# Vendor event permits in Annapolis, MD

In Annapolis, an organizer files a Special Events application with the City through its Citizen Self Service portal, and the city's Recreation and Parks page says to apply at least four weeks ahead. Food vendors need an Anne Arundel County Health Department temporary license, and vendors need a Maryland trader's license and sales tax license.

_Sources checked 2026-10-10. Not legal or tax advice; confirm with each agency._

## For the organizer: Event permit

### Special Events Application and Agreement
Applications go through the city's online portal, where city departments review them against city codes, and status can be tracked on the city's Status of Applications page. The city has said parade routes using Main Street, City Dock or Dock Street cannot be approved through 2028 because of construction and emergency access limits.
- Who: organizer
- From: City of Annapolis (Development and Events, through the Citizen Self Service portal)
- When: Special events and one-time activities in the City of Annapolis. The city's page does not set an attendance threshold or say which events are exempt; ask the Special Events office whether a private-property market needs it.
- Timing: Special event applications must be submitted at least four (4) weeks before the event (stated on the city's Recreation and Parks facility permitting page)
- Official page: https://www.annapolis.gov/465/Special-Events

## For the organizer: Parks and public space

### City park and recreation area use
The Special Events page sends organizers to Recreation and Parks for these spaces; the page gives the phone number but no fees or rules. Susan Campbell Park is excluded from that referral, so ask the Special Events office about it.
- Who: organizer
- From: City of Annapolis Department of Recreation and Parks
- When: Events in city-owned or operated parks and recreation areas, other than Susan Campbell Park.
- Official page: https://www.annapolis.gov/465/Special-Events

## For vendors: Vendor and business licenses

### Trader's License (or Exhibitor's Affidavit)
The Comptroller says a trader's license from the Clerk of the Circuit Court and a sales tax account are required to sell goods in Maryland, and the license year runs May 1 to April 30. An exhibitor must show the promoter a photocopy of the license or affidavit before the show and display it during the show. Fees are not listed on this page.
- Who: vendors
- From: Anne Arundel County Clerk of the Circuit Court (statewide rules enforced by the Comptroller's License Bureau)
- When: Anyone selling goods in Maryland other than a grower or manufacturer. Exhibitors at a show do not need their own trader's license when the show is promoted by an exempt entity the Comptroller lists (for example a church, government agency or volunteer fire department), or when they give the promoter an Exhibitor's Affidavit saying they get under 10 percent of annual income from like goods at the show. Either way they must not have done more than three shows in the previous 365 days.
- Official page: https://www.marylandcomptroller.gov/businesses/new-business/business-licenses.html

## For vendors: Sales tax

### Temporary Sales and Use Tax License (30 days)
A vendor emails the event date, name and location plus business details to the Comptroller's temporary license desk (or calls 410-767-1543 or 410-767-5462) and collects the 6 percent or 9 percent Maryland sales and use tax, as the Comptroller states. Vendors at three or more events a year should register for a permanent license.
- Who: vendors
- From: Comptroller of Maryland
- When: Vendors without a permanent Maryland sales and use tax license who sell at one-time events such as craft shows and fairs. Maryland has one statewide rate and no local sales taxes.
- Timing: Temporary license is valid for 30 days
- Official page: https://services.marylandcomptroller.gov/taxes?id=kb_article_view&sysparm_article=KB0010107

### Flea market and show sales are taxable
The Comptroller's tax tip says flea market sales are taxable like any other sale, a seller must get a license before collecting, and the license must be displayed where sales are made. A 30-day permit is available by phone from the Special Events Section; frequent sellers should get a permanent license through the Combined Registration Application.
- Who: vendors
- From: Comptroller of Maryland
- When: Vendors at flea markets and similar markets, including private individuals (casual and isolated sales under $1,000 of a seller's own household goods are exempt; dealers and resale goods are not).
- Official page: https://www.marylandcomptroller.gov/content/dam/mdcomp/tax/legal-publications/tips/business/bustip14.pdf

## For vendors: Food vendors

### Temporary Food Service Facility License
Submit the application, a menu page, a Priority Assessment form and a workers' compensation compliance statement (or a Workers' Compensation Commission exemption letter if no paid employees). Nonprofits with IRS proof of status are fee exempt, and food may not be served until the setup is inspected or a license is issued.
- Who: vendors
- From: Anne Arundel County Department of Health, Food Protection Services
- When: Vendors preparing or serving food at a temporary event, including events in Annapolis (food permits are county, not city).
- Fee: $114.00 for High/Moderate Priority facilities or $35.00 for Low Priority; penalty $22.80 or $7.00 if received less than two weeks before the event
- Timing: Applications must be received at least two weeks before the event to avoid the penalty fee
- Official page: https://www.aahealth.org/sites/default/files/2023-04/temp-food-web.pdf

## What the rules ask of organizers about vendors

A show promoter may not let an exhibitor take part unless the exhibitor has given a photocopy of a valid Trader's License or an Exhibitor's Affidavit before the show. Exhibitors must display it, and the promoter must forward all Exhibitor Affidavits to the Comptroller's State License Bureau within seven days after the show. Non-compliance is a misdemeanor with a fine up to $100 or up to 30 days in jail. (https://www.marylandcomptroller.gov/businesses/new-business/business-licenses.html)

## Where the sources are unclear

- Maryland rules on sales tax, trader's licenses and promoter duties come from the Comptroller of Maryland and apply statewide. The promoter rules are written for shows and exhibitors; confirm with the Comptroller's License Bureau that your vendor market counts as a show.
- The Comptroller's tax guidance articles (services.marylandcomptroller.gov KB pages) render with JavaScript, so an automated fetch returns an empty shell; the temporary license text was read in a browser on 2026-10-10. The static Business Tax Tip #14 lists the Special Events Section number as 410-767-1540, while the KB article lists 410-767-1543 and 410-767-5462; Tip #14 is undated. Confirm the number with the Comptroller.
- The Anne Arundel Health Department temporary food PDF is dated 10/2022, so fees may have changed; confirm with Food Protection Services at 410-222-7192 (south) or 410-222-0056 (north).
- The city's Special Events page does not state a lead time, fees or insurance rules. The four-week figure comes from the Recreation and Parks facility permitting page, which also covers sports field permits, so confirm it applies to a vendor market with the Special Events office. Applications are in the Citizen Self Service portal (css.annapolis.gov); the portal itself was not read.
- No official page found for a City of Annapolis vendor, peddler or street-vending license for market sellers as of 2026-10-10; the city's Start a Business page points to state licenses and the Anne Arundel Circuit Court for business licenses. Ask the Special Events office and the Permits office (Permitting@annapolis.gov).
- No official page found for a City of Annapolis tent or fire permit for temporary events as of 2026-10-10; ask the City permit office and the Annapolis Fire Department.
- The Anne Arundel County Special Events Permit (500+ people on public streets or property) is covered in the anne-arundel-county-md file; confirm with both the city and the county Licensing Division which applies to an event inside Annapolis.

## Questions

**Do I need a permit to host a vendor market in Annapolis?**

Special Events Application and Agreement (City of Annapolis (Development and Events, through the Citizen Self Service portal)): Applications go through the city's online portal, where city departments review them against city codes, and status can be tracked on the city's Status of Applications page. The city has said parade routes using Main Street, City Dock or Dock Street cannot be approved through 2028 because of construction and emergency access limits. City park and recreation area use (City of Annapolis Department of Recreation and Parks): The Special Events page sends organizers to Recreation and Parks for these spaces; the page gives the phone number but no fees or rules. Susan Campbell Park is excluded from that referral, so ask the Special Events office about it.

**Do vendors need a license to sell at events in Annapolis?**

Trader's License (or Exhibitor's Affidavit) (Anne Arundel County Clerk of the Circuit Court (statewide rules enforced by the Comptroller's License Bureau)): The Comptroller says a trader's license from the Clerk of the Circuit Court and a sales tax account are required to sell goods in Maryland, and the license year runs May 1 to April 30. An exhibitor must show the promoter a photocopy of the license or affidavit before the show and display it during the show. Fees are not listed on this page.

**Who handles sales tax at a market in Annapolis?**

Temporary Sales and Use Tax License (30 days) (Comptroller of Maryland): A vendor emails the event date, name and location plus business details to the Comptroller's temporary license desk (or calls 410-767-1543 or 410-767-5462) and collects the 6 percent or 9 percent Maryland sales and use tax, as the Comptroller states. Vendors at three or more events a year should register for a permanent license. Flea market and show sales are taxable (Comptroller of Maryland): The Comptroller's tax tip says flea market sales are taxable like any other sale, a seller must get a license before collecting, and the license must be displayed where sales are made. A 30-day permit is available by phone from the Special Events Section; frequent sellers should get a permanent license through the Combined Registration Application. For organizers: A show promoter may not let an exhibitor take part unless the exhibitor has given a photocopy of a valid Trader's License or an Exhibitor's Affidavit before the show. Exhibitors must display it, and the promoter must forward all Exhibitor Affidavits to the Comptroller's State License Bureau within seven days after the show. Non-compliance is a misdemeanor with a fine up to $100 or up to 30 days in jail.

**Do food vendors need a separate permit in Annapolis?**

Temporary Food Service Facility License (Anne Arundel County Department of Health, Food Protection Services): Submit the application, a menu page, a Priority Assessment form and a workers' compensation compliance statement (or a Workers' Compensation Commission exemption letter if no paid employees). Nonprofits with IRS proof of status are fee exempt, and food may not be served until the setup is inspected or a license is issued.

**How far ahead should I apply in Annapolis?**

Special Events Application and Agreement: Special event applications must be submitted at least four (4) weeks before the event (stated on the city's Recreation and Parks facility permitting page) Temporary Sales and Use Tax License (30 days): Temporary license is valid for 30 days Temporary Food Service Facility License: Applications must be received at least two weeks before the event to avoid the penalty fee

## Sources

- https://www.annapolis.gov/465/Special-Events
- https://annapolis.gov/2244/Facility-Use-Permitting---Scheduling
- https://www.annapolis.gov/390/Forms
- https://www.marylandcomptroller.gov/businesses/new-business/business-licenses.html
- https://services.marylandcomptroller.gov/taxes?id=kb_article_view&sysparm_article=KB0010107
- https://www.marylandcomptroller.gov/content/dam/mdcomp/tax/legal-publications/tips/business/bustip14.pdf
- https://www.aahealth.org/sites/default/files/2023-04/temp-food-web.pdf

All cities: https://bzar.app/permits