Running a vendor market in Allentown.
To run a vendor market on city property in Allentown, the organizer submits a Special Event application to the Bureau of Special Events at least 90 days ahead and carries $1,000,000 in liability insurance. Food vendors need an Allentown Health Bureau temporary concession license and a city business license, and vendors register for Pennsylvania sales tax.
Updated
Event permit.
Special Event Application and Use Permit Agreement
The organizer applies online with a site map, and city departments review the services requested. Once everything is approved, the organizer signs a Use Permit Agreement with the city, which serves as the event permit.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- City of Allentown Bureau of Special Events (Parks & Recreation)
- When
- Events on city-owned public property that need city services such as vendors, police, EMS, road closures, recycling or health permits. Small-scale means 100 to 999 expected attendees and large-scale means 1,000 or more.
- Timing
- Submit at least 90 days before the event (no exceptions); required documents and insurance due 60 days before
Fire safety, tents and cooking.
Fire Prevention services for tents, grills and open flame
The organizer requests Fire Prevention services on the special event application. The city guide says tents must be weighted rather than staked, and tents over 400 ft. in size (the guide's wording) need a fire permit; fees are billed separately by the department.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- City of Allentown Fire Department
- When
- Events with tents, bonfires, fire pits, fireworks, grills or other open fires
Other rules.
Certificate of insurance ($1,000,000) naming the city
Organizers submit a certificate of insurance of $1,000,000 naming the City of Allentown as additional insured for the duration of the event. The guide also says the city provides no electricity, water, restrooms or dumpster.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- City of Allentown Risk & Safety Manager
- When
- All special events on city property
Vendor and business licenses.
Allentown Business License
The license is valid for the calendar year and is applied for through the city's self-service portal or at City Hall. The pages read do not say whether a one-day non-food booth vendor needs it, so confirm with Revenue & Audit.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- City of Allentown Bureau of Revenue & Audit
- When
- Anyone conducting business within the City of Allentown; the special event guide says all event food vendors need a valid business license and insurance
- Fee
- $35.00 annually
Sales tax.
Sales tax license or Transient Vendor Certificate
Register through the Pennsylvania Online Business Tax Registration (myPATH). Transient vendors must notify the Department in writing of dates and locations before entering Pennsylvania.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- Pennsylvania Department of Revenue
- When
- Vendors selling taxable goods or services at events. A Transient Vendor Certificate is for out-of-state sole proprietors or partnerships with no permanent Pennsylvania location selling in the state.
- Timing
- Transient vendors: 30 days before entering Pennsylvania to do business
Promoter License
Promoters register through myPATH and renew annually. They have no filing obligation with the Department.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- Pennsylvania Department of Revenue
- When
- Anyone who rents, leases or grants permission to use space at a show for displaying or selling taxable goods or services
- Timing
- Register at least 30 days before the first show opens
Food vendors.
Temporary concession license and Temporary Concession Coordination form
The organizer requests Health services on the special event application and submits the Temporary Concession Coordination form to the Allentown Health Bureau. The city requires every food vendor to hold a valid business license, insurance and a temporary concession license from the Bureau; fees are billed separately.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- Allentown Health Bureau
- When
- Events with food or drink vendors or on-site cooking and serving
What the rules ask of organizers about vendors.
Pennsylvania requires anyone who rents, leases or grants permission to use space at a show for taxable sales to hold a Promoter License, registered at least 30 days before the first show and renewed annually. The Department says a promoter has no filing obligation.
When to apply.
- Special Event Application and Use Permit Agreement: Submit at least 90 days before the event (no exceptions); required documents and insurance due 60 days before
- Sales tax license or Transient Vendor Certificate: Transient vendors: 30 days before entering Pennsylvania to do business
- Promoter License: Register at least 30 days before the first show opens
Collect the paperwork with each application.
Ask vendors for their sales tax registration, business license, food permit and insurance certificate as required documents on your application form, so you can check them before you approve anyone. Booth fees, tickets and day-of check-in run from the same dashboard.
Selling at markets in Allentown, PA?
The vendor license, sales tax and food permits above are yours to get before the event; the organizer will usually ask for copies with your application. On bzar you apply to markets and pay booth fees by card in one place, and keep your licenses, permits and insurance certificates on file to reuse on every application. Free for vendors. Join bzar free or read how to become a market vendor.
Where the sources are unclear.
- The Allentown Health Bureau licenses food vendors itself, and its Food Protection Services page says it inspects and licenses food vendors of all sizes; confirm with it whether the state Department of Agriculture temporary event license also applies.
- Special event application fees and the temporary concession fee schedule were not stated on the pages read; ask the Bureau of Special Events (610-437-7750) and the Health Bureau (610-437-7760).
- Events on private property without city services were not covered by any official page read.
Common questions.
Do I need a permit to host a vendor market in Allentown?
Special Event Application and Use Permit Agreement (City of Allentown Bureau of Special Events (Parks & Recreation)): The organizer applies online with a site map, and city departments review the services requested. Once everything is approved, the organizer signs a Use Permit Agreement with the city, which serves as the event permit.
Do vendors need a license to sell at events in Allentown?
Allentown Business License (City of Allentown Bureau of Revenue & Audit): The license is valid for the calendar year and is applied for through the city's self-service portal or at City Hall. The pages read do not say whether a one-day non-food booth vendor needs it, so confirm with Revenue & Audit.
Who handles sales tax at a market in Allentown?
Sales tax license or Transient Vendor Certificate (Pennsylvania Department of Revenue): Register through the Pennsylvania Online Business Tax Registration (myPATH). Transient vendors must notify the Department in writing of dates and locations before entering Pennsylvania. Promoter License (Pennsylvania Department of Revenue): Promoters register through myPATH and renew annually. They have no filing obligation with the Department. For organizers: Pennsylvania requires anyone who rents, leases or grants permission to use space at a show for taxable sales to hold a Promoter License, registered at least 30 days before the first show and renewed annually. The Department says a promoter has no filing obligation.
Do food vendors need a separate permit in Allentown?
Temporary concession license and Temporary Concession Coordination form (Allentown Health Bureau): The organizer requests Health services on the special event application and submits the Temporary Concession Coordination form to the Allentown Health Bureau. The city requires every food vendor to hold a valid business license, insurance and a temporary concession license from the Bureau; fees are billed separately.
How far ahead should I apply in Allentown?
Special Event Application and Use Permit Agreement: Submit at least 90 days before the event (no exceptions); required documents and insurance due 60 days before Sales tax license or Transient Vendor Certificate: Transient vendors: 30 days before entering Pennsylvania to do business Promoter License: Register at least 30 days before the first show opens
Keep reading.
Sources.
This page summarizes official government sources and isn't legal or tax advice. Rules, fees and forms change; confirm with each agency before you apply.
Special events contact: Bureau of Special Events, 610-437-7750, events@allentownpa.gov
Every fact on this page comes from these official pages, checked on 2026-10-11. Details change; tell us at hello@bzar.app if something here is out of date.
- https://allentownpa.gov/Portals/0/adam/Content/q8iyvI0fF0O-TCpstp1XIg/Url/Special%20Event%20Application%20How%20to%20Guide%20and%20Flowchart%20-%20External%20PDF.pdf
- https://www.allentownpa.gov/Home/Special-Events
- https://www.allentownpa.gov/en-us/Government/Departments/Finance/Revenue-and-Audit/Business-Licenses
- https://www.pa.gov/agencies/revenue/resources/tax-types-and-information/sales-use-and-hotel-occupancy-tax
- https://www.allentownpa.gov/en-us/Government/Departments/Community-Economic-Development/Health-Bureau/Environmental-Field-Services/Food-Protection-Services
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