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Before you submit your application
Those interested in obtaining a Two-Year, Full-Term, Mobile Food Vending (MFV) Permit may apply for one only when contacted by DOHMH from one of the several categories of waiting lists established for this purpose.
If your name is pulled from a waitlist, you will be mailed a MFV permit application packet with forms and instructions for applying.
All applicants for a new two-year full-term MFV permit must have a mobile food vending supervisory license. Supervisory licenses are only offered to applicants on the current mobile food vending supervisory license waitlist.
Proof of a Certificate of Authority to Collect Sales Tax. The address on the Certificate must match that of the applicant or establishment for which an application is being submitted. It is recommended that you begin the process to apply for an Authority to Collect Sales Tax in advance of applying for a permit because it may take several weeks to obtain the certificate.
Proof of Worker's Compensation and Disability Insurance, including the name of the insurance carrier, the policy number, and the expiration date must be submitted when you apply for a permit and when you renew.
If you are exempt from having this insurance because you do not have any employees, obtain, complete and submit a copy of Form CE-200 stamped by the Worker's Compensation Board with the New York State-assigned Exemption Certificate Number. The certificate must list the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene as the Certificate Holder.
It is recommended that you begin the process to apply for insurance in advance of applying for a permit because it may take several weeks to obtain the coverage.
New York City Environmental Control Board Clearance is required to determine that there are no Health Code or New York City Administrative Code violations issued to the applicant and for which outstanding fines are due. If the applicant is a corporation, partnership, or limited liability company (LLC), the clearance must reflect the corporate, partnership or LLC name. Payment of any outstanding fines may be made in person at the NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) Citywide Licensing Center, located at the address below, or by visiting the Environmental Control Board, located at 66 John Street, 10th floor, New York, New York 10038. The application form for this clearance may will be included in the permit application packet.
The applicant for a full-term, two-year permit will be asked to submit a sworn affidavit indicating that he or she does not already possess a permit to operate on public space and is not part of a business entity which already possesses a permit to operate on public space. The form will be included in your application packet.
There is no permit fee if the applicant presents proof of honorable discharge from the U.S. Armed Services in the form of a New York State Peddler's Certificate or Form DD-214 (discharge document) from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. This benefit is also available to a surviving spouse or domestic partner of a veteran with this proof.
If you plan to manufacture or sell frozen desserts on your truck or cart, you must also apply for a Manufacturing Frozen Dessert Permit. This permit is issued for the frozen desert machine, not for the pushcart or truck.
A Power of Attorney is required if someone other than the business owner will be filing the application. An acceptable version of this form can be found in your application packet.
- The person submitting the application on the applicant's behalf must also show a form of acceptable photo identification
- All required affidavits must be notarized prior to submission
- A representative of the applicant may only submit an application for the Mobile Food Vending Unit Permit.
- The permit holder/permit applicant must bring the cart or truck for its inspection in person; you may not send a representative for the permit inspection.
List of Permit Fees. More info
- $200.00: Full-term (2 year) permit fee (check or money order) for units in which food is prepared or processed on-site.
- $0 on issuance; $438 every two years.
- $75.00*: Full-term (2 year) permit fee (check or money order) for units in which food is pre-packaged or does not involve preparation or processing on-site.
- $35.00: Seasonal (April 1 - October 31) permit fee (check or money order) for units in which food is prepared or processed on-site.
- $15.00: Seasonal (April 1 - October 31) permit fee (check or money order) for units in which food is pre-packaged or does not involve preparation or processing on-site.
- No fee for an honorably discharged veteran of the U.S. Armed Services or the surviving spouse or domestic partner of such veteran, regardless of the type of food sold. (Permit Code H03 or H06)
- $53.00: Fee for Mobile Food Vendor Food Protection Course (certified check, government check or money order only). Payment for the course must be submitted separately from the payment for the permit application or any violations of the Health Code or Administrative Code.
- Payment for Health Code or Administrative Code Violation(s), if any (certified check or money order only). Payment for any violations must be submitted separately from the payment for the permit application or for the Food Protection Course, and made payable to the Environmental Control Board.
List of accepted payment methods. More info
- Personal Check (made payable to the New York City Department of Health & Mental Hygiene)
- Certified Check (made payable to the New York City Department of Health & Mental Hygiene)
- Check (Government Check: (made payable to the New York City Department of Health & Mental Hygiene)
- Money Order (made payable to the New York City Department of Health & Mental Hygiene)
- Credit and Debit cards
Ready to Apply?
Steps to apply online:
Steps to apply by mail:
Steps to apply in person:
You may only apply for this permit if you have been contacted by the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Instructions will be given to you when contacted.