You need a Mobile Food Vendor (MFV) permit to make and sell food from a cart or truck.

Permit limits

The number of MFV permits is limited by law. There are waiting lists for different permits. You can apply only when the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene contacts you from the list. New lists are made based on how fast the old lists turn over.

Full-term MFV permit requirements

• You must first have a Supervisory License.
• You must be called from the waiting list.
• Only people, not companies, can get a supervisory license.
• This permit does not allow vending at street fairs or special events. For those, you need a Temporary Food Establishment permit.

Renewal

Full-term MFV permits need to be renewed. A renewal form will be mailed to you 90 days before your permit expires.

Permits that do not require a supervisory license

• Restricted Area Permits: These permits let you sell food on private property with the owner's permission. You only need a regular Mobile Food Vending License. There is no waitlist, and you can apply anytime.
• Green Cart Permits: These permits let you sell fruits, vegetables and water. You need a regular Mobile Food Vending License. There is a waitlist, and you can apply when the NYC Health Department contacts you.

• Waitlist contact: You can apply for a two-year, full-term, Mobile Food Vending (MFV) Permit only if the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) contacts you from one of the several categories of waiting lists. If your name is pulled from the list, you will get an application packet with forms and instructions.

• Supervisory license: You need a mobile food vending supervisory license to apply for a new two-year full-term MFV permit. These licenses are only available to those on the current waitlist.

• Sales tax certificate: You must show proof of a Certificate of Authority to Collect Sales Tax. The address on the certificate must match your address or the address of your business. Start this process early because it can take several weeks.

• Insurance proof: You need proof of Workers' Compensation and Disability Insurance. This includes the insurance carrier's name, policy number and expiration date. If you do not have employees, you need Form CE-200 stamped by the Workers' Compensation Board. The certificate must list the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene as the Certificate Holder. Start this process early because it can take several weeks.

• Environmental control board clearance: You need clearance from the New York City Environmental Control Board to show you have no Health Code or New York City Administrative Code violations and no outstanding fines. If you are a corporation, partnership or limited liability company (LLC), the clearance must reflect the business name. You can pay any fines at the NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) Citywide Licensing Center or the Environmental Control Board. The application form for this clearance will be in your permit application packet. Visit the OATH Help Center and Small Business Help Unit for more information.

• Food source: You must get your food from a commissary or other licensed, permitted or regulated establishment. If you want to use a different location, you need approval from the NYC Health Department. The form will be in your application packet.

• Sworn affidavit: You must submit a sworn affidavit stating you do not already have a permit to operate on public space and are not part of a business that does. The form will be in your application packet.

• Evidence of qualification: If you are contacted from the waiting lists for disabled veterans, disabled persons or non-disabled veterans, you need to show evidence of qualification. Information about this requirement will be in the application packet.

• Permit fee waiver for veterans: There is no permit fee if you show proof of honorable discharge from the U.S. Armed Services. This can be a New York State Peddler's Certificate or Form DD-214 from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. This benefit is also available to a surviving spouse or domestic partner of a veteran.

• Frozen dessert permit: If you plan to manufacture or sell frozen desserts, you need a Manufacturing Frozen Dessert Permit. This permit is for the machine, not the cart or truck.

• Power of Attorney: If someone else will file the application for you, you need a Power of Attorney form. The person submitting the application must show photo ID. All affidavits must be notarized before submission. Only the permit holder or applicant can bring the cart or truck for inspection.

• Permit fees:

  • $200.00: Full-term (two-year) permit fee for units where food is prepared or processed on-site
  • $0 on issuance; $438 every two years
  • $75.00: Full-term (two-year) permit fee for units where food is pre-packaged or not prepared on-site
  • $35.00: Seasonal (April 1-October 31) permit fee for units where food is prepared or processed on-site
  • $15.00: Seasonal (April 1-October 31) permit fee for units where food is pre-packaged or not prepared on-site
  • No fee for honorably discharged veterans or their surviving spouses/domestic partners
  • $53.00: Fee for Mobile Food Vendor Food Protection Course. Payment must be separate from the permit application or any violations
  • Payment for Health Code or Administrative Code violations must be separate from the permit application or Food Protection Course

• Accepted payment methods:

  • Personal check (payable to the New York City Department of Health & Mental Hygiene)
  • Certified check (payable to the New York City Department of Health & Mental Hygiene)
  • Government check (payable to the New York City Department of Health & Mental Hygiene)
  • Money order (payable to the New York City Department of Health & Mental Hygiene)
  • Credit and Debit cards

• One week after you submit your application: Call the Bureau of Food Safety and Community Sanitation at 212-676-1600.
• Schedule an appointment: Have your mobile food vending unit inspected.
• Inspection requirement: The New York City Administrative Code requires all mobile food vending units must pass an inspection within six months of the application date.
• Application void: If your unit does not pass inspection within six months, your application will become void.
• Personal appearance: You must appear in person at the inspection. You cannot send someone else.

• Health department guide: This guide helps food vendors avoid breaking rules. It also helps keep customers safe from foodborne illnesses. Download What Mobile Food Vendors Should Know (PDF). For other languages and more help, visit the mobile and temporary food vendors page.
• Vending on restricted streets: All food vendors must follow the rules about where they can sell food. Check the Restrictions to Vending on NYC Streets (PDF).
• Food sourcing: Food vendors must get their food from a licensed place.

• You may only apply if the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene contacts you. Instructions will be given when contacted.

• You may only apply if the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene contacts you. Instructions will be given when contacted.

• You may only apply if the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene contacts you. Instructions will be given when contacted.

• Before your permit expires: You will get instructions on how to renew your permit. These will come in your renewal package. You will get this package 90 days before your permit expires.
• Note: If you applied for a frozen desserts permit, you may have different renewal dates. You will get separate renewal notices.

• Before your permit expires: You will get instructions on how to renew your permit. These will come in your renewal package. You will get this package 90 days before your permit expires.
• Note: If you applied for a frozen desserts permit, you may have different renewal dates. You will get separate renewal notices.

• Before your permit expires: You will get instructions on how to renew your permit. These will come in your renewal package. You will get this package 90 days before your permit expires.
• Note: If you applied for a frozen desserts permit, you may have different renewal dates. You will get separate renewal notices.