The City Council’s Law 47 wipes criminal records but promises tougher sidewalk inspections.
In a major shift for the city’s 20,000‑plus sidewalk sellers, the New York City Council on June 30 approved Law 47, a measure that erases criminal penalties—fines up to $1,000 or even three months behind bars—for operating without a vendor license. So, what does that mean for your favorite tamale cart? Civil tickets can still be issued, and City Hall says enforcement teams will remain active.
City Council ends criminal penalties while boosting sidewalk enforcement across New York
Law 47 forms part of a broader vending reform package meant to foster small businesses “within a regulated, predictable system,” supporters say. Beginning immediately, police and inspectors must swap misdemeanor charges for civil summonses.
Still wondering whether the crackdown is over? Mayor Eric Adams has paired the law with expanded Quality of Life Squad patrols and the “Restoring the Roosevelt” initiative, promising more on‑the‑spot checks of carts and stalls. Before you breathe a sigh of relief, take a look at what actually changes:
| Offense | Old consequences | New consequences under Law 47 |
|---|---|---|
| Selling without license | Misdemeanor, up to $1,000 fine, 90 days jail | Civil citation; fine amount set administratively |
| Repeat violations | Possible arrest record, court appearance | Escalating civil fines, no criminal record |
| Equipment seizure | Possible during arrest | Still permitted during inspections |
Immigrant vendors gain breathing room, but merchants worry about sidewalk competition
More than 95 percent of street sellers are immigrants, and advocates hailed the bill as a safeguard against deportation triggers and lost job prospects. “No one should go to jail just for trying to make a living,” Bronx Council Member Pierina Sánchez argued.
Yet brick‑and‑mortar shop owners in Upper Manhattan, Corona–Jackson Heights and the South Bronx say unlicensed stalls siphon customers and sometimes traffic in counterfeit goods. Who gets priority on crowded sidewalks remains the burning question. Key facts city officials highlighted this week:
- 27,821 vending‑related citations issued since October through Operation Restore Roosevelt
- 94 propane tanks confiscated for safety violations
- 82 percent of 2023 police fines went to unlicensed stands
What unlicensed sellers should know next to avoid costly civil fines in 2025
For vendors, the path forward is still paperwork. The city caps licenses, but officials hint that additional permits could be released later this year—keep an eye on Department of Consumer and Worker Protection notices. In the meantime, sellers should:
- Display any existing permits prominently.
- Remove propane or open‑flame equipment unless properly certified.
- Respond to civil tickets within the deadline to avoid surcharges.
Consequently, Law 47 offers relief from criminal courts, but compliance work isn’t over. Sidewalk entrepreneurs, community groups, and shopkeepers will be watching how vigorously the Adams administration balances opportunity with order in the months ahead.