Green Cart Permit

The Health Department will contact you soon after submission of your Green Cart waiting list application to confirm placement on the waiting list. Everyone who meets the requirements will be placed on the list. Do not submit another application using the same individual or license number. Doing so will delay processing.

Once called from the waiting list, you will receive a paper permit application by mail.

You will have 6 months to submit your completed Green Cart application form

Note: Each applicant may only submit one waiting list application. Do not submit multiple applications using the same individual/license number. Doing so will delay processing.

Prepare to apply for a permit by obtaining the following: 

Clearance Letter from Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH) that you do not owe fines.

You must submit a zero balance Invoice Request Response form with your permit application. This is also known as a Clearance Letter. It may take up to four weeks to obtain this letter from OATH.

To request the letter, email your completed OATH Food Vendor Invoice Search Request Form to OATH at vendorinquiry@oath.nyc.gov.

You will receive an Invoice Request Response form returned to you. If you receive one with a list of outstanding fines that must be paid in full, you must pay and then get an updated Invoice Request Response form which shows you have a zero balance.

You can also reach the OATH customer service unit at 1-844-OATH-NYC (1-844-628-4692).

New York State Certificate of Sales Tax Authority or Sales Tax

You will need to submit this certificate with your permit application and enter the Certificate ID number on the permit application form.

If you don’t have one, you can get a new Sales Tax Certificate at www.businessexpress.ny.gov or request a replacement card by calling (518) 485-2889.

The certificate must have been issued within 90 days of when you applied for a Green Car permit.

Workers’ Compensation and Disability Insurance Coverage or Exemption Registration (Form CE-200)

You must get this insurance if you will have employees. If anyone else will work on your Green Cart, whether you will be there or not, those workers are your employees.

You will need to provide proof of insurance or a current exemption document and list them on the new permit application form and whenever you renew your permit.

Submit both proofs of insurance coverage effective when the business begins operation. Include the insurer’s name, policy number, and expiration date.

List the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene as the certificate holder (not the policy holder).

If you will operate your cart or truck yourself and no one else will work on the vending unit, then you will not have employees. You can then submit a Certificate of Attestation of Exemption (Form CE-200) registered with the NYS Workers’ Compensation Board showing the applicant’s registration number and the date registered. For more information and to get this form online, visit www.businessexpress.ny.gov.

Commissary or Alternative Storage Facility

You must store and clean your cart or truck at a permitted commissary or alternative facility approved by the Health Department.

You can find a complete list of commissaries at .

Learn about alternative facilities and how to obtain approval [here]

You must submit a complete commissary agreement form or application to service at an alternative facility at your pre-permit inspection.