General Vendor License
A General Vendor license is required for anyone that will sell, lease, or offer to sell or lease goods or services in a public space that is not a store.
Please note: The maximum number of General Vendor Licenses that the New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) issues to non-veterans is limited by law to 853. DCWP’s waiting list for non-veteran applicants is currently closed. The waiting list will not re-open for further registration until DCWP has run through the current list of non-veteran applicants. Only the following individuals may submit an application for a General Vendor License:
- an individual with a valid waiting list number issued by DCWP
- an honorably discharged veteran residing in New York State
- the surviving spouse or domestic partner of an honorably discharged veteran residing in New York State
A General Vendor license is not required for the following activities:
- selling newspapers, periodicals, books, pamphlets or other written material
- selling artwork including paintings, photographs, prints and sculptures
- selling food. Please note that food vending requires 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.
- An original letter issued by DCWP indicating that the applicant is eligible to submit a General Vendor License Application
- A proof of honorable discharge issued by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (such as an original statement of service OR original or member 4 copy of the DD Form 214, Discharge Papers, or Separation Documents) - Other official or government records confirming your status as a discharged veteran with a qualifying condition or a discharged LGBT veteran as stated above
- A proof of marriage or domestic partnership (such as an original marriage certificate or Certificate of Domestic Partnership, joint lease or mortgage documents), an original death certificate, and a proof of honorable discharge (per above) if the applicant is a surviving spouse or domestic partner of a veteran.
The business must provide their New York State Sales Tax Identification Number or Certificate of Authority Application Confirmation Number on the Basic License Application .
Applicants must complete the General Vendor Questionnaire.
Applicants must complete the General Vendor Residence Form.
If the applicant is a veteran with a service-related disability and would like to vend on a restricted street as described in §2-314 of Title 6 of the Rules of the City of New York, applicant must submit an original letter with a signature from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs confirming the service-related disability and a completed Specialized Vending License/Midtown Core Waiting List Application.
Specialized Vending License and Midtown Core Waiting List Application
If the applicant is not a New York City resident, applicant must complete a General Vendor Non-NYC Resident Form.
List of Permit Fees.
- $200: License Fee for applicants who file for a new General Vendor License from October 1 to March 30. Please note that there is no license fee for honorably discharged veterans or the surviving spouse or domestic partner of an honorably discharged veteran residing in New York State.
- $100: License Fee for applicants who file for a new General Vendor License from March 31 to September 30. Please note that there is no license fee for honorably discharged veterans or the surviving spouse or domestic partner of an honorably discharged veteran residing in New York State.
- 2.49% of credit card payment amount: Non-Refundable Convenience Fee for paying with a credit card.
List of accepted payment methods.
- Check (Payable to NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection, accepted only for in person application submissions.)
- Money Order (Payable to NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection, accepted only for in person application submissions.)
- Credit card including Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover Card.
- If the application is approved, DCWP will issue the applicant a letter for applicant to pick up the license document at the Licensing Center.
- If the application requires additional information, DCWP will notify the applicant by mail with instructions on how to submit this information. If the applicant does not submit the requested materials to DCWP within 10 days of receiving this notification letter, the application will be denied.
- If the application is denied, DCWP will provide an explanation for the denial and information about the reapplication process.
