A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to the licensing and operation of non-tobacco hookah establishments, to repeal subdivision l of section 17-508 of such code, relating to permit revocation for non-tobacco hookah establishments, to repeal subdivision d of section 17-513.1 of such code, relating to the timing of applications for permits for non-tobacco hookah establishments, to repeal section 17-513.5 of such code, relating to a permitting scheme for non-tobacco hookah establishments, to repeal subdivisions b and c of section 17-716 of such code, relating to enforcement of age of entry and cleaning requirements applicable to non-tobacco hookah establishments, to repeal section 17-719 of such code, relating to age of entry and cleaning requirements for non-tobacco hookah establishments, and to amend the New York city fire code, in relation to accounting for the new licensing scheme pertaining to non-tobacco hookah establishments

Summary

This bill would repeal the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene’s (DOHMH)’s current permitting system for non-tobacco hookah establishments and replace it with a non-tobacco hookah establishment licensing scheme implemented by the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP). Unlike the current permitting system, the bill would allow new licenses to be granted to establishments that generate half or more of their sales from serving non-tobacco shisha. It would also allow licenses to be granted to restaurants and bars to serve non-tobacco shisha between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 4:00 a.m. Only people aged 21 and over would be allowed entry into businesses serving non-tobacco shisha, and these businesses would still be subject to existing restrictions on tobacco, nicotine, and cannabis smoke. The bill would also amend the Fire Code and definitions related to hookah in the Administrative Code to reflect this new licensing scheme.

Official summary of legislation · NYC Council