The December law mandates nearly 17,000 permits by 2031, plus about 1,300 for veterans and disabled vendors, ending a 1979 cap that left only 6,880 licences available.
The change targets a black market in permits costing vendors tens of thousands of dollars, while City Hall also plans a vendor assistance division and fewer compliance tickets.
Vendors say inflation, weaker tourism, work-from-home patterns and Manhattan congestion tolls still squeeze earnings, casting doubt on whether permit reform alone can significantly lower food prices.
Can thousands of new permits save NYC's street vendors from the economic squeeze of remote work?
With new tolls and soaring costs, will NYC's street vendor reforms be enough for them to survive?