Running a vendor market in Bakersfield.
To run a vendor market in Bakersfield, the organizer needs a special event permit from the city Treasury Division if the event affects streets, sidewalks or other public places, plus a Kern County Environmental Health community event permit if food is sold. Vendors need a city business tax certificate and a California seller's permit from CDTFA.
Updated
Event permit.
Special Events Permit
The organizer hand-delivers a complete application with the non-refundable fee and a refundable deposit to Treasury, with a traffic plan, site plan and insurance documents. Acceptance of the application is not final approval, and the packet discourages advertising the event before all permits are in hand.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- City of Bakersfield Treasury Division
- When
- Commercial or business promotions on public streets, sidewalks, alleys or other public places that depart from normal traffic rules, and private-property events that may significantly affect nearby traffic.
- Timing
- Applications due no later than 30 days before the event; the packet asks for a minimum of 30 business days of processing time
Parks and public space.
City park or facility reservation
Organizers contact Recreation & Parks at (661) 326-3866 to schedule the event; rules and restrictions are specific to each park or facility.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- City of Bakersfield Recreation & Parks
- When
- Events held at a City park or facility.
Other rules.
Event insurance and indemnification
The packet requires commercial general liability of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence, adding products liability if food is sold and liquor liability if alcohol is served, with the city named as additional insured. Organizers also sign an indemnification agreement.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- City of Bakersfield Risk Management
- When
- Special event permit holders.
- Timing
- Insurance certificate due 10 working days before the event in the insurance section; the applicant agreement says 10 days
Waste diversion plan
Large-event organizers must contact the Solid Waste Division so the city can review a waste diversion plan.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- City of Bakersfield Solid Waste Division
- When
- Events expecting 2,000 or more attendees per day.
- Timing
- Contact at least 30 days in advance
Vendor and business licenses.
Business Tax Certificate
City ordinance requires a Business Tax Certificate, and Treasury quotes the cost after receiving an application. The city's licensing page also lists transient outdoor business permits among the permits Treasury administers, but publishes no separate details for event vendors.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- City of Bakersfield Treasury Division
- When
- Businesses doing business within the city or located in it.
Sales tax.
Seller's permit or temporary seller's permit
Craft, swap meet and special event sellers need a California seller's permit; a temporary one is for locations open under 90 days and is registered per location with start and end dates. Vendors give the event operator their permit number and details, and CDTFA offers form CDTFA-410-D for this.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA)
- When
- Vendors making retail sales of taxable items at a market. A temporary seller's permit covers a sales location that will operate under 90 days; vendors who already hold a regular seller's permit register the market as a sub-permit instead.
- Timing
- A temporary seller's permit can be obtained up to 90 days before the start date
Operator duties for swap meets, flea markets and special events (Publication 111)
CDTFA's guidance for sellers and vendors lists what each seller must give the event operator in writing: business name, mailing address, phone, driver license or state ID number, a description of items sold, and the seller's permit number.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA)
- When
- Organizers who rent or lease space to sellers at a swap meet, flea market or special event.
Food vendors.
Community Event Permit
The organizer submits a community event application with a site map and vendor list with menus, and pays a fee that depends on the number of food vendors. The organizer is responsible for making sure every food vendor has a valid permit.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- Kern County Public Health Services Department, Environmental Health Division
- When
- Events open to the public where food or drinks are sold or given away, including farmers markets and swap meets; events with one or more food booths need it.
- Timing
- Apply at least 30 days before the event; all food vendor permits must be approved at least 14 days before
Temporary Food Facility (TFF) permit
Vendors can get an annual permit (expires June 30) or a single-event permit that ends with the event. Mobile food trucks without an annual health permit may apply for a mobile temporary facility permit for the event.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- Kern County Public Health Services Department, Environmental Health Division
- When
- Anyone preparing, sampling, serving or giving away food or drinks at a community event, even something simple like popcorn or coffee.
What the rules ask of organizers about vendors.
California law lets CDTFA require swap meet, flea market and special event operators to collect proof from each seller before renting space (a valid seller's permit, or a written statement that they sell nothing taxable), and to send CDTFA a vendor list when it asks. An operator who fails to comply can face a penalty of up to $1,000 per offense.
When to apply.
- Special Events Permit: Applications due no later than 30 days before the event; the packet asks for a minimum of 30 business days of processing time
- Event insurance and indemnification: Insurance certificate due 10 working days before the event in the insurance section; the applicant agreement says 10 days
- Waste diversion plan: Contact at least 30 days in advance
- Seller's permit or temporary seller's permit: A temporary seller's permit can be obtained up to 90 days before the start date
- Community Event Permit: Apply at least 30 days before the event; all food vendor permits must be approved at least 14 days before
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 Bakersfield, CA?
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.
- No special event permit fee amount was published on the pages read; the permit packet says the fee is set by City Council resolution and is paid in person.
- The city's definition of a special event centers on public streets and public places. A market held entirely on private property that does not affect traffic may not need this permit; the city's FAQ says to apply if traffic on nearby streets would be significantly affected.
- The permit packet still contains 2021 COVID mega-event language and is undated; confirm current requirements with Treasury at 661-326-3762.
- Kern County's food fee list is on a separate Environmental Health fees page that was not read; call (661) 862-8740.
- The city's business tax certificate page does not state who qualifies for a transient outdoor business permit; ask Treasury whether out-of-town event vendors need one.
Common questions.
Do I need a permit to host a vendor market in Bakersfield?
Special Events Permit (City of Bakersfield Treasury Division): The organizer hand-delivers a complete application with the non-refundable fee and a refundable deposit to Treasury, with a traffic plan, site plan and insurance documents. Acceptance of the application is not final approval, and the packet discourages advertising the event before all permits are in hand. City park or facility reservation (City of Bakersfield Recreation & Parks): Organizers contact Recreation & Parks at (661) 326-3866 to schedule the event; rules and restrictions are specific to each park or facility.
Do vendors need a license to sell at events in Bakersfield?
Business Tax Certificate (City of Bakersfield Treasury Division): City ordinance requires a Business Tax Certificate, and Treasury quotes the cost after receiving an application. The city's licensing page also lists transient outdoor business permits among the permits Treasury administers, but publishes no separate details for event vendors.
Who handles sales tax at a market in Bakersfield?
Seller's permit or temporary seller's permit (California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA)): Craft, swap meet and special event sellers need a California seller's permit; a temporary one is for locations open under 90 days and is registered per location with start and end dates. Vendors give the event operator their permit number and details, and CDTFA offers form CDTFA-410-D for this. Operator duties for swap meets, flea markets and special events (Publication 111) (California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA)): CDTFA's guidance for sellers and vendors lists what each seller must give the event operator in writing: business name, mailing address, phone, driver license or state ID number, a description of items sold, and the seller's permit number. For organizers: California law lets CDTFA require swap meet, flea market and special event operators to collect proof from each seller before renting space (a valid seller's permit, or a written statement that they sell nothing taxable), and to send CDTFA a vendor list when it asks. An operator who fails to comply can face a penalty of up to $1,000 per offense.
Do food vendors need a separate permit in Bakersfield?
Community Event Permit (Kern County Public Health Services Department, Environmental Health Division): The organizer submits a community event application with a site map and vendor list with menus, and pays a fee that depends on the number of food vendors. The organizer is responsible for making sure every food vendor has a valid permit. Temporary Food Facility (TFF) permit (Kern County Public Health Services Department, Environmental Health Division): Vendors can get an annual permit (expires June 30) or a single-event permit that ends with the event. Mobile food trucks without an annual health permit may apply for a mobile temporary facility permit for the event.
How far ahead should I apply in Bakersfield?
Special Events Permit: Applications due no later than 30 days before the event; the packet asks for a minimum of 30 business days of processing time Event insurance and indemnification: Insurance certificate due 10 working days before the event in the insurance section; the applicant agreement says 10 days Waste diversion plan: Contact at least 30 days in advance Seller's permit or temporary seller's permit: A temporary seller's permit can be obtained up to 90 days before the start date Community Event Permit: Apply at least 30 days before the event; all food vendor permits must be approved at least 14 days before
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: City of Bakersfield Treasury Division, Special Events: 661-326-3762
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://content.civicplus.com/api/assets/ca-bakersfield/66df6b46-19f6-4905-9eb0-acc6473e2d9b?cache=1800
- https://www.bakersfieldcity.us/business-licenses-permits-fees
- https://cdtfa.ca.gov/industry/temporary-sellers/
- https://cdtfa.ca.gov/formspubs/pub111/sellers-and-vendors.htm
- https://www.kernpublichealth.com/environmental-health/food/community-events
- https://cdtfa.ca.gov/lawguides/vol1/sutl/6073.html
Collect every vendor permit in one place.
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