Certificate of Occupancy / TCO / Letter of No Objection: New York City restaurant guide

NYC DOB

What it is

Confirms the space is legally usable as a restaurant. A CO or TCO covers the use; pre-1938 buildings without a CO use a Letter of No Objection (LNO) instead.

When a restaurant needs it

Every space — the document must cover eating & drinking use and your occupant load.

How to apply

Look up the existing CO in BIS (pre-March 2021) or DOB NOW; new or amended COs come out of the DOB job; LNOs are requested from the DOB borough office.

Documents you’ll need

Approved plans
Prior CO
Use / occupancy details

Fee

Varies — see DOB fee schedule

Processing time

Varies

Renewal

None — a CO has no expiration date

Who files

New/amended COs are obtained through a DOB job filed by a registered architect or engineer; anyone can look up an existing CO.

Good to know

A change of use, egress, or occupant load can require a new or amended CO — one of the most common timeline traps. Check the existing CO before you sign the lease.

Official source

DOB — Certificate of Occupancy · Look up your building (BIS)

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Last reviewed 2026-10-06. Guidance only, not legal advice.