Street Vending in NYC

Note: DCWP is in the process of updating this webpage. Please check back for updates.  

Office of Street Vendor Enforcement

March 20, 2023: Mayor Adams Re-establishes the Office of Street Vendor Enforcement within the Department of Sanitation.

May 25, 2022: Mayor Adams Announces Steps to Reform and Modernize Vending Regulations, Expanding Legal Opportunities for Street Vendors While Remaining Committed to Managing Public Space.

March 18, 2021: Read mayoral letter designating the Office of Street Vendor Enforcement to be established in DCWP.

Educational Resources: General Vendors

• Use our checklist to learn what our inspectors look for and help avoid violations.
  • Download Inspection Checklist for General Vendors in:
    English | Español (Spanish) | العربية (Arabic) | বাংলা (Bengali) | 简体中文 (Chinese - Simplified) | 繁體中文 (Chinese - Traditional) | Français (French) | Kreyòl Ayisyen (Haitian Creole) | 한국어 (Korean) | Język Polski (Polish) | Русский (Russian) | ردو (Urdu) | Wolof (Wolof)
  • Download Inspection Checklist for Specialized Vending in:
    English


• Read laws and rules applicable to general vendors:
  New York City Administrative Code | Title 20: Consumer and Worker Protection | Chapter 2: Licenses | Subchapter 27: General Vendors
  Rules of the City of New York | Title 6: Department of Consumer and Worker Protection | Chapter 2: Licenses | Subchapter AA: General Vendors
  Rules of the City of New York | Title 6: Department of Consumer and Worker Protection | Chapter 6: Administrative Hearings | Subchapter B: Penalties | § 6-68 General Vendor Penalty Schedule
  New York State General Business Law Article 4 Section 35-a Veterans of the armed forces who vend in cities having a population of one million or more

Educational Resources: Mobile Food Vendors

• Use our checklist to learn what our inspectors look for and help avoid violations. Download Inspection Checklist for Mobile Food Vendors in:
  English | Español (Spanish) | العربية (Arabic) | বাংলা (Bengali) | 简体中文 (Chinese - Simplified) | 繁體中文 (Chinese - Traditional) | Français (French) | Kreyòl Ayisyen (Haitian Creole) | 한국어 (Korean) | Język Polski (Polish) | Русский (Russian) | ردو (Urdu) | Wolof (Wolof)


• Read laws and rules applicable to mobile food vendors:
  New York City Administrative Code | Title 17: Health | Chapter 3: Licenses and Permits | Subchapter 2: Food Vendors
  Rules of the City of New York | Title 24: Department of Health and Mental Hygiene | Chapter 6: Mobile Food Vending
  Rules of the City of New York | Title 24: Department of Health and Mental Hygiene | New York City Health Code | Title IV: Environmental Sanitation | Part A: Food and Drugs | Article 89: Mobile Food Vending


• Visit Mobile Food Vendors webpage to get guidance and tools.

Vending Licenses

Apply for a General Vendor License*
Apply for a Mobile Food Vending License*
Apply for a Temporary Street Fair Permit
*Important: The number of street vending licenses are limited by law with long waiting lists. Please read all eligibility requirements before submitting an application.

Vending Maps

General Vendor Street Restrictions Map: DCWP issues General Vendor licenses (White) and two specialized licenses (Yellow and Blue). This map highlights the street restrictions for licensed General Vendors. View NYC General Vendor Street Restrictions Map.
Note: First Amendment vendors (those vendors who exclusively sell items covered by the First Amendment, including written materials (newspapers, periodicals, books, pamphlets) and artwork (paintings, photographs, prints, sculptures, face paintings, balloon animals) must follow the same street restrictions as Blue Specialized Licensees on the map.

Mobile Food Vending Streets Map: DOHMH issues Mobile Food Vendor licenses and permits. This interactive map shows where you are allowed to vend food from a cart or truck. It also provides information on specific location restrictions. View Mobile Food Vending Streets Map.

Complaints

Make a complaint about a vendor operating on City streets or sidewalks or at a street fair. Note: You will be redirected to the 311 online complaint form.