New York City may soon see major changes in how street vendors are regulated. The City Council is considering a set of bills that aim to ease restrictions on vendors, many of whom work without permits due to long-standing limitations, according to The New York Times.
The bill to lift the cap on licenses was introduced by Pierina Sanchez, a Bronx Democrat who said she knows about street vendors’ experiences: “I am the daughter and granddaughter of street vendors,” she said at a hearing.
One proposed bill would decriminalize violations by street vendors and food truck operators, replacing criminal charges with fines. Another would remove the cap on vendor permits, which has left thousands unable to legally operate. Although a 2018 law allowed for 445 new licenses to be issued each year, only 382 have been distributed over three years. Just 15 permits have been granted so far in 2025.
There are an estimated 20,000 street vendors in the city. About half are on a waiting list for permits, and many operate informally. In some neighborhoods, the majority of vendors are unlicensed. Advocates say the system makes it nearly impossible for vendors to comply with the rules, even when they want to, the Times reported.
Mayor Eric Adams has pushed back on the idea of lifting the permit cap. He argues that unregulated vending can interfere with pedestrian traffic and small businesses. His administration favors controlled expansion rather than a sweeping increase in licenses.
Despite this, the city’s Independent Budget Office estimates that issuing permits to those on the waiting list could generate up to $59 million. However, officials warn that administrative costs would likely reduce that number. Analysts also note that the actual number of vendors may not grow, since vending decisions often depend more on personal and economic factors than on city policy, the paper said.
Some business leaders have raised concerns about enforcement. They believe easing restrictions would make it harder to manage public spaces and could increase disorder.
Adams defended the permit system when he was asked about it before the hearing, declaring that “we give out vendor licenses appropriately.” He also said that when vendors choke sidewalks, “then it hurts legitimate businesses.”
Advocates for vendors say the current system is overly harsh and confusing. At least seven city agencies can issue violations, including the police and sanitation department. More than 9,300 summonses were issued to vendors in 2024, double the total from the previous year. Minor missteps, such as standing too close to a crosswalk or carrying a license in a bag, can result in costly penalties.
