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Permits: Virginia

Selling at events in Northern Virginia.

To sell at a market or festival in Virginia, collect sales tax at the event's local rate: vendors at three or fewer events a year can file Form ST-50 instead of registering. Depending on the locality you may also need a local license, and food vendors need a temporary food establishment permit from the local health department.

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Sales tax

Three events or fewer.

  • Vendors at three or fewer events a year can collect and pay sales tax using Form ST-50 without registering.
  • More than three events a year means registering a sales tax account.
  • Collect at the rate where the event is held: 6% in Northern Virginia, 1% on groceries.
Local licenses

By locality.

  • Fairfax County: a Solicitors License for selling from a temporary location costs $35, applied for in person.
  • Alexandria: business license tax for itinerant vendors is $500 a year; peddlers pay $250 (consumables only) or $500.
  • Loudoun: vendors at events of 7 days or less in unincorporated Loudoun are exempt from the county business license.
  • Arlington: food vendors at events collect Arlington's 5% meals tax.
Food

Temporary food permits.

  • Fairfax County: apply in PLUS at least 10 days ahead; a one-time $40 fee covers the calendar year.
  • Arlington: $40 where applicable, at least 10 business days ahead, with a Certified Food Protection Manager on site.
  • Alexandria: a Temporary Food Event Vendor Permit at least 30 days ahead.
Note

Before you rely on this.

This guide summarizes official sources and isn't legal or tax advice. Rules and fees change; confirm with the agency before you apply.

Questions

Common questions.

Do I need to register for Virginia sales tax to sell at one festival?

Not if you sell at three or fewer events a year: collect the tax and pay it with Form ST-50.

Related

Keep reading.

Special event permits for organizersVendor licenses in MarylandSelling at events in DC: licenses and taxSales tax at craft fairs and marketsEventeny alternatives, by what you needTickets next to your vendors
Sources

Sources.

Facts on this page come from these sources, checked on 2026-10-10. Details change; tell us at hello@bzar.app if something here is out of date.

  1. https://www.tax.virginia.gov/news/vendor-tips-fall-festival-season
  2. https://www.tax.virginia.gov/retail-sales-and-use-tax
  3. https://law.lis.virginia.gov/admincode/title23/agency10/chapter210/section570/
  4. https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/cableconsumer/csd/regulation-licensing/canvassers-peddlers-promoters-solicitors
  5. https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/health/permits/temporary-food-establishment
  6. https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/health/sites/health/files/Assets/Documents/PDF/TemporaryEventGuidelines43.2.pdf
  7. https://www.arlingtonva.us/Government/Programs/Health/Temporary-Food-Establishment-Licenses
  8. https://www.arlingtonva.us/files/sharedassets/public/v/2/parks-recreation/documents/special-events/special-event-checklist.pdf
  9. https://alexandriava.gov/taxes/business-license-tax
  10. https://alexandriava.gov/environmental-health/program/health-permits-and-licenses
  11. https://www.loudoun.gov/FAQ.aspx?QID=191
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