Immigrant New Yorkers who wish to sell jewelry, toys, clothes or souvenirs in public spaces typically need a General Vendor license. However, obtaining one is not easy. The number of licenses has been capped at 853 for non-veteran applicants, and the waitlist, now closed, is notoriously long.
This July, the NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) started sending out offer letters to people who have been on the 2016 waitlist for nearly a decade.
The good news is that a new city law adds another 10,500 licenses, starting early next year. For new applicants, signup for the 2026 waitlist runs from Nov. 2 until 5 p.m. on Dec. 16, 2026. Here’s what you need to know about selling non-food items on New York’s streets.
Do I need a General Vendor license? What can you sell without one?
You don’t need a license to sell written matter, like books, newspapers, pamphlets or zines, or artwork, like paintings, photos, prints, sculptures, face paint and balloon animals. But you still have to follow the general vending rules, such as where you can set up and how big your display can be.
Vending food needs a Food Vendor license and a separate permit for the food cart. You can read our previous guide here.
I already sell without a license. Can I get priority?
Yes. DCWP gives priority over other new applicants to people on the existing 2016 waitlist and to people who are already vending.
If you are currently selling but not on a waitlist:
When you sign up for the new 2026 waitlist, you can submit proof that you vended between January 29, 2025 and November 2, 2026. Applicants who certify will be given priority numbers ahead of other new applicants.
Keep proof ready in case DCWP asks for it. Proof can include:
- Date-stamped photos of you vending
- Past summonses for vending
- Receipts for wholesale purchases of merchandise
- Letters from community leaders or nonprofits stating that you are known to vend
- A Certificate of Authority to collect sales tax that you used for vending
- State tax filings for your vending sales
If you can’t provide proof when asked, DCWP can deny your application.
You can only hold one General Vendor license, either Citywide (White) or Non-Manhattan (Green). You cannot transfer your waitlist position to someone else, or take someone else’s.
Who can join the 2026 waitlist?
Starting January 15, 2027, up to 3,478 Citywide General Vendor licenses (White) and 7,875 Non-Manhattan General Vendor licenses (Green), including existing licenses, will be available to non-veteran applicants. There is still no limit on the number of licenses issued to veterans or their surviving spouses or domestic partners.
How to sign up if you are on the 2016 waitlist
DCWP started sending offer letters to eligible applicants this summer. If you received an offer, you must apply by October 29, 2026. Otherwise, you will lose your priority number. Read the General Vendor License Application Checklist and apply online here.
If you did not receive an offer by August 15, 2026, you can email your name and 2016 General Vendor Waitlist priority number to HIC-GVUnit@dcwp.nyc.gov, or call 311 and ask to speak with a DCWP representative about the General Vendor license.
If you receive a Non-Manhattan license, you will automatically be assigned a new priority number and placed on the waitlist for a Citywide license.
How to sign up if you’re not on the 2016 waitlist
DCWP will be accepting applications for the 2026 General Vendor Waitlists from November 2 to 5:00 p.m. on December 16, 2026. You can apply online or by mail, and in limited cases in person. You can sign up for either White or Green waitlists, or both in one application.
Please monitor this page during the application period for more updates.
To be considered, you must submit a completed waitlist application and a copy of your photo ID during the waitlist application period. If you are submitting by mail, it must be postmarked by December 16, 2026.
There is no age requirement to join the waitlist —but you must be at least 18 years old when DCWP sends you an offer letter to apply for a license.
You cannot join either waitlist if you have two or more convictions for possessing or selling stolen property or trademark counterfeiting within two years of your application date.
When do licenses become available?
On January 15, 2027, the licenses will become available to people from the 2016 waitlist whose applications are approved.
People who joined the 2026 waitlist will get it at a later date. Their offers depend on how many licenses are left after the 2016 list has been served.
When will people hear back?
DCWP plans to mail applicants their priority number(s) in February 2027. You may also look up your waitlist priority number online at nyc.gov/BusinessToolbox in February 2027.
What should I do if I get an offer letter?
You can apply for the license online, or in person by appointment.
- Application form: Complete the Basic Individual License Application form
- Deadline: Submit your license application, documents and fees within 90 days of the date DCWP sends the offer letter. If you miss it, you lose your place on the waitlist.
- Documents: a copy of the offer letter, a color passport-size photo, your Certificate of Authority, the General Vendor Questionnaire, proof of home address, and the Non-NYC Resident form if you live outside the city.
- Fee: $50 to $250, depending on when you apply and the duration of your license. Licenses last up to two years and expire Sept. 30 of odd-numbered years.
- Keep your address updated: Tell DCWP within 10 business days if your contact information changes, or you could miss your offer letter.
For more details about license applications, visit this page.
If you have questions, you can contact DCWP:
- Email: onlineappsdocs@dcwp.nyc.gov
- Phone: (212) 487-4075, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
NYC Small Business Services (SBS) can also help. Call the SBS hotline at 888-SBS-4NYC (888-727-4692) and ask for “Street Vendor Services.” You can also call 311 and say “General Vendor License.”
How to get a NYS sales tax ID (Certificate of Authority)
Anyone who sells taxable goods or services in New York must have a sales tax ID, and must apply at least 20 days before they start operating their business.
You need this for your license application after you get an offer letter from DCWP. The Certificate of Authority should have your name on it. You don’t need one to sign up for the 2026 waitlist.
You will need a NY.gov Business account to access the application form. Click here to see the document checklist.
You can apply online through New York Business Express. The typical processing time is about five days, but it can take four to six weeks to receive your Certificate of Authority from the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance.
