Food Cart Vendor License

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If you will sell food from a permitted pushcart or truck year-round you must have a Full-Term Mobile Food Vending License. All license applicants must attend and pass a Mobile Food Vendor Food Protection Course before they are issued a license. The license is required before applying for the permit.

Fee

The license fee is $50. United States veterans are exempt from the fee.

The combined fee for the license renewal and tax clearance is $60. United States veterans are exempt from the license fee but must pay $10 for the tax clearance.

The cost of the course is $53. Applicants apply for the license and register for the class at the same time.

Currently, only in-person applications and registrations are available.

Expiration Date

The license expires every 2 years on staggered dates.

You can download or request a license application. It includes forms and information about requirements.

Online

Visit the Department of Health's permits and licenses page.

By Mail

Call 311 or 212-NEW-YORK (212-639-9675) to request a paper copy.

New applicants can submit an application by mail or in person.

By Mail

DCWP Licensing Center
42 Broadway
New York, NY 10004

In Person

To apply in person, you have to bring your completed application to the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) Licensing Center or the NYC Small Business Support Center. Appointments are required.

  • DCWP Licensing Center
    42 Broadway
    New York, NY 10004
    Mon - Thu: 8 AM - 4 PM; last appointment at 3:30 PM
     
  • NYC Small Business Support Center
    90-27 Sutphin Boulevard, 4th Floor
    Jamaica, NY 11435
    Mon - Thu: 8 AM - 4 PM; last appointment at 3:30 PM

Email or call DCWP to schedule an appointment.

By Email

Email LicensingAppointments@dcwp.nyc.gov.

By Phone

  • Agency: Department of Consumer and Worker Protection
  • Division: Licensing Appointment Line
  • Phone Number: (212) 436-0441
  • Business Hours: Monday - Friday: 8 AM - 4 PM

You can get information on renewing your license online through the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene's website. 

Visit the Department of Health's permits and licenses page.

Licensed mobile food vendors must take an online refresher course in food protection and safe operating practices and pass a final exam every four years to maintain their license. 

The course takes approximately 15 minutes to complete and is free. Registration is required. 

Take the Mobile Food Vending Refresher Course.

You can get the status of your application.

  • Agency: Department of Consumer and Worker Protection
  • Division: Licensing Center
  • Phone Number: (212) 487-4104
  • Business Hours: Monday - Friday: 8 AM - 4 PM

You can get answers to license-specific questions and information about application requirements.

  • Agency: Department of Consumer and Worker Protection
  • Division: Licensing Center
  • Phone Number: (212) 487-4104
  • Business Hours: Monday - Friday: 8 AM - 4 PM

A new local law changes how mobile food vendors can get a new full-term (year-round) mobile food vending permit. To get a new, full-term mobile food vending permit, you will need a new type of license called a supervisory license.

The NYC Health Department has established a waiting list for the supervisory license. It's currently closed to new applicants.

The waiting list for supervisory licenses for veterans and people with disabilities opened on February 22, 2023.

Learn about supervisory licenses, permits, and waiting lists.

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