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Street Vending Enforcement

DSNY is the lead agency on street vendor enforcement. We focus on dirty conditions, safety issues, items being left out overnight, and setups that block public access to sidewalks, curbs, mass transit, and store entrances.

All New Yorkers deserve clean, safe sidewalks and streets. Vendors are responsible for knowing the rules and responsibilities of vending in public spaces. DSNY takes an education-first approach with vendors before issuing summonses, but may take enforcement action for issues that significantly affect cleanliness and quality of life.

Learn more about violations and fines.

Licensing

A mobile food vendor is anyone who sells or gives away food from a cart or truck in any space – public, private, or restricted. A food vendor must have a food vendor license and the cart or truck must have a permit. Mobile food vending licenses and permits are issued by the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH). Learn more about mobile food vending licensing and permits.

A general vendor is anyone who sells or leases goods or services (not including food) in a public place – like a street or sidewalk – that is not a store. General vendor licenses are issued by the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP). Learn more about general vendor licensing.

Specialized vending licenses are for veterans with a service-related disability. Specialized vendors can be either general or mobile food vendors. Learn more about general and specialized vendor licensing.

Opportunities for General Vendor Licenses

Beginning January 15, 2027, NYC law increases the number of General Vendor licenses DCWP can issue to non-veterans from 853 Citywide (White) General Vendor licenses to:

  • 3,478 Citywide (White) General Vendor licenses
  • 7,875 Non-Manhattan (Green) General Vendor licenses

Learn more about general vendor waitlists.

Guidelines for Mobile Food and General Vendors

  • Maintain, post, and present all required documentation. All vendors must hold a valid license, and all carts or trucks must have a valid permit. Proper documentation must be visible to the public and presented at moment of inspection. Mobile food vendors must also have a valid commissary agreement.
  • Do not vend in restricted areas. By law, vending is prohibited on certain streets. Vendors should be familiar with these locations and adhere to location restrictions. Vendors may not leave any items, including unattended carts, on sidewalks or streets overnight.
  • Adhere to placement requirements. Vending may not take place on a sidewalk that is less than twelve feet wide. A vending setup must be located next to the curb, be at least 20 feet away from any building entrance and 10 feet away from all crosswalks, subway entrances, or driveways, and not lean against or touch any surrounding building or structure.
  • Maintain a clean area. Vendors must keep a two-foot area around their vending display clean and free from litter or debris at all times. All supplies and items for sale must be stored within the vending area, cart, or truck, except for waste containers for refuse and recycling.
  • Properly dispose of waste. Vendors may not dump waste of any kind in or around public litter baskets, on sidewalks, in alleys or lots, or into sewers. Mobile food vendors must dispose of all waste, including grease and liquids, at the vendor's commissary at the end of the day. All vendors must provide proof of proper waste disposal subject to DSNY rules.

Mobile Food Vending Streets Map

DOHMH maintains an interactive map that illustrates where mobile food vendors are allowed to vend food from a cart or truck. It also provides information on specific location restrictions. 

Mobile Food Vending Streets Map

General Vendor Street Restrictions Map

DCWP maintains an interactive map highlights the street restrictions for licensed vendors.

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

NYC General Vendor Street Restrictions Map

Violations

Failure to follow guidelines may result in violations, including, but not limited to:

  • Failure to maintain, post, and present proper permits and licenses - Fines start at $25
  • Failure to store all items inside vending cart - Fines start at $25
  • Failure to keep your area clean - Fines start at $75
  • Failure to properly dispose of waste - Fines starting at $200
  • Vending in restricted areas - Fines start at $50
  • Vending without a license - Fines start at $1,000 for mobile food vendors, $250 for general vendors

See the full list of violations for mobile food vendors.

See the full list of violations for general vendors.

Retrieve Confiscated Items

If you have non-perishable items confiscated by DSNY, you may retrieve them after you pay your summons.

If you are collecting your property, contact the Administrative Services Unit on weekdays from 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM by phone or in person:

59 Maiden Lane, 5th Floor
New York, NY 10038
(646) 885-0894

Staff are available to inform you of all actions and documents required to redeem your items.

A $16.50/day storage fee will be charged after your items have been held for 48 hours. Vendors have 90 days to pick up their items after confiscation date. 

Educational Resources for Vendors

Additional educational highlights and tips to help understand mobile food vendor licensing law regulations.:

Additional educational highlights and tips to help understand general vendor licensing law regulations.

Additional educational highlights and tips to help understand regulations to your specific licenses.

NYC Laws and Rules on Vending

Complaints

Make a complaint about a vendor operating on City streets or sidewalks or at a street fair.