How to Become a Licensed Street Vendor in NYC

Food vendors are a fixture in New York City.

Food from street carts fuels commuters, tourists, school kids and businesspeople alike. Whether they're serving up a hot dog with the works or a Halal meal, street vendors add to New York City's acclaim as a food lover's paradise. Selling food from a pushcart of truck appeals to people who want to start a business with low overhead and relatively modest start-up costs. You need a license to sell food from a cart or truck in New York City, and your cart will be subject to inspection by the city's Department of Health.

Instructions

1. Obtain a sales tax license from the State of New York. You'll need your sales tax number in order to apply for your food vendor license.

2. Complete the Food Protection Course for Mobile Food Vendors from the City of New York. This eight-hour course covers food safety for food carts. The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene administers the course.

3. Complete the Mobile Food Vending License application. If you're going to sell frozen desserts, you'll need a separate license for the frozen dessert machine. You can complete the application for your Frozen Dessert Permit at the same time as your application for the food vending license.

4. Pay your licensing fees and obtain a receipt. Take this receipt to the appropriate window to have your photograph taken for your license. You can't operate your food cart until you obtain the license with your photo I.D.

5. Obtain a Mobile Food Unit Permit for your food cart or truck. The New York City Department of Health issues this license.

Tips & Warnings

• Veterans and widows or widowers of veterans are exempt from the licensing fee.

• The City of New York limits the number of Food Unit Permits it issues. Though you may obtain your vendor's license at any time, you may have to wait for an opening on the Food Unit Permit list before you can sell food from a mobile location in New York City.

References

• New York City Department of Health: New Mobile Food Vendor Licensed Checklist

Resources

• New York State Online: Permit Assistance and Licensing