The Vendor license application (Form L_032_F) is the City of Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I) form for a NEW vending license. L&I issues licenses to operate businesses in the City, and this application is one of the Philadelphia business license forms for street vending. The form says it must be submitted in person and must not be mailed. On this page you can fill out the form online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF; the original is published by the City at phila.gov.
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What is L_032_F?
The Vendor license application (printed on the form as Application for a Vendor License, L_032_F, Form AB) is the City of Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I) application for a new vending license of a stated type.
The form covers seven license types, which you mark in Part A: Newsstand, Vendor-on-Foot, Pushcart, Vendor Motor Vehicle, Sidewalk Sales, Honor Box and Food Establishment (non-permanent). It collects the owner's contact details, any Pennsylvania corporations in which the applicant holds an equity interest, the applicant's Philadelphia Business Tax number and Commercial Activity License number, and a description of the stand, vehicle and goods to be sold.
Part B is a checklist confirming that the required supporting documents are attached. Part C lists the limits and conditions of vending, such as the ban on vending between twelve midnight and seven a.m., the thirty-foot spacing between conveyances and the pushcart size limit of four feet wide, eight feet long and eight feet high. Page 3 holds the newsstand dimension and location diagram and the signed declaration.
The L&I vending materials page lists this form separately from the Curb market vendor license application and the Special vending district license application, which are different applications.
Who needs to file L_032_F?
Anyone applying for a NEW license of one of these types files this form with L&I:
- Newsstand
- Vendor-on-Foot
- Pushcart
- Vendor Motor Vehicle
- Sidewalk Sales
- Honor Box
- Food Establishment (non-permanent)
The owner or operator signs the declaration on page 3. For a company, the form asks for up to two corporate owners to be named, each with title and home address.
Some applicants have extra requirements. Newsstand applicants add a diagram of the stand and proof of bond, and a new owner of an existing newsstand adds a notarized bill of sale. Honor Box applicants need approval from the L&I Vending Unit. Applicants selling food need a current Health approval.
The form is for new licenses and is not a mail-in application. The L&I vending materials page lists the Curb market vendor license application and the Special vending district license application as separate forms, so use those for curb market or special-district vending.
When to file L_032_F
File the application when you are ready to apply for a new vending license, once the Part B supporting documents are in hand. The form prints no filing deadline or renewal date of its own.
Check these points before you go: all City of Philadelphia taxes, charges and fees must be current, since Part B asks you to confirm it. A Honor Box applicant must first request approval from the L&I Vending Unit by email at [email protected]. A food vendor needs a current Health approval, and a frozen dessert machine needs two Health Department certifications, one for the freezer machine and one for the conveyance.
Documents you need
- Two photo identifications, 2 in. x 2 in., in color, provided with the application.
- Two photos and proof of identity for any employees, if the vendor has employees.
- A current Health approval, if food is being sold; mark N/A in Part B if not.
- Two certifications from the Health Department for frozen dessert machines: one for the freezer machine and one for the conveyance.
- A Streets Department approval, as Part B requires.
- A completed diagram of the stand location with dimensions.
- A copy of the lease agreement, if a motor vehicle is leased.
- A copy of a notarized Bill of Sale, for a new owner of an existing Newsstand.
- Proof of bond, for Newsstand applications; the amount is printed on the form.
- The approval from the L&I Vending Unit, for Honor Box applications, requested by email at [email protected].
How to fill out L_032_F
Select the license type
In Part A, check the type you are applying for: Newsstand, Vendor-on-Foot, Pushcart, Vendor Motor Vehicle, Sidewalk Sales, Honor Box or Food Establishment (non-permanent). The form is for NEW licenses.
Enter the newsstand location
Fill in Location of Newsstand (if applicable) only if you are applying for a newsstand license.
Enter the owner's contact details
Write the Owner's Name, Owner's Address, Owner's Email and Phone #.
List corporate owners and equity interests
Name all Pennsylvania corporations, including limited liability corporations, in which the applicant holds any equity interest, directly or through tiers. If the legal entity is a company, name up to two corporate owners with name, title and home address (city, state, ZIP).
Provide license and tax numbers
Enter the Philadelphia Business Tax # and the Commercial Activity License #.
Describe the vending activity
Enter the Date Activity Started at Property, the Description of Vehicle / Stand and the Description of Activity / Business (kinds of goods to be sold). If a motor vehicle is used, include its year and make.
Add vehicle registration and license
If applicable, enter the Motor vehicle registration # and the Driver's license #. If the vehicle is leased, you must provide a copy of the lease agreement.
Complete the Honor Box section
Only for an Honor Box license, check Corner location and list the intersecting streets and the specific corner, or check Mid-block location and list the directional side of the street and the two streets that bracket it.
Verify the Part B checklist
Check Yes for each item you are providing: taxes current, two photo IDs, Health approval (or N/A), employee photos and proof of identity, Streets Department approval and the stand diagram.
Add newsstand or Honor Box items
For a newsstand, mark the notarized Bill of Sale (new owner of an existing newsstand) and the proof of bond. For an Honor Box, mark the L&I Vending Unit approval.
Fill in the newsstand diagram
On page 3, enter the dimensions (length x width) and square feet, and show the stand location: the building line, the distance from building line to curb line, and any fire hydrant, pole, transit shelter or other obstruction, with the street name.
Sign, review and download the PDF
Read the Part C limits and conditions, then sign and date the declaration as Owner's / Operator's. Check all entries, then download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF and take it, with the attachments, to L&I in person.
How to submit L_032_F
The form must be submitted in person. The first line of the form reads "DO NOT MAIL THIS APPLICATION."
- In person: take the completed, signed application to L&I with every document listed in Part B. The form prints no office address or hours. L&I publishes its vending applications at https://www.phila.gov/documents/vending-business-license-materials/.
- Honor Box approval by email: request the L&I Vending Unit approval at [email protected] before you apply, and bring it with the application. The email is for that request, not for filing the application.
Bring the required photos, approvals, diagram and, where they apply, the lease, bill of sale and proof of bond. The form states no fee, and the amount is not given here; ask L&I for it. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the in-person channel above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Mailing the application when the form says "DO NOT MAIL THIS APPLICATION" and requires in-person submission.
- Applying while City of Philadelphia taxes, charges or fees are not current, since Part B asks you to confirm they are.
- Leaving out the year and make of the vehicle in the description when a motor vehicle is used.
- Omitting the lease agreement copy when the vehicle is leased.
- Submitting a food-vending application without a current Health approval, or a frozen dessert machine with only one of the two Health certifications.
- Applying for an Honor Box license without first getting approval from the L&I Vending Unit.
- Filing a newsstand application without the dimensioned stand diagram, the proof of bond, or, for a new owner of an existing newsstand, the notarized Bill of Sale.
- Planning to sell items outside the newsstand list on the form; the form warns that selling any other item may lead to immediate revocation of licenses.
- Signing the declaration with a false statement; the form says a knowingly false statement may lead to revocation of any licenses and other penalties.
Frequently asked questions
Can I mail the Philadelphia vendor license application?
No. The form states "DO NOT MAIL THIS APPLICATION" and says it must be submitted in person. Bring the signed application and every Part B attachment to L&I; the form prints no office address, so check the L&I vending page at phila.gov.
Which licenses does the vendor license application cover?
It covers new Newsstand, Vendor-on-Foot, Pushcart, Vendor Motor Vehicle, Sidewalk Sales, Honor Box and Food Establishment (non-permanent) licenses. Curb market and special vending district licenses have separate applications listed on the L&I vending page.
What documents do I attach to the vendor license application?
Part B asks for two 2 in. x 2 in. color photo IDs, a Streets Department approval and a stand diagram with dimensions. Add employee photos and ID, a Health approval for food, and a lease, bill of sale, bond or Vending Unit approval where they apply.
How do I get approval for an Honor Box in Philadelphia?
Request approval from the L&I Vending Unit by email at [email protected]. The approval is a Part B item for Honor Box applications, so attach it to the application you bring in.
Do I need Health approval to sell food from a cart or vehicle?
Yes, if food is being sold: Part B asks for a current Health approval, or N/A if you sell no food. A frozen dessert machine needs two Health Department certifications, one for the freezer machine and one for the conveyance.
What can a Philadelphia newsstand license sell?
Only newspapers, periodicals, paperbound books, state lottery tickets, wrapped candy, tobacco products and magazines. The form warns that selling any other item may result in the immediate revocation of any licenses.
Can I fill out the vendor license application online?
You can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is independent of the City and does not file the form; you submit it in person to L&I.
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