May 14, 2025
For centuries, the regulation of street vendors in New York City has been a tangled web of outdated laws, bureaucratic hurdles, and inconsistent enforcement. Just when it seems progress might be made, the familiar cycle of proposed fixes and stalled implementation begins anew. However, recent developments offer a glimmer of hope for the city's estimated 23,000 street vendors, the majority of whom operate without legal permits.

A History of Hardship for NYC's Street Vendors

Despite New York's reputation as a global commercial hub, its treatment of street vendors has been far from honorable. These individuals, many of whom are immigrants, face a system that actively hinders their ability to earn a living. Mohamed Attia, managing director of the Street Vendor Project, highlights the dire situation: "Street vendors are doing really bad right now, under the current system that has been existing for the last half a century. They don’t have a legal pathway to access business licensing, which is square one for any small business in the city."

The numbers paint a stark picture. Until recently, the city capped the number of vendor permits at a mere 853 – a figure set in 1979. This artificially low limit has created an impossibly long waiting list and a thriving black market for permits. Consequently, an estimated 75% of the city's mobile food vendors, a staggering 96% of whom are immigrants, operate without the necessary legal authorization, making them vulnerable to enforcement.

A Regulatory Maze and Increased Enforcement

Navigating the legal landscape for street vendors in New York is a daunting task. Multiple agencies, including the Department of Sanitation, the Department of Health, and even the NYPD, play a role in regulation, often with overlapping and conflicting rules. This fragmented approach has led to confusion and inconsistent enforcement.

Alarmingly, NYPD ticketing of street vendors has surged. In 2024 alone, over 9,000 tickets were issued, more than double the number from the previous year. Attia notes that over 2,000 of these were criminal tickets, creating significant legal challenges for vendors simply trying to make ends meet.

Past Attempts and Lingering Challenges

In 2021, the City Council attempted to address this issue by passing a law requiring the issuance of 445 new permits annually for a decade. However, implementation has been inconsistent. Amanda Farías, Chair of the Council’s Committee on Economic Development, explains, "What we’ve learned is that the Health Department is issuing the supervisory application approval, but they’re not mandating that you hand it in back in time to become a licensed vendor...

What we’re seeing year after year is that they’re not meeting the mandatory 445. And so realistically, in the ten-year time period, we’re never going to make it to over 4,000 people."

A New Hope: Centralizing Regulation and Support

Farías is now championing a package of bills aimed at streamlining the licensing process, expanding outreach and

education for vendors, and centralizing regulatory oversight within the Department of Small Business Services. The goal is to create a clear legal framework that allows individuals to vend legally while also providing the necessary support services.

A Centuries-Old Problem

The struggle for New York City's street vendors is not a new one. As far back as 1707, vendors faced opposition from established merchants. Over the centuries, various attempts to regulate and even eliminate street vending have been made, often met with resistance from the vendors themselves.

From Mayor George McClellan's early 20th-century crackdowns to Mayor Fiorello La Guardia's efforts to ban itinerant peddling in the 1930s, the tension between the city's desire for order and the economic needs of street vendors has persisted.

Looking Towards a Fairer Future

Despite the long and challenging history, there is a growing recognition that it is long past time for New York to create a fair and equitable system for its street vendors. The current proposals offer a promising step towards bringing these vital entrepreneurs out of the shadows and allowing them to contribute to the city's vibrant economic landscape without fear of constant harassment and legal jeopardy. By streamlining regulations and providing support, New York can finally address a centuries-old problem and create a more just system for its hardworking street vendors.