The Application for a Special Vending District License is the form the City of Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I) uses for a NEW license to run a vending business in one of the city's special vending districts. It is one of the Philadelphia business license applications L&I publishes for vendors. On this page you can fill out the form online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF. The form must be submitted in person and must not be mailed; the official PDF is published by the City of Philadelphia.
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What is L_031_F?
The Application for a Special Vending District License (form L_031_F, Rev 11.2022) is the City of Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I) application for a new license to sell goods in one of the city's special vending districts.
The form is used only for a NEW license. It has three parts plus a declaration:
- Part A names the special vending district, the owner and any corporate owners, the Philadelphia Business Tax # and Commercial Activity License #, and the category of goods to be sold.
- Part B is a checklist in which you verify that City taxes, charges and fees are current and that the required documentation is provided.
- Part C lists the limits and conditions of sidewalk vending.
- The Declaration and Signature block is signed and dated by the owner.
The districts listed on the form are Central Germantown (Germantown & Chelten), University City, 52nd Street Business District, Center City, Germantown Corridor (York & Butler) and Temple University. L&I lists the application among its vending business materials, next to separate applications for a curb market vendor license and for newsstand, vendor-on-foot, pushcart and mobile food vending licenses. This form is not a substitute for those.
Who needs to file L_031_F?
Owners who want a NEW Special Vending District License to vend in one of the districts printed on the form use this application. The form asks for the owner's name, address, email and phone number, and the owner signs it.
- If the legal entity is a "company," up to two corporate owners must be named, each with title and home address.
- The applicant must also name all Pennsylvania corporations, including limited liability corporations, in which the applicant has any equity interest, whether direct or held through tiers of a corporate structure such as a parent-subsidiary structure.
- Applicants for Center City may apply only after L&I has announced that a lottery will be held.
- Applicants who currently hold a Center City sidewalk location enter that location and their Sidewalk Sales # in Part A.
- Applicants selling food must provide a current Health approval.
The form is for new licenses only. Vendors seeking newsstand, vendor-on-foot, pushcart, mobile food vending or curb market licenses use other L&I applications.
When to file L_031_F
Submit the application when you are applying for a NEW Special Vending District License. For Center City, complete it only after L&I has announced that a lottery will be held. The form prints no other deadline.
Part B shows what you need ready at that point: an award letter from the L&I Vending Unit showing your approved location, two color photo identifications, and a current Health approval if you will sell food. City taxes, charges and fees must be current when you confirm Part B.
Documents you need
- Two photo identifications, 2 in. x 2 in., in color, provided with the application (Part B).
- An award letter from the L&I Vending Unit showing your approved location, provided with the application (Part B).
- A current Health approval, only if food is being sold (Part B).
How to fill out L_031_F
Select the special vending district
In Part A, check one district: Central Germantown (Germantown & Chelten), University City, 52nd Street Business District, Center City, Germantown Corridor (York & Butler) or Temple University.
Enter the owner's information
Write the Owner's Name, Owner's Address, Owner's Email and Phone #. If the legal entity is a company, name up to two corporate owners with their title and home address (city, state, ZIP).
List Pennsylvania corporations
Name all Pennsylvania corporations, including limited liability corporations, in which you have any equity interest, direct or through tiers of a corporate structure.
Enter license and tax numbers
Fill in the Philadelphia Business Tax # and the Commercial Activity License #.
Add current Center City location
If you hold one, enter your Current Center City Sidewalk Location and Current Sidewalk Sales #.
Check the category of goods
Select all that apply, such as Non-Food, Food / Preparation, Food / Non-Preparation, Nuts, Flowers, Produce, Clothing, Pretzels, Hot Dogs, Water Ice, Ice Cream or Combination.
List items for Germantown York & Butler
Only for the Germantown York – Butler district, write every item to be sold on the lines provided.
Verify the Part B checklist
Check Yes for each item: taxes, charges and fees current; two photo IDs; award letter from the L&I Vending Unit; and Health approval if food is sold.
Read the Part C conditions
Review the limits on blocking access, unattended stands, loading time, operating hours between eleven p.m. and six a.m., trucks and Philadelphia Code compliance.
Sign and date the declaration
The owner signs and dates the Declaration and Signature block certifying the statements are true and correct.
Review, download and bring it in person
Check every entry, then download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF and bring it with the Part B documents as described under How to submit.
How to submit L_031_F
The application is submitted in person; the form states in capital letters DO NOT MAIL THIS APPLICATION.
- In person: bring the signed application and the Part B documents to L&I. The form prints no office address or hours, and the agency page that lists it names no office either, so confirm where to deliver it with the Department of Licenses and Inspections through the vending materials page.
- Center City: apply only after L&I announces a lottery.
Include with the application the two photo identifications (2 in. x 2 in., in color), the award letter from the L&I Vending Unit, and a current Health approval if food is sold. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the in-person channel above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Mailing the application; the form says it must be submitted in person.
- Applying for a Center City license before L&I has announced that a lottery will be held.
- Using this form for something other than a NEW Special Vending District License.
- Leaving out the photo IDs or the award letter from the L&I Vending Unit that Part B says must accompany the application.
- Omitting the current Health approval when food is being sold.
- Confirming that City taxes, charges and fees are current when they are not.
- Naming no corporate owners, or more than two, when the legal entity is a company; the form allows up to two.
- Leaving the list of items to be sold blank for a Germantown York & Butler application.
- Submitting the form without the owner's signature and date.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Special Vending District License application?
It is the City of Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections form (L_031_F) for a NEW license to operate a vending business in a special vending district. It covers the owner, license and tax numbers, goods sold and supporting documents.
Can I mail the Special Vending District License application?
No. The form states in capital letters that it must not be mailed and that the application must be submitted in person. Bring the signed form and the Part B documents to L&I.
Which districts does the application cover?
Central Germantown (Germantown & Chelten), University City, 52nd Street Business District, Center City, Germantown Corridor (York & Butler) and Temple University. You select one district in Part A.
When can I apply for a Center City license?
Only after the Department of Licenses and Inspections has announced that a lottery will be held. The form says Center City applications are completed only once that announcement is made.
What documents go with the application?
Two color photo IDs (2 in. x 2 in.), an award letter from the L&I Vending Unit showing your approved location and, if you sell food, a current Health approval. Part B asks you to confirm each one.
Is this form for renewing a vending license?
No. The form is for a NEW Special Vending District License. L&I lists other vending applications, such as the vendor license application and the curb market vendor license application, on its vending materials page.
Can I fill out the application online?
You can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF does not submit it to the City or L&I; you still bring the application in person.
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