N.Y.C. Admin. Code § L.L. 1988/040: L.L. 1988/040

Enactment date: 6/28/1988

Int. No. 891-A

By the Vice Chairman (Council Member Vallone); also Council Members Berman, Crispino, Foster, Harrison, Greitzer, Spigner, Dear, Eisland and Wooten

A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York in relation to unlicensed general vendors

Be it enacted by the Council as follows:

Section one. Legislative declaration of intent. The Council hereby finds and declares that the public health, safety and welfare are threatened by the unfettered use of city streets for commercial activity by unlicensed, and therefore illegal, general vendors. Such illicit operations have a pernicious effect on both the tax base and economic viability of the City. Unlicensed general vendors do not pay taxes, often sell stolen, defective or counterfeit merchandise and siphon off business from reputable, tax-paying commercial establishments. The practice of selling their wares on the most congested streets of the City impedes the flow of pedestrian traffic, causing the overflow of traffic and, at worst, it creates the potential for tragedy. In recognition of the judgment that licensed and regulated general vendors are a legitimate part of the municipal economy, the council has in the past adopted legislation to limit the number of permitted vendors and to permit the seizure of goods, vehicles, pushcarts or stands used by unlicensed vendors. It is the intent of the council, through this local law, to make more effective the weapons in the city's enforcement arsenal by making clear that the existing law with respect to the seizure of vehicles, pushcarts or other devices used by unlicensed general vendors was intended to permit the seizure of vehicles, pushcarts or other devices used to transport goods which are sold, given or otherwise transferred to an unlicensed general vendor.

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[Consolidated provisions are not included in this Appendix A]

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§ 5. Within ninety days of the effective date of this local law, the commissioner of consumer affairs and the Police commissioner shall submit to the council a joint written report on their program to enforce section 20-453 of the administrative code of the city of New York.

§ 6. This local law shall take effect thirty days after its enactment into law.