The New York City Council passed a bill Thursday to create thousands of new street vendor licenses in the coming years and dramatically expand the number of vendors able to operate legally across the city.
The measure, which was introduced by Councilmember Pierina Sanchez of the Bronx with majority Council support, would add 2,200 food vendor licenses annually over the next five years, starting on July 1, 2026. The bill would also add 10,500 licenses for general merchandise vendors on Jan. 15, 2027, which city data shows would clear the current waitlist for those sellers.
Vendors and their supporters are hopeful the new licenses will allow more people to operate lawfully on city streets and avoid hefty fines and fees, while also boosting economic activity across neighborhoods…