If you want to prepare and serve food from a cart or truck, you need a Mobile Food Vendor (MFV) permit. This permit lets you sell food from April 1 to October 31 each year.

Permit limits:

• The law limits the number of these permits.
• There is a waiting list for seasonal permits.
• You can apply for a permit only when your name comes up on the list.
• The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) will contact you when it's your turn.

You can check your place on the waiting list.

• The NYC Health Department will call you from the waiting list.

• They will mail you a permit application packet.

• The packet will include:

  • Instructions to apply for a permit
  • Forms to apply for a permit
  • Deadlines for submission

• Seasonal permits: You can sell food on city streets from April 1 to October 31 each year.
• Annual renewal: You must renew your permit and get your unit inspected each year.
• Inspection presence: You need to be there when your unit is inspected.
• Renewal notice: You will get a renewal packet in the mail in January each year.
• Renewal deadline: You have until October 31 to renew your permit for the current year.
• Timely submission: Send your renewal papers and fee on time to keep operating legally.