Manhattan bans vending on many Midtown streets and near landmarks; restricted streets are listed in NYC Admin Code 20-465 and DCWP rules.
New York County (Manhattan) designates extensive restricted streets where general vending is prohibited, listed in NYC Administrative Code 20-465 and DOHMH/DCWP regulations. These include many Midtown avenues (Fifth, Madison, Park below 60th), streets surrounding the Empire State Building, Rockefeller Center, and the UN, as well as areas around major transit hubs. Vendors generally cannot operate within 20 feet of a building entrance, 10 feet of a crosswalk, or at bus stops. They must leave at least a 12-foot pedestrian clear path in Midtown. Food carts have additional DOHMH siting rules. The Street Vendor Advisory Board, created by Local Law 18 of 2021, reviews and recommends changes to restricted streets. Violations bring fines, cart seizures, and potential license revocation.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
See how New York County's vending zones rules stack up against other locations.
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