Street Vendor Complaint

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You can report issues with vendors that sell food or merchandise on City streets or sidewalks. You can also report vendors operating in a prohibited area, including the Brooklyn Bridge or any other city-owned bridge.

You can report street vendors that are selling counterfeit items.

Call 311 or 212-NEW-YORK (212-639-9675) for help.

You can report a vendor operating in a restricted area.

Your complaint should include:

  • The vendor's exact location
  • Date and time of the incident
  • The vendor's Consumer and Worker Protection license number or Health license number (if a food vendor), if possible

You can report a vendor without a City license or permit.

Your complaint should include:

  • The vendor's exact location
  • Date and time of the incident

As of August 30, 2024, Temporary Street Fair Vendors do not need a temporary vendor permit. Sponsors of street fairs must still follow the requirements of the Mayor's Office of Citywide Event Coordination and Management Street Activity Permit Office (SAPO).

You can report unsafe food and unsanitary conditions in food carts, food stands, or food trucks operating on City streets or sidewalks. 

Unsafe Food Practices

You can make a complaint about a broad range of food safety issues including:

  • Bare hand contact with ready-to-eat foods
  • Spoiled or contaminated food
  • Roaches, mice, or rats
  • Unsanitary conditions
  • Sick vendor

Your complaint should include:

  • The vendor's exact location
  • Date and time of the incident
  • Health license number (appears on the cart, stand, or truck's decal)

To report that someone got sick from eating food, go to the Food Poisoning page.

Improper Trash Storage

You can report a food vendor that isn't storing trash properly.

The Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) does not accept reports of rude employees. Report this type of complaint to the business.

For reports of discrimination, go to the Discrimination page.

You can also report:

  • goods damaged or defective
  • license or complaint sign not displayed
  • price gouging
  • refund or return policy not posted
  • refund, return, or exchange refused
  • scale inaccurate or broken
  • scale inspection seal missing or expired
  • unlicensed

The New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) can help you with complaints about businesses in New York City. For complaints about businesses elsewhere, contact the local consumer affairs office or the State Attorney General.

Online

Learn how to file a complaint about a business outside of NYC.

By Phone

  • Agency: Nassau County Consumer Affairs
  • Phone Number: (516) 571-2600
  • Business Hours: Monday - Friday: 9 AM - 5 PM

  • Agency: Suffolk County Consumer Affairs
  • Phone Number: (631) 853-4600
  • Business Hours: Monday - Friday: 9 AM - 5 PM

  • Agency: Westchester County Department of Consumer Protection
  • Phone Number: (914) 995-2155
  • Business Hours: Monday - Friday: 9 AM - 5 PM

  • Agency: New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs
  • Phone Number: (973) 504-6200
  • Business Hours: Monday - Friday: 9 AM - 5 PM

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