Mobile Food Vendors
Permit Information
- Under a new Local Law enacted this year, the NYC Health Department will issue an additional 445 mobile food vending permits each year for 10 years beginning in July 2022. People who are already on a mobile food vending waiting list and have held a mobile food vending license since March 1, 2017 will be eligible first.
- See guidelines for obtaining a Mobile Food Vending Permit
- NYC Green Carts are mobile food vendors that offer fresh fruits and vegetables in certain parts of NYC. Learn how to apply for a license and what resources are available for green cart vendors.
- If you want to operate or work on a mobile food cart in NYC, you must take the Food Protection Course for Mobile Vendors and obtain a Mobile Food Vending License.
- Apply for a Mobile Food Vending license
- Renew a Mobile Food Vending license
- Apply for a Mobile Food Vending Seasonal permit (limited number of permits available)
- Apply for a Restricted Area Mobile Food Vending Permit (unlimited number of permits available)
- Renew a Mobile Food Vending permit
- See which permits and/or licenses you will need and how to apply
- Read the NYC Business Solutions Guide to Street Vending (PDF)
- Permit holders and vendors must keep their mailing address current with the NYC Health Department. Updates can be made by going online or going in person to the Citywide Licensing Center, 42 Broadway, 5th floor. Open Monday- Friday, 9-5.
Whether you operate a food cart year-round or work seasonally in an ice cream truck the Health Department wants to help you operate your food vending unit safely and legally.
Letter Grading for Mobile Food Vending
The NYC Health Department will begin assigning mobile food vending units letter grades based on the total violation points found during sanitary inspections. Before a unit can receive a grade it will need a new permit decal and a location-sharing device, which will be affixed to the unit at its next pre-permit inspection. Once assigned a letter grade, each food truck and cart will have its letter grade posted on the unit's permit decal. For more information, operators should read Letter Grading for Mobile Food Vending Units: What Vendors Need to Know (PDF) Other Languages: العربية | বাংলা | Español.
Tools and Additional Updated Guidance
- Fine Waivers for Mobile Food Vendors (PDF): The Health Department is waiving some fines that are imposed against mobile food vendors. Permit holders must sign this document and return it to the Health Department if they want to accept a waiver of these fines.
- Self-Inspection Worksheet for Mobile Food Vending Units (PDF)
- Chapter 6 of Title 24 of the Rules of the City of New York: Food Units (PDF)
- Mobile Food Vending Inspection Scoring Parameters: A Guide to Conditions (PDF)
- Mobile Food Vending Unit Penalty Schedule for Scored Violations (PDF)
- Mobile Food Vending Unit Penalty Schedule for Unscored Violations (PDF)
- Mobile Food Vending Unit Penalty Schedule for Administrative Code and Multiple Offense Schedule (PDF)
Additional Operating Guidance
- What Mobile Food Vendors Should Know (PDF, for information about Letter Grading, see above).
Other languages: Español | 中文 | العربية | Русский | ελληνικά | اردو | বাংলা | हिन्दी | فارسى | Türk - Mobile food vending is not allowed in these locations (PDF)
Other Languages: ελληνικά | বাংলা | العربية | فارسى | हिन्दी | اردو | Español | 中文 | Русский - Most businesses that operate or generate revenue on NYC parkland are considered concessions and must obtain a permit or license from NYC Parks. Join their electronic mailing list to receive notifications by completing this online form.
Food Safety Video
Mobile Food Vending: Hot and Cold Food
If you serve food from a mobile cart or truck, you must store and prepare food according to food safety guidelines. Learn what your business needs to know know about safely operating a mobile vending unit.