- 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)
Find the 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
Mobile Food Vendors
A mobile food vendor is a person who sells food — or distributes it free of charge — from a mobile food vending unit in any public, private or restricted space. These can include specialized vendors.
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.
The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) issues mobile food vending permits and licenses.
Educational resources for mobile food vendors
- Download educational highlights and tips for Mobile Food Vendors in:
- 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)
Find the 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
Specialized Vendors
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
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.
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.
