Every year restaurant and bar owners are subjected to harsh fines, both monetary and criminal, as result of failing to post various signs as required by New York State and City laws.

GENERAL RULE: Although the requirements are constantly changing, the following is a list of signs that must be displayed in customer view: Equipment Use Permit; Occupancy Sign (in establishments holding more than 75 people); Sidewalk Cafe License (indicating number of tables and chairs); Local law 12: Taskforce/ Resuscitation Equipment; Sign Prohibiting the Sale of Cigarettes to Minors (if cigarettes are sold on the premises); Cigarette Retail License (if cigarettes are sold on premises); Operating Permit; Choking First Aid Sign; CPR Sign: Permit to Manufacture Frozen Desserts; Sign Indicating Availability of Most Recent Inspection Report; Alcohol and Pregnancy Warning; Alcohol and Beverage Control Law; Sales Tax Certificate; Signs Designating “Smoking” and “Non-Smoking” Areas; Exit Signs (required over each exit) or Exit Directional Signs (if exit is not in clear sight); Waste Carter and Times of Refuse Removal; and Nutritional Information Pertaining to Certain Items Termed “Diet” , “Light”, or Similarly Modified Foods.

The penalties for not posting these required signs range from minor monetary fines to seizure of assets and forced business closures.

The New York City Health Department requires that restaurants publicly post A, B, or C letter grade cards that summarize their sanitary inspection scores.  Not posting a grade card or posting it incorrectly is a serious violation that may result in large fines or loss of your permit. To avoid penalties, food service operators and their representatives and attorneys should follow these instructions carefully.

1. Where does the grade card have to be posted?
The grade (or grade pending) card must be posted on a front window, door or outside wall where it is easily seen by people passing by. The card must be within 5 feet of the entrance and from 4 to 6 feet off the ground or floor. If there is no direct entrance to the street, the Health Department sets the place to post the card. The Health Department tracks each grade card by its serial number. It may issue a Notice of Violation to any establishment that fails to post the right card, or posts it in the wrong place.

2. When am I required to post the grade or grade pending card?
The restaurant must post the grade or grade pending card as soon as the inspector provides it. If the restaurant receives both a grade card and a grade pending card, the operator has the choice of posting one of these two cards immediately, until it has had the chance for a hearing at the Administrative Tribunal.
3. Are there penalties for failing to post the grade card, or posting it incorrectly?
Yes. Not posting a grade card can result in fines of up to $1000. Posting the grade card incorrectly can result in a $200 fine. Repeated violations may result in loss of your permit.
4. How do I get a hearing at the Administrative Tribunal?
Everyone who receives a Notice of Violation has the right to a hearing at the Administrative Tribunal. Your scheduled hearing date is printed on the front of the Notice. Directions for how to respond to the Notice are on the back.
5. I had my hearing, and I was given a new grade card. What should I do with it?
When a restaurant receives a grade card at the Administrative Tribunal, it means that the Hearing Examiner’s decision changed the restaurants inspection score enough to change its grade.
You must immediately:
Post the grade card issued by the Tribunal, and
DESTROY the letter grade card and grade pending card that the inspector gave you
at the inspection.
6. I had my hearing, but I was not given a new grade card. Which card do I post now?
If you did not receive a new grade card at the Administrative Tribunal, it means that the Hearing Examiner’s decision did not change the restaurants inspection score enough to change its grade.
You must immediately:
Post the grade card that the inspector gave you at the inspection, and
DESTROY the grade pending card.
7. My restaurant accepted a settlement offer. Which card do I post now?
If you accepted a settlement, your inspection score and grade did not change.
You must immediately:
Post the grade card that the inspector gave you at the inspection, and
DESTROY the grade pending card.
8. What if I miss my hearing date at the Administrative Tribunal?
If you do not respond to your Notice of Violation by 1) accepting a settlement offer;
2) appearing at the Tribunal on your hearing date; 3) writing to the Tribunal for a hearing by mail; or 4) asking on or before your hearing date for an adjournment:
You must immediately:
Post the grade card that the inspector gave you at the inspection, and
DESTROY the grade pending card.
9. I asked for a new hearing date (“adjournment”). What card do I post in the meantime?
If this is the first adjournment you requested, you can continue to post your grade card, or grade pending card. If you ask for another adjournment or miss your second hearing date, you must post the letter grade card the inspector gave you at the inspection.
10. What if I receive a default decision?
If you received a default decision, it means that you did not respond to your Notice of Violation. You were required to post your grade card on the day you missed the hearing. If your grade card is not posted when you receive a default decision:
You must immediately:
Post the grade card the inspector gave you at the inspection, and
DESTROY the grade pending card.
11. Do I have to post the actual grade card? Can I post a photocopy or fax instead?
You must always post the actual letter grade card as required (see Question 1). You cannot substitute a photocopy or fax for the real grade card.
12. How do I replace a lost or damaged card?
You can get a new card at the Health Department’s Bureau of Food Safety and Community Sanitation, 253 Broadway (between Murray and Warren), 12th Floor, in Manhattan.

For all employees hired on or after October 26, 2009, the New York State Department of Labor requires employers to notify the employee, in writing, of their pay day and pay rate. The new law states that the notice:
1. Must be in writing in compliance with New York Labor Law Section 195.1.
2. Must include the regular rate of pay, overtime rate and regular payday.
3. Must be provided on a form available from the NYS Department of Labor. Get the form here:  www.labor.state.ny.us/workerprotection/laborstandards/PDFs/LS_52_Hourly_Rate_Plus_Overtime.pdf
4. Must be given to new employees before they do any work.
5. Employer must receive a written acknowledgment that the employee has received the notice.
For more info, see the NYS Department of Labor circular at: www.labor.state.ny.us/workerprotection/laborstandards/PDFs/P705_E.pdf

The New York City Mayor’s Office published a terrific guide that should be read by all individuals that own, or plan to own, a restaurant in NYC.  It’s a terrific resource for the basics of NY restaurant ownership.  Here’s the link to the guide:

http://www.nyc.gov/html/records/pdf/govpub/2737nycrestaurantguide-81606.pdf