---
title: What legal requirements do I need to follow to start a small business in New York?
description: Looking to start a small business in New York? Legal Faqs has got you covered! Read our blog to learn about the essential legal requirements you need to follow to set up your business in the Empire State. From registering your business entity to obtaining necessary licenses and permits, we've got all the information you need to get started.
image: https://www.legalfaq.ai/hubfs/LegalFAQ/LegalFAQ.jpg
---

[Skip to content](https://www.legalfaq.ai/faqs/what-legal-requirements-do-i-need-to-follow-to-start-a-small-business-in-new-york#main-content)

[LegalFAQ.ai](https://www.legalfaq.ai/)

- [Home](https://www.legalfaq.ai)
- [Blog](https://www.legalfaq.ai/blog)
- [FAQ Library](https://www.legalfaq.ai/faqs/all)

Open main navigation

Close main navigation

- [Home](https://www.legalfaq.ai)
- [Blog](https://www.legalfaq.ai/blog)
- [FAQ Library](https://www.legalfaq.ai/faqs/all)
- [Ask a question](https://www.legalfaq.ai/ask)

[Ask a question](https://www.legalfaq.ai/ask)

[All posts](https://www.legalfaq.ai/faqs/all)

 March 18, 2023

# What legal requirements do I need to follow to start a small business in New York?

![Picture of Chris Battis](https://www.legalfaq.ai/hs-fs/hubfs/battis-mug.jpg?width=50&name=battis-mug.jpg) By  [Chris Battis](https://www.legalfaq.ai/faqs/author/chris-battis)  ·   1 minute read

To start a small business in New York, there are a number of legal requirements that must be followed. These requirements include:

1. Registering your business with the state: All businesses operating in New York, with the exception of sole proprietorships, must register with the state. The process involves filing a Certificate of Incorporation (for corporations) or Articles of Organization (for LLCs) with the New York Department of State.
2. Obtaining any necessary permits and licenses: Depending on the type of business you plan to start, you may need to obtain one or more permits and/or licenses from the state or local government. For example, a restaurant will require health and safety inspections and liquor licenses.
3. Registering for taxes: All New York businesses are required to register with the state and obtain a tax ID number. This is necessary to collect and remit sales tax, and to arrange for any other tax obligations, such as income tax.
4. Ensuring compliance with labor laws: Businesses with employees must comply with New York labor laws, including minimum wage and overtime laws, and workers’ compensation insurance.
5. Following zoning and land use regulations: Ensure your business complies with all zoning and land use regulations that apply to the property or building where the business will be located.

To ensure compliance with all of these requirements, it is strongly recommended that you seek the advice of a qualified attorney or accountant. They can advise you on any specific requirements or exceptions that apply to your business, as well as assist in drafting any necessary legal documents or agreements.

Share: [facebook-f icon](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://www.legalfaq.ai/faqs/what-legal-requirements-do-i-need-to-follow-to-start-a-small-business-in-new-york) [linkedin-in icon](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.legalfaq.ai/faqs/what-legal-requirements-do-i-need-to-follow-to-start-a-small-business-in-new-york) [twitter icon](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https://www.legalfaq.ai/faqs/what-legal-requirements-do-i-need-to-follow-to-start-a-small-business-in-new-york) [pinterest-p icon](http://pinterest.com/pin/create/link/?url=https://www.legalfaq.ai/faqs/what-legal-requirements-do-i-need-to-follow-to-start-a-small-business-in-new-york) [envelope icon](mailto:?body=https://www.legalfaq.ai/faqs/what-legal-requirements-do-i-need-to-follow-to-start-a-small-business-in-new-york)

## Related posts

[![](https://www.legalfaq.ai/hubfs/LegalFAQ/illinois-legal-faqs.jpg)](https://www.legalfaq.ai/faqs/what-legal-steps-do-i-need-to-take-if-i-want-to-start-a-new-business-in-illinois)

[Illinois](https://www.legalfaq.ai/faqs/tag/illinois)

### [What legal steps do I need to take if I want to start a new business in Illinois?](https://www.legalfaq.ai/faqs/what-legal-steps-do-i-need-to-take-if-i-want-to-start-a-new-business-in-illinois)

[![](https://www.legalfaq.ai/hubfs/LegalFAQ/LegalFAQ.jpg)](https://www.legalfaq.ai/faqs/what-steps-do-i-need-to-take-if-i-want-to-start-a-business-in-new-york)

[New York](https://www.legalfaq.ai/faqs/tag/new-york)

### [What steps do I need to take if I want to start a business in New York?](https://www.legalfaq.ai/faqs/what-steps-do-i-need-to-take-if-i-want-to-start-a-business-in-new-york)

[![](https://www.legalfaq.ai/hubfs/LegalFAQ/ohio-legal-faqs.jpg)](https://www.legalfaq.ai/faqs/what-legal-steps-do-i-need-to-take-to-start-a-small-business-in-ohio-1680264731974)

[Ohio](https://www.legalfaq.ai/faqs/tag/ohio)

### [What legal steps do I need to take to start a small business in Ohio?](https://www.legalfaq.ai/faqs/what-legal-steps-do-i-need-to-take-to-start-a-small-business-in-ohio-1680264731974)

```json
{
  "@context" : "https://schema.org",
  "@type" : "BlogPosting",
  "author" : {
    "@type" : "Person",
    "name" : "Chris Battis",
    "url" : "https://www.legalfaq.ai/faqs/author/chris-battis"
  },
  "dateModified" : "2023-03-18T02:42:01.880Z",
  "datePublished" : "2023-03-18T02:42:01.000Z",
  "headline" : "What legal requirements do I need to follow to start a small business in New York?",
  "image" : [ "https://www.legalfaq.ai/hubfs/LegalFAQ/LegalFAQ.jpg" ],
  "mainEntityOfPage" : {
    "@id" : "https://www.legalfaq.ai/faqs/what-legal-requirements-do-i-need-to-follow-to-start-a-small-business-in-new-york",
    "@type" : "WebPage"
  },
  "publisher" : {
    "@type" : "Organization",
    "logo" : {
      "@type" : "ImageObject"
    },
    "name" : "LegalFAQ.ai"
  }
}
```

```json
{
  "@context" : "http://schema.org",
  "@type" : "Article",
  "author" : {
    "@type" : "Person",
    "name" : [ "Chris Battis" ],
    "url" : "https://www.legalfaq.ai/faqs/author/chris-battis"
  },
  "datePublished" : "2023-03-18T02:42:01+0000",
  "description" : "Looking to start a small business in New York? Legal Faqs has got you covered! Read our blog to learn about the essential legal requirements you need to follow to set up your business in the Empire State. From registering your business entity to obtaining necessary licenses and permits, we've got all the information you need to get started.",
  "headline" : "What legal requirements do I need to follow to start a small business in New York?",
  "image" : "https://www.legalfaq.ai/hubfs/LegalFAQ/LegalFAQ.jpg",
  "publisher" : {
    "@type" : "Organization",
    "logo" : {
      "@type" : "ImageObject",
      "url" : ""
    },
    "name" : "LegalFAQ.ai"
  },
  "url" : "https://www.legalfaq.ai/faqs/what-legal-requirements-do-i-need-to-follow-to-start-a-small-business-in-new-york"
}
```