Operating a small business in New York City has never been an easy task, with complex and onerous regulations, many of which having nothing to do with public safety. Throw in the economic hardships brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic and NYC small businesses found themselves in dire straits. However, it does seem like NYC is finally beginning to take steps to improve the odds of small business survival. First, the City Council passed a bills aiming to help small businesses by reducing the regulatory and financial burdens imposed on small businesses for certain violations. Then Small Business Services (SBS) announced the NYC Business Quick Start effort.
NYC Business Quick Start is an interagency effort led by SBS to cut red tape and position NYC as the most business-friendly large city in which to open or reopen a business.
Key features include:
- a concierge service where businesses have a sole point of contact to help navigate City regulations
- a public dashboard
- guaranteed 48-hour response to all small business inquiries
- cutting processing time by 50 percent
NYC Business Quick Start is a collaboration between several key agencies including SBS, Department of Buildings (DOB), Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH), and the New York City Fire Department (FDNY).
The effort includes SBS Small Business Advocates which will help:
- Understand key City rules and requirements to avoid fines and violations
- Connect to government agencies to get the permits and licenses you need for your business
- Learn how to resolve any violations your business has received
SBS will also provide compliance consultations to better explain city rules and teach businesses how to avoid fines and violations by addressing the most issued compliance challenges.
Another tool useful to small businesses as they seek to recover from the pandemic is the small business playbook.
*Note: SBS will NOT issues fines or violations, however the consultation will not discuss all rules and regulations and will not exempt your business from the inspection and enforcement processes of City, State, or Federal agencies. If you have already received a violation, our staff can help you understand what it means and how to resolve it.
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