DCWP - General Vendor License Application Checklist

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General Vendor


General Vendor License Application Checklist

Important Note about Eligibility

You can apply for a General Vendor license if:

You are a veteran or surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner of a veteran. See Requirements.

DCWP contacts you with a waiting list number offer letter.
The number of licenses issued to non-veterans is limited by law to 853. DCWP’s waiting list for non-veteran applicants is currently closed. The waiting list will not reopen for further registration until DCWP has run through the current pool of non-veteran applicants.

Who Must Have a General Vendor License?

You must have a General Vendor license to sell, lease, or offer to sell or lease goods or services in a public place that is not a store.

You do NOT need a General Vendor license to sell:

Newspapers, periodicals, books, pamphlets, or other written matter.

Artwork, including paintings, photographs, prints, and sculptures.

Food and/or drinks. Note: Food vending requires a license from the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Call 311 or visit nyc.gov/health for information about food cart vendor licenses and permits.

Items at a garage sale on private property.

This description is only a general explanation of which individuals need to have a General Vendor license.

Quick List of Requirements to Apply for a General Vendor License

See Requirements section for detailed descriptions. Make sure you provide all requirements; otherwise, your application is incomplete. DCWP can only consider complete applications for license issuance.

Basic Individual License Application

Proof of Eligibility to Apply for a General Vendor License

Current Color Passport-size Photograph of License Applicant

Certificate of Authority

General Vendor Questionnaire

Proof of Home Address

Proof of Service-Related Disability (if applicable)

General Vendor Non-NYC Resident Form (if applicable)

Proof of Outstanding Fine Clearance (if applicable)

License Fee (if applicable)

Submitting your application does not mean your license is automatically approved.

Requirements

DCWP will deny your application if you do not submit these required documents and information:

Basic Individual License Application
Online submission: After reviewing the requirements, please click the Apply Online link at the bottom of the page to submit your application.
In-person submission: Download the Basic Individual License Application Form.

Proof of Eligibility to Apply for a General Vendor License
DCWP accepts applications for a General Vendor license from the following individuals only:

Individuals who received a letter from DCWP indicating that you are eligible to submit an application for a General Vendor license. OR

Honorably discharged veterans*. OR

Veterans*† who received a discharge other than bad conduct or dishonorable who submit proof, in a form approved by the New York State Division of Veterans’ Services, of a qualifying condition, including post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, or military sexual trauma. OR

LGBT veterans*† who received a discharge other than bad conduct or dishonorable who submit proof, in a form approved by the New York State Division of Veterans’ Services, that discharge was due to their sexual orientation or gender identity or expression or due to statements, conduct, or acts related to their sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression that were prohibited by the military or naval service at the time of discharge. OR

The surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner* of an honorably discharged veteran, a discharged veteran with a qualifying condition, or a discharged LGBT veteran, as defined above.
*Must reside in New York State.
†Visit veterans.ny.gov for more information for veterans with qualifying conditions and LGBT veterans.

Please submit ONE of the following documents as proof of your eligibility to apply for a General Vendor license:

An original letter from DCWP indicating that you are eligible to submit an application for a General Vendor license. OR

Proof of discharge from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), such as:

Original statement of service OR

Original DD Form 214, Discharge Papers, or Separation Documents OR

Member 4 copy of the DD Form 214, Discharge Papers, or Separation Documents OR

Other official or government records confirming your status as a discharged veteran with a qualifying condition or a discharged LGBT veteran as stated above
Contact information for the New York Regional Office:
245 West Houston Street
New York, NY 10014
Telephone: (800) 827-1000
Website: www.archives.gov/veterans

If you are the surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner of a veteran, provide ALL of the following documents:

Proof of marriage or domestic partnership (e.g., original marriage certificate, original certificate of domestic partnership, joint lease or mortgage documents). Please note that proof is subject to DCWP’s review and approval. AND

Original death certificate AND

ONE proof of discharge (See above.)

Current Color Passport-size Photograph of License Applicant
In Person: DCWP will photograph license applicants at no cost in the DCWP Licensing Center or NYC Small Business Support Center. Applicants can also submit a current color passport-size photograph.

Online: License applicants can upload an image file of digital passport photo quality. A digital camera with a resolution of 1 mega-pixel is adequate.

Certificate of Authority.
You must submit a copy of your New York State Department of Taxation and Finance Certificate of Authority showing your Sales Tax Identification Number. Note: The Certificate of Authority should have your name on it.
To apply for a Certificate of Authority, visit the New York State License Center at aca.licensecenter.ny.gov. You will need a NY.gov ID to access the application form. To request a paper application, call (518) 485-2889. Allow four to six weeks after applying to the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance to receive your Certificate of Authority.

General Vendor Questionnaire (download)

Proof of Home Address
Submit a copy of ONE of the following documents as proof of home address:

Utility bill, dated within the last 90 days (e.g., telephone, gas, electric, cable, or water) OR

Current lease or deed OR

Current rent or mortgage bill OR

Driver’s license

If you live at another person’s address, provide:

Letter signed by the leaseholder indicating that you live at the address AND

ONE proof of home address (per above) with the leaseholder’s name

Note: If you are applying as a veteran, you must be a New York State resident.

Proof of Outstanding Fine Clearance (if applicable)
If you are a New York State resident and an honorably discharged veteran who previously held a General Vendor license that expired more than two years ago, submit a:

NYC Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH)1 General Vendor Invoice

1Formerly known as NYC Environmental Control Board (ECB)

If you are a New York State resident and an honorably discharged veteran who previously held a General Vendor license that expired less than two years ago, submit a:

Proof of clearance required on your last Renewal License Application (indicated as “Not Cleared” by OATH)

You may obtain an OATH clearance application:

Email HIC-GVUnit@dcwp.nyc.gov OR

Call (212) 487-4075

Schedule an appointment to visit the DCWP Licensing Center at 42 Broadway in lower Manhattan. Please note that penalties or interest may be due before you can obtain clearance.

Proof of Service-Related Disability (if applicable)
If you are a veteran with a service-related disability and would like to apply for the Citywide Specialized vending license (Yellow) and Midtown Core Zone vending license (Blue), you must:

Submit an original letter with a signature from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) confirming your service-related disability.

Submit a completed Specialized Vending License/Midtown Core Waiting List Application.

General Vendor Non-NYC Resident Form (if applicable) (download)
If you are not a New York City resident, you must complete and submit the General Vendor Non-NYC Resident Form.

License Fee
See chart below for license fee for non-veterans.
Note:

Eligible veterans and the surviving spouses or surviving domestic partners of eligible veterans who reside in New York State do not need to pay a license fee.

License Period: 2 years. Expiration Date: September 30, Odd Years.

If You File Your Application Between These Dates:
License Fee Option 1
License Fee Option 2

From October 1 in an odd year to March 31 in an even year
Pay $200 for a license expiring September 30 of the next odd year. (Valid for at most 24 months.)
N/A

From April 1 in an even year to September 30 in an even year
Pay $150 for a license expiring September 30 of the next odd year. (Valid for at most 18 months.)
N/A

From October 1 in an even year to March 31 in an odd year
Pay $100 for a license expiring September 30 of the next or same odd year. (Valid for at most 12 months.)
N/A

From April 1 in an odd year to September 30 in an odd year
Pay $50 for a license expiring September 30 of the same odd year. (Valid for at most 6 months.)
Pay $250 for a license expiring September 30 of the following odd year. (Valid for at most 30 months.)

Pay by:

Check or money order payable to DCWP. (In person)

Credit card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover Card only). You will be charged a nonrefundable Convenience Fee. (In person or online)

Application Filing Process

File Online

Review requirements and gather all materials.

Click the Apply Online button below to login or create an account to start your online license application.

Important: If you need to file another license application, return to the Apply for a DCWP License page to read requirements and proceed to the next online application.

OR

File In Person
Schedule an appointment to file in person at the DCWP Licensing Center or NYC Small Business Support Center

DCWP LICENSING CENTER
42 Broadway, Lobby
New York, NY 10004
By Appointment Only Hours:
Monday-Thursday: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Last appointment: 3:30 p.m.

NYC SMALL BUSINESS SUPPORT CENTER
90-27 Sutphin Blvd, 4th Floor
Jamaica, NY 11435
By Appointment Only Hours:
Monday-Thursday: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Last appointment: 3:30 p.m.

By Email: LicensingAppointments@dcwp.nyc.gov
By Phone*: Call (212) 436-0441. (Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.)
*This number is to schedule an appointment for in-person service only. For general questions, email onlineappsdocs@dcwp.nyc.gov.

Free Interpretation Services are available on-site. To request a disability-related accommodation, visit our Accommodations page.

Additional Resources for General Vendor

For the laws and rules that may affect your business, visit our Laws page.

For educational resources for street vending, visit nyc.gov/vendingenforcement.

For resources to help your business open, operate, and grow, visit nyc.gov/business.

Read Frequently Asked Questions – Specialized Vending Licenses for Mobile Food Vendors.

Get Voter Information
Note: Whether you apply to register to vote or not, it will not affect the assistance DCWP will provide to you.