PERMITTING
for nyc markets
Temporary Food service establishment permit
or
Food Service Establishment Permit
You must have a valid TFSE permit with you at all times unless you already operate a restaurant in which case a photocopy of your restaurant’s FSE permit can be used in its place. These relatively cheap, annual permits are transferable (i.e. can be used at all Smorgasburg locations) but you do need to have it physically in your booth each day. Each week we will spot check and will close your booth down if we find you not to have one. We will be inspected by the NYC Dept. of Health who charge large fines for missing or out-of-date permits.
Copies of both these documents should be sent to booking@smorgasburg.com. It is your responsibility to update these documents when necessary and send us the updated copies.
Ways to schedule an appointment for a TFSE.
By email : LicensingAppointments@dca.nyc.gov
By phone: (212) 436-0441
(Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.)
These appointments can have a long wait time to secure. Make sure this is a top priority to getting you selling at the markets as quickly as possible.
NYC Propane Cooking
If you cook using propane gas you must have a G23 certificate of fitness from the FDNY. You take a short test at their headquarters to get this (very easy). You don't have to send this to us but we will close your booth down if we check and you don't have one. We are always inspected by the FDNY for compliance so this is mandatory.
for JERSEY CITY MARKETs
SPECIAL FOOD VENDOR PERMIT
The Health Department works in conjunction with the Department of Cultural Affairs to issue food licenses. There is a $25 per event fee for a special event food license. Most vendors choose to collect permits monthly in-person in Jersey City.
To apply for the permit, you must fill out and send us the Special Events Food Vendor Form first. Once we receive this document it will be submitted to JCDOH on your behalf. This information will take 48 hours to process, after which you can apply with Jersey City.
Next, you must email Robin Pinkowitz (PinkowitzR@jcnj.org) for an appointment to apply for your permit. Fill out the attached Application for a Temporary Food Vendor and bring it to your appointment. Use your business name connected to your business including DBA if applicable.
Be sure to reference the checklist below. It is a breakdown of all the required documentation that you must bring to your appointment to apply for the permit.
If you already own a Jersey City-based business license for food that is not expired please email a copy to booking@smorgasburg.com so we can pass it on to the Health Department for approval.
JC Fire Permit
Cooking Permit for regular stands is a $125 one-time payment for the entire year.
You need this if you cook with charcoal, wood, or use a gas grill/burner of any kind. However you don’t need one if you don’t cook anything, and you don’t need one if you ONLY use a deep fryer with propane as that is not considered “open flame”. We will be inspected regularly by the fire department. So, if you have any open flame of cooking in your booth you must have an annual permit.
Complete the attached form, Smorgasburg Fire Permit Application, and take it to the fire department (address on the form) to get an annual fire permit.