$10M in FY27 would fund increased enforcement, processing of new licenses, and education for vendors 

(New York, NY) – On May 5, Council Member Pierina Sanchez and a broad coalition of street vendors, immigrant advocates, supermarkets, bodegas, Business Improvement Districts, Chambers of Commerce, and public space advocates released the following joint statement: 

“The street vending system in New York City is broken—and we are all suffering the consequences. Earlier this year, the Council took a historic step forward to reform the vending system, overriding the former mayor’s veto to enact Local Laws 53, 54, and 59 of 2026. This legislative package had a simple premise: by expanding access to licenses alongside education and a fair and effective enforcement scheme—focused on restricted streets and other congested areas—street vendors and brick-and-mortars alike can thrive. But without sufficient funding to implement the law, these reforms will not change conditions on the ground in our neighborhoods.  

Today, we, the herein signed, join together to call for an initial investment of $10M in the Fiscal Year 2027 budget to ensure these reforms receive the City resources they need to succeed—and which the law requires.  

That investment will allow the Department of Sanitation (DSNY) to scale up the Office of Street Vendor Enforcement as vendors become newly licensed, staff the Departments of Health (DOHMH) and Consumer Worker Protection (DCWP) to process new licenses, and build out the newly created Office of Street Vendor Services within the Department of Small Business Services (SBS) to educate vendors on their rights and responsibilities. Furthermore, this down payment is fiscally responsible: the IBO projects a $59 million net revenue impact to the City once the reforms are fully implemented.

As we enter the final stretch of FY27 budget negotiations, we stand united in our call for these urgently needed resources.” 

  • Street Vendor Project
  • Fordham Road Business Improvement District 
  • Times Square Alliance
  • NYC BID Association
  • Bronx Chamber of Commerce
  • Queens Chamber of Commerce
  • Manhattan Chamber of Commerce
  • National Supermarket Association (NSA)
  • NYS Latino Restaurant Bar & Lounge Association (NYS-LRA)
  • NYS Coalition of Hispanic Chambers of Commerce (NYSCHCC)
  • Bodega and Small Business Group (BSBG)
  • United Bodegas of America (UBA)
  • Multicultural Business Coalition (MBC)
  • New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC)
  • Make the Road NY
  • Bronx Street Vendors
  • Our Bronx 
  • Association for Neighborhood and Housing Development (ANHD) 
  • Community Service Society of New York (CSS)
  • Transportation Alternatives
  • Riders Alliance
  • Open Plan