs in New YorkRead the guide →How to Open a Restaurant in NYC: DOHMH Permits and Letter GradesLicences, permits and startup costs in New YorkRead the guide →How to Get a Liquor License in NYC: Community Boards and the 500-Foot RuleLicences, permits and startup costs in New YorkRead the guide →How to Get a TLC License in NYC and Start a For-Hire BusinessLicences, permits and startup costs in New YorkRead the guide →Airbnb in NYC: Local Law 18 Registration Rules for HostsLicences, permits and startup costs in New YorkRead the guide →How to Open a Bodega or Deli in NYCLicences, permits and startup costs in New YorkRead the guide →

Skip the paperwork

Let a pro file your New York business for you

Filing in New York means state registration, an EIN, and a registered agent. These two services handle all of it, and here's our honest take on when to use each.

Top pick · Best value

Northwest Registered Agent

$39 + state fee

Keeps your home address private
Free registered agent for year one
Real US-based support, no upsell maze

Best for: most New York founders who want privacy and value without the markup.

Form my New York LLC →

BetterLegal

Fastest setup · premium

Business filed in about 2 business days
Bundles your EIN + operating agreement
One streamlined, hands-off checkout

Best for: founders who need it done fast with everything bundled.

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Affiliate partners: we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Pricing is set by each provider and may change.