Green Cart Permit
New York City started the Green Cart Permit program. It helps people get fresh fruits and vegetables.
With a Green Cart permit, you can sell:
- Whole, raw fruits and vegetables
- Plain nuts and water
- Pre-packaged sliced or cut fruits and vegetables
You cannot cut, slice, peel or process fruits or vegetables on the cart.
Permit limits
The number of Green Cart permits is limited:
- 350 for the Bronx and Brooklyn
- 150 for Manhattan
- 100 for Queens
- 50 for Staten Island
Waiting list
You must be on a waiting list before you apply for a Green Cart permit. The waiting lists for Manhattan and Queens are closed. The waiting lists for the Bronx, Brooklyn and Staten Island are open.
You can join a waiting list by:
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Submitting the waitlist application online
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Calling 311 to have the form mailed to you
You can only submit one waiting list application.
Application process
The NYC Health Department will send you a permit application packet when your name is reached on the waiting list. You will have 60 days to return the completed application and materials.
If you are already on a waiting list, you can check your position here.
For updated information on mobile food vending permits, visit www.nyc.gov/health/mobilefood.
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Mobile Food Vending License: You need a Mobile Food Vending License to apply for a Green Cart permit. Learn more about the Mobile Food Vending License.
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Permit fees:
- It is free to apply for the waiting list.
- The fee for a Full-Term (2-year) Green Cart Permit is $75.
- There are no fees for veterans with a New York State Peddler's Certificate. This also applies to the spouse or partner of a veteran with this certificate.
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Accepted payment methods:
- Personal check (made payable to the NYC DOHMH) - by mail or in person
- Certified check (made payable to the NYC DOHMH) - by mail or in person
- Money order (made payable to the NYC DOHMH) - by mail or in person
- American Express - in person only
- Discover - in person only
- Mastercard - in person only
- Visa - in person only
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Priority groups: Local law gives priority to US veterans and people with a disability when offering green cart permits. Priority is given in this order:
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US veteran with a disability
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Person with a disability
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US veteran
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For detailed requirements for each priority, please visit the NYC Health Department website.
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- Health Department contact: The Health Department will contact you soon after you submit your Green Cart waiting list application. They will confirm your placement on the waiting list. Everyone who meets the requirements will be placed on the list. Do not submit another application using the same individual or license number. Doing so will delay processing.
- Paper permit application: Once called from the waiting list, you will receive a paper permit application by mail.
- Submission deadline: You will have six months to submit your completed Green Cart application form.
- Note: Each applicant may only submit one waiting list application. Do not submit multiple applications using the same individual/license number. Doing so will delay processing.
Prepare to apply for a permit
Clearance Letter from Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH)
- Zero Balance Invoice Request Response Form: You must submit a zero balance Invoice Request Response form with your permit application. This is also known as a Clearance Letter. It may take up to four weeks to get this letter from OATH.
- Requesting the letter: To request the letter, email your completed OATH Food Vendor Invoice Search Request Form to OATH at vendorinquiry@oath.nyc.gov.
- Receiving the form: You will receive an Invoice Request Response form. If you receive one with a list of outstanding fines, you must pay them in full. Then, get an updated Invoice Request Response form showing you have a zero balance.
- Customer service: You can also reach the OATH customer service unit at 1-844-OATH-NYC (1-844-628-4692).
New York State Certificate of Sales Tax Authority or Sales Tax
- Certificate submission: You will need to submit this certificate with your permit application and enter the Certificate ID number on the permit application form.
- Obtaining the Certificate: If you don't have one, you can get a new Sales Tax Certificate at www.businessexpress.ny.gov or request a replacement card by calling 518-485-2889.
- Certificate issuance: The certificate must have been issued within 90 days of when you applied for a Green Cart permit.
- Application for Registration as a Sales Tax Vendor (Certificate of Authority)
Workers' Compensation and Disability Insurance Coverage or Exemption Registration (Form CE-200)
- Insurance requirement: You must get this insurance if you will have employees. If anyone else will work on your Green Cart, whether you will be there or not, those workers are your employees.
- Proof of insurance: You will need to provide proof of insurance or a current exemption document and list them on the new permit application form and whenever you renew your permit.
- Insurance coverage: Submit both proofs of insurance coverage effective when the business begins operation. Include the insurer's name, policy number and expiration date.
- Certificate holder: List the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene as the certificate holder (not the policy holder).
- Exemption: If you will operate your cart or truck yourself and no one else will work on the vending unit, then you will not have employees. You can then submit a Certificate of Attestation of Exemption (Form CE-200) registered with the NYS Workers' Compensation Board showing the applicant's registration number and the date registered. For more information and to get this form online, visit www.businessexpress.ny.gov.
- Workers' Compensation Insurance and Disability Benefits Insurance
Commissary or alternative storage facility
- Storage requirement: You must store and clean your cart or truck at a permitted commissary or alternative facility approved by the Health Department.
- Commissary list: You can find a complete list of commissaries at www.nyc.gov/health/mobilefood.
- Commissary Agreement Form: You must submit a complete Commissary Agreement Form or application to service at an alternative facility at your pre-permit inspection. Units that offer uncut fruit and vegetables or non-potentially hazardous unpackaged or prepackaged foods can apply to use an alternative facility to clean and store their unit.
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For more information about Green Carts, visit www.nyc.gov/health/greencarts.
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Permit expiration: Your Green Cart permit expires two years after issuance. Ninety days before it expires, you will get a renewal packet in the mail. The packet will have instructions on how to renew. You can renew in person (by appointment) or by mail. Please renew on time.
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Designated precincts: Green Carts must operate within a designated police precinct. They must also follow mobile food vending rules.
Citywide Green Cart Map (PDF)