Running a vendor market in Anne Arundel County.
In Anne Arundel County, MD, a Special Events Permit from the Licensing Division is needed for events of 500 or more people that use public streets or property, block traffic, or need extra county services, applied for 90 days ahead. Food vendors need a Health Department temporary license, and vendors need Maryland trader's and sales tax licenses.
Updated
Event permit.
Special Events Permit
Apply, pay and track through the Land Use Navigator system. The application is not itself a permit, incomplete applications expire after 30 days, and the county reviews and acknowledges applications within 30 business days. Public safety charges are billed separately and fee waivers can be requested. The county notes other permits may be needed for temporary tents and trade work, and a separate City permit applies inside Annapolis.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- Anne Arundel County Licensing Division, Department of Inspections and Permits
- When
- An activity, concert, parade or public assembly of 500 people or more that exclusively uses public streets or property, blocks vehicle or pedestrian traffic, or needs county services beyond normal operations. A private event not open to the public that meets none of those tests needs no permit; events inside theaters, halls, restaurants and similar venues at allowed occupancy, and events at county parks (Recreation and Parks, 410-222-7317), are outside it.
- Fee
- $100 expedited fee if filed less than 90 days before the event
- Timing
- Submit no later than 90 days and no earlier than one year before the start date
Other rules.
Public safety service charges
The county's special events resource requirements list hourly rates for fire and police staffing and scale medical and police staffing with expected crowd size.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- Anne Arundel County Fire Department and Police Department
- When
- Events that use county fire, EMS or police resources; medical and police staffing scale with expected crowd size.
- Fee
- Fire Department $90 to $400 per hour depending on service; Police Department $75 to $125 per hour with a three-hour minimum
Vendor and business licenses.
Trader's License (or Exhibitor's Affidavit)
The Comptroller's license bureau says a trader's license from the Clerk of the Circuit Court is required, along with a sales tax account, and the license year runs May 1 to April 30. A copy of the license or affidavit must be shown to the promoter before the show and displayed during it. 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.
Transient Vendor License (roadside or temporary sales)
Free, valid for 90 days, and issued only to holders of a Maryland sales and use tax license. It must be displayed when selling, and a local trader's license from the Clerk of the Circuit Court may also be needed.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- Comptroller of Maryland
- When
- Sellers at a roadside or other temporary location. The Comptroller says this does not apply to exhibitors at fairs, trade shows and flea markets.
- Fee
- Free; valid for 90 days
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 through Maryland Tax Connect.
- 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
Flea market and show sales are taxable
The Comptroller says sales at flea markets are subject to the 6 percent sales and use tax like other retail sales, and a seller must hold a license before collecting it. A 30-day permit is available by phone from the Special Events Section at 410-767-1543 or 410-767-1531; 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 nonprofits and private individuals (casual and isolated sales under $1,000 and a few other sales are exempt).
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.
- 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
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.
When to apply.
- Special Events Permit: Submit no later than 90 days and no earlier than one year before the start date
- Temporary Food Service Facility License: Applications must be received at least two weeks before the event to avoid the penalty fee
- Temporary Sales and Use Tax License (30 days): Temporary license is valid for 30 days
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 Anne Arundel County, MD?
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.
- 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 Health Department temporary food application PDF is dated 10/2022, so the fees may have changed; confirm with Food Protection Services at 410-222-7192 (south) or 410-222-0056 (north).
- No official page found for a county tent or fire permit for temporary events, or for a county peddler license, as of 2026-10-10; ask the Anne Arundel County Fire Department and the Licensing Division.
Common questions.
Do I need a permit to host a vendor market in Anne Arundel County?
Special Events Permit (Anne Arundel County Licensing Division, Department of Inspections and Permits): Apply, pay and track through the Land Use Navigator system. The application is not itself a permit, incomplete applications expire after 30 days, and the county reviews and acknowledges applications within 30 business days. Public safety charges are billed separately and fee waivers can be requested. The county notes other permits may be needed for temporary tents and trade work, and a separate City permit applies inside Annapolis.
Do vendors need a license to sell at events in Anne Arundel County?
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's license bureau says a trader's license from the Clerk of the Circuit Court is required, along with a sales tax account, and the license year runs May 1 to April 30. A copy of the license or affidavit must be shown to the promoter before the show and displayed during it. Fees are not listed on this page. Transient Vendor License (roadside or temporary sales) (Comptroller of Maryland): Free, valid for 90 days, and issued only to holders of a Maryland sales and use tax license. It must be displayed when selling, and a local trader's license from the Clerk of the Circuit Court may also be needed.
Who handles sales tax at a market in Anne Arundel County?
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 through Maryland Tax Connect. Flea market and show sales are taxable (Comptroller of Maryland): The Comptroller says sales at flea markets are subject to the 6 percent sales and use tax like other retail sales, and a seller must hold a license before collecting it. A 30-day permit is available by phone from the Special Events Section at 410-767-1543 or 410-767-1531; 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 Anne Arundel County?
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 Anne Arundel County?
Special Events Permit: Submit no later than 90 days and no earlier than one year before the start date Temporary Food Service Facility License: Applications must be received at least two weeks before the event to avoid the penalty fee Temporary Sales and Use Tax License (30 days): Temporary license is valid for 30 days
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: specialevents@aacounty.org; Licensing Division (410) 222-7788
Every fact on this page comes from these official pages, checked on 2026-10-10. Details change; tell us at hello@bzar.app if something here is out of date.
- https://www.aacounty.org/inspections-and-permits/licenses/non-trade-licenses/special-events-permit
- https://www.aacounty.org/inspections-and-permits/licenses/non-trade-licenses/special-events-permit/special-events-resource
- https://www.aahealth.org/sites/default/files/2023-04/temp-food-web.pdf
- https://www.marylandcomptroller.gov/businesses/new-business/business-licenses.html
- https://services.marylandcomptroller.gov/taxes?id=kb_article_view&sysparm_article=KB0010143
- https://services.marylandcomptroller.gov/taxes?id=kb_article_view&sysparm_article=KB0010107
- https://services.marylandcomptroller.gov/taxes?id=kb_article_view&sysparm_article=KB0010150
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