An estimated 20,000 street vendors operate in every borough of the City, but only 6,880 food vendors and fewer than 1,000 general vendors are licensed. The City Council increased the cap for street vendor licenses five years ago, but only granted around 130 to new businesses over the course of 2025. Critics of the reform package and licensed vendors feared the expansion would lead to overcrowding, especially in already heavily foot-trafficked areas, potentially impacting their businesses. “The passage of the Street Vendor Reform Package is a win for all New Yorkers. 431-B’s sponsor, Bronx Council Member Pierina Ana Sanchez, who stated “implementation won’t be easy” — street vendors and their advocates celebrated the final passage as a “historic vote” for the city.