Running a vendor market in Atlanta.
To run a vendor market in Atlanta, the organizer applies to the Mayor's Office of Special Events for an outdoor event permit, food vendors need a county health board temporary food permit that the organizer submits in Fulton County, and vendors need a city Business Occupational Tax Certificate and report Georgia sales tax on a Miscellaneous Sales Event form.
Updated
Event permit.
Outdoor event permit (assembly, outdoor festival or large gathering)
The office permits all outdoor events and sorts them into assembly, outdoor festival or large gathering. Festivals pay a separate application fee and permit fee by attendance class, must present to the neighborhood planning unit, and must notify neighbors within three blocks.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- City of Atlanta Mayor's Office of Special Events
- When
- Outdoor events in the city. A vendor market with vending, tents 10x10 or larger or a stage on city property or parks counts as an outdoor festival when it expects at least 250 people on public property or 500 on private property. Large gatherings on private property mostly do not need an event permit. A few venues (Centennial Park, Piedmont Park Multipurpose Complex and others listed on the page) are booked directly with the venue instead.
- Fee
- Outdoor festival (for-profit) $100.00 application fee and $500.00 permit fee for 250-1,999 attendance; non-profit $50.00 application and $250.00 permit; large gathering $50.00 application fee
Other rules.
Special Event for Profit alcohol permit
The state issues a special event permit for selling alcohol at events that would otherwise need a retail license, applied for through the Georgia Tax Center.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- Georgia Department of Revenue
- When
- Only if alcohol is sold at the event and the site does not already hold a state retail alcohol license
- Fee
- $25 non-profit; $50 for-profit malt beverage; $50 for-profit wine; $100 for-profit distilled spirits
- Timing
- Request the permit 10 days before the event
Vendor and business licenses.
Business Occupational Tax Certificate
Atlanta requires an occupational tax certificate of every business operating in the city, applied for through the ATLBIZ online portal with ID, notarized E-Verify and SAVE affidavits and any regulatory permit. The portal also lists a separate Vendor regulatory permit type, so ask the Office of Revenue whether event sellers need it.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- City of Atlanta Department of Finance, Office of Revenue
- When
- Businesses operating within Atlanta city limits. A Georgia business located in another city registers where it is located and that registration is valid statewide, while out-of-state businesses register in each jurisdiction where they have a business location.
- Fee
- $75.00 registration fee and $50.00 zoning review fee for a new registration
Sales tax.
Miscellaneous Sales Event report (Form FS-32)
Unregistered sellers collect tax at the rate of the county where the event is held, report taxable sales on Form FS-32, and pay the tax by check or money order. The form and tax go to the Revenue Agent on duty at the end of the event or are mailed within 3 days.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- Georgia Department of Revenue
- When
- Sellers at a one-off event who are not registered for Georgia sales tax; registered sellers report on their regular return
Food vendors.
Temporary food service permit for special events
The organizer files the event application and every food vendor's application together, and each vendor booth is inspected before a permit is issued. Late filings are charged double.
- Who
- Organizer and vendors
- From
- Fulton County Board of Health, Environmental Health Services
- When
- Food vendors at a special event in Fulton County (parts of Atlanta lie in DeKalb County, which was not researched). Events sponsored by a nonprofit or a political subdivision that last 120 hours or less can claim an exemption.
- Fee
- $110.00 organizer fee; $146.00 plan review per vendor; $73.00 per day per high-risk vendor or $37.00 per day per low-risk vendor; $146.00 non-food permit
- Timing
- Submit at least 30 business days before the event
When to apply.
- Temporary food service permit for special events: Submit at least 30 business days before the event
- Special Event for Profit alcohol permit: Request the permit 10 days before the event
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 Atlanta, GA?
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.
- Georgia's FS-32 page and the Department's sales tax overview do not mention event promoters, so no promoter duty is listed. Registered sellers can include event sales on their regular Georgia sales tax return.
- The Fulton County Board of Health organizer packet is marked revised 8-9-2018 and fees may have changed; confirm with Environmental Health Services, Central District 404-613-1303.
Common questions.
Do I need a permit to host a vendor market in Atlanta?
Outdoor event permit (assembly, outdoor festival or large gathering) (City of Atlanta Mayor's Office of Special Events): The office permits all outdoor events and sorts them into assembly, outdoor festival or large gathering. Festivals pay a separate application fee and permit fee by attendance class, must present to the neighborhood planning unit, and must notify neighbors within three blocks.
Do vendors need a license to sell at events in Atlanta?
Business Occupational Tax Certificate (City of Atlanta Department of Finance, Office of Revenue): Atlanta requires an occupational tax certificate of every business operating in the city, applied for through the ATLBIZ online portal with ID, notarized E-Verify and SAVE affidavits and any regulatory permit. The portal also lists a separate Vendor regulatory permit type, so ask the Office of Revenue whether event sellers need it.
Who handles sales tax at a market in Atlanta?
Miscellaneous Sales Event report (Form FS-32) (Georgia Department of Revenue): Unregistered sellers collect tax at the rate of the county where the event is held, report taxable sales on Form FS-32, and pay the tax by check or money order. The form and tax go to the Revenue Agent on duty at the end of the event or are mailed within 3 days.
Do food vendors need a separate permit in Atlanta?
Temporary food service permit for special events (Fulton County Board of Health, Environmental Health Services): The organizer files the event application and every food vendor's application together, and each vendor booth is inspected before a permit is issued. Late filings are charged double.
How far ahead should I apply in Atlanta?
Temporary food service permit for special events: Submit at least 30 business days before the event Special Event for Profit alcohol permit: Request the permit 10 days before the event
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: 404-330-6741 / specialevents@atlantaga.gov
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://dor.georgia.gov/document/form/miscellaneouseventsfs-32pdf/download
- https://fultoncountyga.gov/-/media/Departments/Board-of-Health/Special-Event-Organizer-Packet.pdf
- https://dor.georgia.gov/special-event-profit
- https://www.atlantaga.gov/government/mayor-s-office/executive-offices/office-of-special-events/outdoor-events-fees
- https://www.atlantaga.gov/government/departments/finance/office-of-revenue/frequently-asked-questions
Collect every vendor permit in one place.
bzar is free for organizers: vendor applications with required documents, booth payments, tickets and check-in in one dashboard.