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SidewalkSnitch / Regulations / Street Vending / DOT-VND-002
Food Cart — Missing Permit Decal or Letter-Grade Placard
Street Vending · NYC DOHMH · 24 RCNY Ch. 6 (Mobile Food Vending); NYC Health Code Art. 89
Food Cart — Missing Permit Decal or Letter-Grade Placard is enforced by NYC DOHMH under 24 RCNY Ch. 6 (Mobile Food Vending); NYC Health Code Art. 89. Severity default: Medium.
The rule
Every mobile food vending unit must display the Department-issued permit decal and its sanitary-inspection letter grade so both are visible to the public on the cart or vehicle.
What to photograph
- no permit decal or insignia visible on the cart
- missing A/B/C letter-grade placard
- decal present but illegible or covered
How to file a complaint
- Photograph vendor setup, cart, and whether permit decal is visible.
- Note distance from curb, crosswalk, or subway entrance.
- File at 311 under Vendor Enforcement or Mobile Food Vendor.
Official channel: portal.311.nyc.gov or dial 311. Agency: NYC DOHMH.
Penalties & fines
DCWP and DOHMH fines vary by license type; unlicensed vending can result in confiscation and fines over $1,000.
What happens after you file
DCWP and NYPD enforce vending rules. Food vendors also fall under DOHMH grade and permit requirements.
SidewalkSnitch supports photo analysis for vendor complaints. Draft a filing in the app →
Related guides
FAQ
Can I file anonymously?
311 requires contact information for follow-up. Your identity is not shared with the violator. SidewalkSnitch requires phone verification for filings but does not auto-submit to 311.
Does SidewalkSnitch submit this to 311 automatically?
SidewalkSnitch can analyze photos for vendor violations and prepare a ready-to-file draft. Direct 311 submission is not live yet — you file at 311.nyc.gov for a Service Request Number.