General Vendor License

You need a General Vendor License to sell, lease or offer goods or services in a public space that is not a store.

The New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) can only give out 853 General Vendor Licenses to non-veterans. The waiting list for non-veterans is closed. It will not open again until the current list is finished. Only these people can apply for a General Vendor License:

• Someone with a valid waiting list number from DCWP
• An honorably discharged veteran living in New York State
• The surviving spouse or partner of an honorably discharged veteran living in New York State

You do not need a General Vendor license for:

• Selling newspapers, periodicals, books, pamphlets or other written material
• Selling artwork like paintings, photographs, prints and sculptures
• Selling food (food vending needs a license from the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene)
• Selling items at a garage sale on private property

• Complete the Basic Individual License Application.

• Submit proof of eligibility to apply for a license:
  Acceptable proofs include:

  • An original letter from the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) indicating eligibility
  • Proof of honorable discharge from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (such as an original statement of service or DD Form 214)
  • Other official records confirming your status as a discharged veteran with a qualifying condition or a discharged LGBT veteran
  • Proof of marriage or domestic partnership (such as a marriage certificate or Certificate of Domestic Partnership), an original death certificate, and proof of honorable discharge if you are a surviving spouse or domestic partner of a veteran

• Submit a current color passport-size photograph:
  You can be photographed at the DCWP Licensing Center at no cost or upload your photo online.

• Provide your New York State Sales Tax Identification Number or Certificate of Authority Application Confirmation Number.

• Complete the General Vendor Questionnaire.

• Complete the General Vendor Residence Form.

• Submit proof of home address
  Acceptable proofs include:

  • A utility bill dated within the last 90 days (telephone, gas, electric, cable or water)
  • A current lease or deed
  • A current rent or mortgage bill
  • A driver's license
  • If you live at another person's address, a letter signed by the leaseholder indicating that you live at the address and one proof of home address with the leaseholder's name

• Submit proof of service-related disability if you want to vend on a restricted street, as described in §2-314 of Title 6 of the Rules of the City of New York:
  You need an original letter from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs confirming the service-related disability and a completed Specialized Vending License/Midtown Core Waiting List Application.

• Complete the General Vendor Non-NYC Resident Form if you are not a New York City resident.

• Pay the required fees:

  • $200: License Fee for applications from October 1 to March 30. No fee for honorably discharged veterans or their surviving spouses/domestic partners residing in New York State.
  • $100: License Fee for applications from March 31 to September 30. No fee for honorably discharged veterans or their surviving spouses/domestic partners residing in New York State.
  • 2.49 percent of credit card payment amount: nonrefundable convenience fee for paying with a credit card.

• Accepted payment methods:

  • Check (payable to NYC DCWP, accepted only for in-person application submissions)
  • Money order (payable to NYC DCWP, accepted only for in-person application submissions)
  • Credit card including Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover Card

Two weeks after you send in your application, you will get a letter telling you whether your license is approved, needs more information or is denied.

• Approved: If approved, you will get a letter from the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP). You will need to pick up your license at the Licensing Center.
• More information needed: If more information is needed, DCWP will send you a letter telling you what you need to send. You must send the information within 10 days. If you do not, your application will be denied.
• Denied: If denied, DCWP will send you a letter explaining why and telling you how to reapply.

• Licenses last for one year. They expire on September 30 each year.
• If your information changes: Tell the NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP). Call 311 or visit the DCWP Licensing Center. DCWP suggests calling 311 first to check if you need to visit.
• Follow all New York City laws and rules: You can find them on the Public Access Portal.

Before your license expires: DCWP will send you a renewal application and instructions. If you want to keep working, send your renewal application at least 15 days before your license expires.

• Before your license expires: DCWP will send you a renewal application and instructions. If you want to keep working, send your renewal application, required documents and fees at least 15 days before your license expires.
• You can make an appointment: File in person at the DCWP Licensing Center or NYC Small Business Support Center. Learn how to schedule an appointment.

NYC DCWP
Licensing Center
42 Broadway, Lobby
New York, NY 10004
Email: onlineappsdocs@dcwp.nyc.gov