Street Vending in NYC

A mobile food vendor is a person who sells food – including prepared food or drink, prepackaged food or drink, and produce -- from a mobile food vending unit in any public, private or restricted space.

A mobile food vending unit is a food service establishment within a pushcart or vehicle that is used to store, prepare, display, serve or sell food — or distribute it free of charge — for consumption in a place other than in or on the unit. Any such pushcart or vehicle is considered a mobile food vending unit, whether it's operated indoors or outdoors on public, private or restricted space.

A food vendor must have a food vendor license or a supervisory license, and the unit must have a permit.

The NYC Department of Health & Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) issues mobile food vending permits and licenses.

Permit holders and licensed vendors must provide and keep their email and mailing address up to date with DOHMH. Permit holders and licensed vendors may also update their email and mailing address at the time of renewal.

What Mobile Food Vendors Should Know

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Mobile Food Vendor (MFV) License

All individuals who work on a mobile food cart or truck must hold a Mobile Food Vendor License. Even if you are just working as an employee on a cart for one day, you must hold a Mobile Food Vendor License.

Supervisory License and Permit

Local Law 18 of 2021 and Local Law 54 of 2026 changed how mobile food vendors can get a new year-round (full-term) citywide or non-Manhattan mobile food vending permit and increases the number of permits by 12,780 by 2031. Specifically, the new laws:

• Create a new type of MFV license called a supervisory license. A supervisory license allows vendors to apply for one permit. There are two types of supervisory licenses: a citywide license and a license for all boroughs except Manhattan
• Require a supervisory license holder to be present at all times a mobile food vendor unit is in operation
• Require the NYC Health Department to offer the following number of licenses per calendar year, for five consecutive years beginning on July 1, 2026
  • 1,500 supervisory licenses for all boroughs except Manhattan
  • 500 supervisory licenses for all boroughs including Manhattan
  • 200 supervisory licenses for disabled peoples and U.S. veterans

These changes do not apply to green cart, temporary (seasonal) or restricted area permits. A supervisory license is not required for these units.

• Important Requirements for Supervisory License Permits
• Download "Important Requirements for Supervisory License Permits" in other languages: Español | 中文 | 简体中文 | বাংলা | العربية

• Supervisory License Presentation Slides: What Mobile Food Vendors Should Know
• Download "Supervisory License Presentation Slides: What Mobile Food Vendors Should Know" in other languages: Español | 中文 | 简体中文 | বাংলা | العربية

• Supervisory Licenses: What Mobile Food Vendors Need to Know
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Key Information

A supervisory license can only be issued to an individual person. A vendor can apply for a full-term permit for the area indicated on their supervisory license. A vendor can apply any time for a Supervisory License Permit after receiving their supervisory license (as long as the Supervisory license is active). A supervisory license holder can vend on the same types of units as a mobile food vendor license holder.

• If you have a citywide supervisory license, you may work as the supervisory license holder on any supervisory license permitted unit. If you have a non-Manhattan supervisory license, you may work as the supervisory license holder on any supervisory license permitted unit outside of Manhattan.
• A unit with a supervisory license permit must also have a person with a supervisory license vending whenever the unit is operating.
  • At least one person with a citywide supervisory license must be working on-site when operating in Manhattan.
  • At least one person with a non-Manhattan or citywide supervisory license must be working on-site when operating outside of Manhattan.
• If your supervisory license expires, you will lose your supervisory license and right to a supervisory license permit. You may return to a mobile food vendor license at any point after.
• If you decline the supervisory license, you can keep your mobile food vendor license and work on any permitted MFV unit (including a supervisory license-permitted unit, if a supervisory license holder is present).

How Can I Get a Supervisory License?

Applications for these new supervisory licenses will be offered to people currently on waiting lists created in 2022, which are currently closed.

• To check your current place on a mobile food vending waiting list, visit the Waiting List Lookup Tool.

Once these waiting lists have been exhausted, the NYC Health Department will create new waiting lists.

• Only individuals who hold current Mobile Food Vendor Licenses will be eligible to be added to any waitlist for supervisory licenses.
• If you already have a mobile food vending license, the NYC Health Department will automatically notify you when the waiting list opens. If you do not have a mobile food vending license, you can sign up to get a notification.

Citywide or borough-specific permits issued before July 1, 2022

If you currently have a citywide or borough-specific permit that was issued before July 1, 2022, your unit will not require a supervisory license holder until July 1, 2031, at which point your MFV license will convert to a supervisory license equivalent to the existing permit.

The NYC Health Department will issue rules on this requirement at a later date.

Vendors who currently own and operate food trucks/carts with a citywide or borough-specific permit will continue with the existing permit until one of the following occurs:

• The permit is not renewed or is revoked
  • Every time a citywide or borough-specific permits issued before July 1, 2022 is not renewed or if its revoked, it will be transferred to the new supervisory license system and distributed to someone on the waitlist
• It is July 1, 2031, at which point your MFV license will convert to a supervisory license

Mobile Food Vendor Permits

The number of street food vendor permits the City can issue is limited by law. The NYC Health Department has different types of permits, each has a different number available..

Year-round (full-term) permits, valid for a two-year period:

• Citywide permits
• Non-Manhattan permits allow vending in NYC boroughs except Manhattan
• Green cart permits allow vending of fruit, vegetables, plain nuts, and water in certain neighborhoods.

Seasonal permits:

• Seasonal (temporary) citywide permits allow vending from April 1 to October 31 each year.

Specialized vendor licenses are for veterans with a service-related disability. Specialized vendors can be either general or mobile food vendors.

Specialized vendors who hold Citywide Specialized vending licenses (Yellow) or Midtown Core Zone vending licenses (Blue) can vend in certain restricted areas. If they operate in other locations, they must follow the regular restrictions that apply to all general and mobile food vendors.

Educational resources for specialized vendors:

• Specialized vendor license application
• Specialized vendor license regulations

New York City Green Carts are food carts and trucks that sell fresh fruits and vegetables and other healthy foods in neighborhoods that have historically lacked access to fresh produce.

Green Carts can offer healthy foods such as:

• Whole, uncut raw fruits and vegetables such as whole carrots, bananas, apples and berries
• Bottled drinking water
• Plain nuts
• Pre-packaged sliced or cut fruits and vegetables (if the food cart or truck has equipment to keep food cold)

If you are the owner of a Green Cart, you must have a Green Cart permit issued by the NYC Health Department to operate. If you vend on a Green Cart, you must have a mobile food vending license issued by the NYC Health Department. 

Where Green Carts Can Operate

Green Carts must operate within a designated police precinct and follow mobile food vending rules.

• Citywide Green Cart Map
• Download the "Citywide Green Cart Map" in other languages: Español | Русский | 中文 | 简体中文 | Kreyòl ayisyen | 한국어 | বাংলা | Polski | العربية | Français | ελληνικά | فارسى | Italiano | Türkçe | ײִדיש | اردو

Green Cart Permits

1,000 Green Cart permits are available: 350 for Brooklyn, 350 for the Bronx, 150 for Manhattan, 100 for Queens and 50 for Staten Island. There is a waiting list for each borough.

At this time, you can apply to join the Green Cart waiting list for the Bronx, Brooklyn, or Staten Island. When Green Cart permits become available for Queens and Manhattan, the NYC Health Department will make an announcement.

Mobile food vending permits are valid for up to two years and must be renewed before the expiration date. A renewal application form and instructions are mailed to each permit holder at the address of record three months prior to expiration. You must complete and return the form with updated supporting documentation and the appropriate permit fee (if applicable).

If you currently have a citywide or borough-specific permit that was issued before July 1, 2022, you can continue to renew your permit and will not need a supervisory license to renew until July 1, 2031.

If you plan to vend food at a street fair, festival, block party, farmers market, or special event in New York City, additional permits or approvals may be required. Vendors will need to hold a Temporary Food Service Establishment Permit and register with the authorized event where they plan to vend. Permits must be associated directly with a City-authorized event. Event permits are typically coordinated through the Street Activity Permit Office (SAPO) and event organizers.

The NYC Health Department mobile food vending inspection facility has moved to 1235 Zerega Avenue in the Bronx.

• The facility in Maspeth is now closed.
• Call 212-676-1600 to schedule inspection appointments.

Mobile food vending units are required to post letter grades based on the scores received on sanitary inspections. An inspection score of 0 to 13 points is an A grade, 14 to 27 points is a B grade, and 28 or more points is a C grade. The letter grade is posted on the unit’s permit decal.

For more information, see:

• Letter Grading for Mobile Food Vending Units: What Vendors Need to Know
  • Download "Letter Grading for Mobile Food Vending Units: What Vendors Need to Know" in other languages: Español | বাংলা | العربية
• Self-Inspection Worksheet for Mobile Food Vending Units
• Mobile Food Vending Inspection Scoring Parameters: A Guide to Conditions

A commissary is where food vendors store, set up, and clean their mobile food vendor units. Commissaries must have a permit from the NYC Health Department. Food carts and trucks must be stored at the facility when not in use and returned to the facility at least once each day for cleaning and maintenance.

All commissaries should provide the following:

• Cleaning and sanitizing equipment, including sinks
• Potable water (water that is safe to drink)
• Equipment for the disposal of liquid and solid waste
• Storage space for vending units
• Separate and enclosed areas for washing mobile vending units
• Food preparation areas and supplies
• Food storage equipment
• Propane storage space approved by the NYC Fire Department (FDNY)
• Daily Logs:
  • Commissaries and other approved facilities must keep daily records of vendor use.
  • These records must identify vending units by permit or decal number.
  • Records must include the date and time the facilities were used and for what purpose

What should you do at your commissary?

• You must store your food vending unit at a commissary, depot, or alternate approved facility – not at home. 
• You must clean and service your food vending unit at least once every day. This must be done at the commissary or at another place approved by the NYC Health Department.
• You must prepare your food at a commissary using the commissary’s food preparation facilities. All foods, including ice, must be purchased from sources that comply with federal, State, and City Laws. You must also buy already-prepared foods at the commissary to sell on your unit.

Before leaving the commissary for vending, remember to:

• Completely fill your fresh water tank for food prep, hand washing and utensil washing
• Store enough ice to keep all food cold, if mechanical refrigeration is not allowed on your food vending unit
• Store enough soap and paper towels for your hand wash sink
• Store enough clean utensils for the day unless you have sinks to clean them on your unit
• Empty your liquid wastewater
• Get your propane

Returning to the commissary at the end of the day:

• Do not leave any propane tanks on your unit. Return all propane tanks to the commissary’s propane storage area
• Do no leave any food on your unit; return all foods to dry or refrigerated storage
• Clean all utensils and cookware using the commissary’s dishwashing facilities
• Store all non-food supplies (including utensils and cookware) securely to avoid contamination.
• Clean the inside and outside of your unit using the commissary’s facilities
• Put garbage and liquid waste in the commissary’s waste-disposal facilities

More Information About Commissaries

A mobile food vending commissary or depot must have a Non-Retail Food Establishment Permit.

MAP: This interactive map shows where you can find a commissary to clean, service, and store your food cart or truck.

Permit holders must provide a Commissary Agreement at their NYC Health Department pre-permit inspection. If the agreement changes, the permit holder must notify the NYC Health Department within 10 days of the change with an updated agreement.

• Mobile Food Vending Unit Commissary Agreement (fillable)

Units that offer uncut fruit and vegetables or non-potentially hazardous unpackaged or prepackaged foods can apply to use an alternative facility to clean and store their unit.

• Application to Service Mobile Food Vending Unit at An Alternative Facility

Mobile Food Vendors must follow strict rules for the time and location they vend as required by law. Before you begin vending, check to make sure you are in compliance with the following rules:

1. Vending on a street that is not restricted
   • You can view the PDF guide or online map below to see where you are not allowed to vend food from a cart or truck.
     • Restricted Streets Guide
     • Mobile Food Vending Restricted Streets Map
2. Located 10 feet or more from a crosswalk at an intersection, subway entrance and exit, or driveway
3. Located on a sidewalk that is 12 feet or wider
4. Located 18 inches or less from the curb edge
5. If vending from a cart, occupying no more than 5 feet wide by 10 feet long
6. Located 20 feet or more from a building entrance or sidewalk cafe
7. Not touching any infrastructure (i.e. fire hydrant, bench, etc.)
8. Not within a bus stop or taxi stand or on the sidewalk next to a “no standing” zone that is next to a hospital
9. Not on a median unless the median is a pedestrian mall or plaza (has space for pedestrians to walk)

Get educational highlights and tips to help understand Mobile Food Vendor Licensing Law regulations.

• Download educational highlights and tips for Mobile Food Vendors in other languages: 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)

Place the Vending Unit Only Where Allowed

• See Where Mobile Food Vendors Can Vend for an overview of the best practices for determining your vending location
• Measure the distance from the outer edge of the vending unit to the nearest entrance of any nearby buildings, stores, theaters, sports arenas or other public place. The distance must be at least 20 feet
• Measure the distance from the outer edge of the vending unit to the closest crosswalk, subway entrance or bus stop. The distance must be at least 10 feet
• Do not place the vending unit on any sidewalk that is less than 12 feet wide
• Do not place the vending unit on any street that is restricted to vending by law

For Food Trucks:

• Be sure the vending unit is not more than 6 feet away from the edge of the sidewalk, and is not in a metered parking spot
• Your vehicle must have a current Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) registration, an inspection sticker, and insurance
• You must obey the same placement regulations as mobile food vending carts
• You must obey all traffic regulations
• You may not idle engines

Keep Clean and Wash Hands

• Wear clean clothes and change aprons or other outer garments when they get dirty or contaminated with raw meat
• Wear a hat or other head covering that keeps your hair off your face and out of the way
• If you prepare and cook raw or other potentially hazardous foods, make sure the handwash sink is working and that soap and paper towels or napkins are nearby

Hold Food at the Proper Temperatures

• Keep cold food below 41 degrees F and keep hot food above 140 degrees F
• Review NYC Health Department rules for temperature-holding requirements
• Be sure equipment used to hold hot and cold food is working properly
• Use thermometers to monitor the temperature of foods in hot or cold storage often

Protect Food from Contamination

• Keep food covered until served
• Keep food separated by temperature and type. Avoid cross-contamination by storing raw potentially hazardous foods (e.g., raw poultry) separately from ready-to-eat items (e.g. salad mix).

Maintain All Non-Food Surfaces

• Review NYC Health Department rules on acceptable non-food materials; surfaces should be smooth, hard, non-absorbent and easily cleanable
• Keep all surfaces clean and in good condition (i.e. no holes, cracks or openings).

Wear Your Mobile Food Vendor License

• Make sure everyone on the unit has a valid Mobile Food Vendor License
• Wear the license so your customers can see it at all times while vending
• If your cart has a supervisory license permit, ensure a supervisory license holder is onsite at all times the cart is in operation

Display the Mobile Food Vendor Permit and Decal

• Check that the unit has a current valid permit readily available for inspection
• Make sure the unit has a current valid decal attached to the outside of the unit where customers can see it

You must have a General Vendor license from the NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) to sell certain types of goods in a public space, such as an NYC sidewalk. General Vendors typically sell items like clothing, jewelry, souvenirs, home goods, and toys.

The law limits the number of General Vendor licenses that can be issued by the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) and sets eligibility requirements. Review the licensing application checklist from the DCWP and submit your application online if you meet requirements.

General Vendors must follow strict rules for the time and location they vend as required by law. Before you begin vending, check to make sure you are in compliance with the following rules:

Location

1. Vending on a street that is not restricted
   • DCWP issues General Vendor licenses (White) and two specialized licenses (Yellow and Blue). 
   • The NYC General Vendor Street Restrictions Map highlights the street restrictions for all types of licensed General Vendors.
2. Located 10 feet or more from a crosswalk at an intersection, subway entrance and exit, or driveway
3. Located 5 feet or more from a bus shelter, newsstand, public phone or WiFi kiosk, or disabled access ramp
4. Located 20 feet or more from a building entrance, sidewalk cafe, or stoop line stand
5. Not within a bus stop or taxi stand or on the sidewalk next to a “no standing” zone that is next to a hospital 
6. Not on a median unless the median is a pedestrian mall or plaza (has space for pedestrians to walk)
7. Not vending over any ventilation grill, subway grating, cellar door, transformer vault or manhole
8. Located on a sidewalk that is 12 feet or wider
9. Located 18 inches or less from the curb edge

Display

• Your display (table, cart, stand) must be no more than 8 feet long, 3 feet wide, and 5 feet tall
• Table must be at least 2 feet off of the ground
• Note: you cannot place items for sale directly on the sidewalk or on a blanket, board, or piece of cardboard on the sidewalk
• Note: you can only use the space immediately below your display to store items for sale. 

Location (areas restricted to vendors with a specialized license and First Amendment Vendors)

You must have a Blue specialized license to vend in the area below (including the border streets) in Manhattan:

• East border: 2nd Avenue 
• South border: 30th Street 
• West border: 9th Avenue and Columbus Avenue 
• North border: 65th Street 

You must have a Blue or Yellow specialized license to vend in the area below (including the border streets) in Flushing, Queens:

• East border: eastern side of Union Street
• South border: south side of Sanford Avenue
• West border: west side of College Point Boulevard
• North border: north side of Northern Boulevard

Location (First Amendment Vendors)

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.

Get educational highlights and tips to help understand General Vendor Licensing Law regulations.

• Download educational highlights and tips for General Vendors in additional languages: 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)

Place the Vending Unit Only Where Allowed

• See Where General Vendors Can Vend for an overview of the best practices for determining your vending location.
• Note that you cannot use electricity or, oil or gas-powered equipment, devices or machinery
• You CAN use battery-powered equipment
• You CANNOT use any equipment on a power cord

Wear Your General Vendor License

• Wear the license so your customers can see it at all times while vending

Display

• Your display (e.g., table, cart, stand) is no more than 8 feet long, 3 feet wide, and 5 feet tall
• Your display is at least 2 feet off the ground
• You do not have any items for sale directly on the sidewalk or on a blanket, board, or piece of cardboard on the sidewalk
• You are only using the space immediately below your display to store items for sale — you do not have any items next to your display

Price Posting

• For all items offered for sale, you must show the price, exclusive of tax, as follows:
  • On the individual item by a stamp, tag, or label. OR
  • On a sign that is plainly visible where the item is displayed

First Amendment vendors are 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).

First Amendment vendors do not need a vending-related license in order to operate, and thus there is no waitlist or license application. However, they must hold a NYS Certificate of Authority and follow applicable siting rules laws, including those that restrict the time and placement of General Vendors.

View NYC General Vendor Street Restrictions Map

Street vendors must comply with federal, state, and New York City laws. The NYC Department of Sanitation (DSNY) has been the lead agency on street vendor enforcement since April 2023. Visit here for more information on Street Vending Enforcement. The information below highlights common rules to help reduce the risk of violations.

Street Restriction 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.

Mobile Food Vending Restrictions Map: This interactive map shows where you are allowed to vend food from a cart or truck. It also provides information on specific location restrictions.

Food Vending at Temporary Events

• If you plan to vend food at a street fair, festival, block party, farmers market, or special event in New York City, additional permits or approvals may be required. Vendors will need to hold a Temporary Food Service Establishment Permit and register with the authorized event where they plan to vend. Permits must be associated directly with a City-authorized event. Event permits are typically coordinated through the Street Activity Permit Office (SAPO) and event organizers.
• Learn more and apply for a Temporary Food Service Establishment Permit

Green Cart Vendors

At this time, you can apply to join the Green Cart waiting list for the Bronx, Brooklyn, or Staten Island. When Green Cart permits become available for Queens and Manhattan, the NYC Health Department will make an announcement.

Learn more and apply for a Green Cart Permit

First Amendment / Expressive Matter Vending

First Amendment vendors are 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).

First Amendment vendors do not need a vending-related license in order to operate, and thus there is no waitlist or license application. However, they must hold a NYS Certificate of Authority and follow applicable siting rules laws, including those that restrict the time and placement of General Vendors.

Local Law 54 of 2026 will increase the number of available mobile food vending permits and general vendor licenses.

General Vendors

Local Law 54 of 2026 increases the number of available General Vendor licenses. These licenses will be available after January 15, 2027.

Individuals on the 2016 General Vendor Waiting List will receive priority. The Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) will contact them before January 15, 2027.

For individuals not currently on the General Vendor Waiting List who are interested in applying to join it, DCWP will have more information on the application process in December 2026. Monitor this page for updates.

Mobile Food Vendors

Local Law 54 of 2026 will increase the number of available mobile food vending permits by 11,000. Beginning July 1, 2026, 2,200 new supervisory licenses will be offered each year for 5 years – 200 to U.S. Veterans and People with Disabilities, and 2,000 to individuals currently on the waitlist. A vendor with a supervisory license can apply at any time for a supervisory license permit to operate a cart or truck.

Applications for these new supervisory licenses will be offered to people currently on waiting lists created in 2022. Once these waiting lists have been exhausted, the NYC Health Department will create new waiting lists.

If you already have a mobile food vending license, the NYC Health Department will automatically notify you when the waiting list opens. If you do not have a mobile food vending license, you can sign up to get a notification.