Running a vendor market in Baltimore County.
In Baltimore County, MD, a for-profit vendor market or craft show needs a Public Exhibition License (apply to Permits, Approvals and Inspections 60 days ahead); nonprofit events use a free Gathering Permit filed 14 days ahead. Food vendors need a County Health temporary permit, and vendors need Maryland trader's and sales tax licenses.
Updated
Event permit.
Public Exhibition License (temporary event)
File the application with a detailed site plan for outdoor events, the event organizer's details, estimated attendance and three recent events. A License Agreement (Right of Entry License) is required for events on County-owned property, and events at Recreation and Parks facilities follow that department's rules.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- Baltimore County Department of Permits, Approvals and Inspections; issued by the Clerk of the Circuit Court
- When
- For-profit events with public entertainment, performance or exhibition of any kind, including the craft shows, antique, expo and trade shows listed on the form. Events run by nonprofits use the Nonprofit Gathering Permit instead.
- Fee
- $177.00 for a one-day or consecutive-dates temporary event (form Rev 5/2023)
- Timing
- Application must be filed at least 60 calendar days before the event
Nonprofit Gathering Permit
Outdoor events need a detailed site plan, and a copy of the permit goes to the Police Department. The form says there is no fee for the permit but other fees and services may apply.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- Baltimore County Department of Permits, Approvals and Inspections
- When
- Public entertainment, picnics and gatherings held by a nonprofit person, club, association or corporation, indoors or outdoors, with or without admission, including festivals, fundraisers and block parties. Not for gatherings in private residences.
- Fee
- No fee for the permit (other fees may apply)
- Timing
- Submit at least 14 calendar days before the event
Parks and public space.
Recreation and Parks facilities
The Permits office says these events are outside its License Agreement process and are handled under the department's own requirements; call 410-887-3871.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- Baltimore County Department of Recreation and Parks
- When
- Events held at county Recreation and Parks facilities.
Fire safety, tents and cooking.
Temporary Tent Permit
A permit is required for a temporary tent, applied for online with a site plan and a flame retardation certificate. Temporary tents and structures may not stay up more than 180 days in a 12-month period.
- Who
- Organizer and vendors
- From
- Baltimore County Department of Permits, Approvals and Inspections (Fire Marshal enforces the Fire Prevention Code)
- When
- Tents and canopies set up as temporary structures at an event.
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, with a license year of May 1 to April 30. Baltimore County's Permits office says to request business licenses through Maryland Business Express or the Clerk at 410-887-2607. Fees are not listed on this page.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- Baltimore 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.
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
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).
Food vendors.
Temporary Event Food Service Facility Permit
Submit the application with a menu, food source and temperature-control details, and a workers' compensation form. The application is not transferable and the fee is non-refundable.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- Baltimore County Department of Health, Environmental Health Services
- When
- Food vendors at temporary events in Baltimore County. The form must be completed by operators licensed in another jurisdiction or by county-licensed operators who choose not to use their annual permit, and a copy of an annual permit must be attached.
- Fee
- $35 per day of the event
- Timing
- Complete the form at least 14 days before the event
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.
- Public Exhibition License (temporary event): Application must be filed at least 60 calendar days before the event
- Nonprofit Gathering Permit: Submit at least 14 calendar days before the event
- Temporary Sales and Use Tax License (30 days): Temporary license is valid for 30 days
- Temporary Event Food Service Facility Permit: Complete the form at least 14 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 Baltimore 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 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 Baltimore County Permits office says forms not listed online are available by calling 410-887-3616; there is no county vendor or peddler license listed on its Miscellaneous Permits page. Check with the Clerk (410-887-2607) whether a local trader's license applies.
- The Baltimore County Health temporary food form is revision 7/1/26; it refers to an annual permit, so vendors without any food permit should ask Environmental Health Services (410-887-3663) which application applies.
- No official page found for a Baltimore County noise, insurance minimum or alcohol rule for vendor markets as of 2026-10-10; ask Permits, Approvals and Inspections. Parade permits (60 days, certificate of insurance) apply to parades only.
- This page covers Baltimore County government. Baltimore City is a separate jurisdiction (see baltimore-md).
Common questions.
Do I need a permit to host a vendor market in Baltimore County?
Public Exhibition License (temporary event) (Baltimore County Department of Permits, Approvals and Inspections; issued by the Clerk of the Circuit Court): File the application with a detailed site plan for outdoor events, the event organizer's details, estimated attendance and three recent events. A License Agreement (Right of Entry License) is required for events on County-owned property, and events at Recreation and Parks facilities follow that department's rules. Nonprofit Gathering Permit (Baltimore County Department of Permits, Approvals and Inspections): Outdoor events need a detailed site plan, and a copy of the permit goes to the Police Department. The form says there is no fee for the permit but other fees and services may apply.
Do vendors need a license to sell at events in Baltimore County?
Trader's License (or Exhibitor's Affidavit) (Baltimore 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, with a license year of May 1 to April 30. Baltimore County's Permits office says to request business licenses through Maryland Business Express or the Clerk at 410-887-2607. Fees are not listed on this page.
Who handles sales tax at a market in Baltimore 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. 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 Baltimore County?
Temporary Event Food Service Facility Permit (Baltimore County Department of Health, Environmental Health Services): Submit the application with a menu, food source and temperature-control details, and a workers' compensation form. The application is not transferable and the fee is non-refundable.
How far ahead should I apply in Baltimore County?
Public Exhibition License (temporary event): Application must be filed at least 60 calendar days before the event Nonprofit Gathering Permit: Submit at least 14 calendar days before the event Temporary Sales and Use Tax License (30 days): Temporary license is valid for 30 days Temporary Event Food Service Facility Permit: Complete the form at least 14 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: Miscellaneous Permits and Licenses, 410-887-3616, paimiscpermits@baltimorecountymd.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://www.baltimorecountymd.gov/files/departments/permits-approvals-and-inspections/documents/publicexhibitionapplication.pdf
- https://www.baltimorecountymd.gov/departments/pai/miscellaneous-permits
- https://www.baltimorecountymd.gov/files/Documents/Permits/Miscellaneous%20Permits/Gathering%20App.pdf
- https://www.baltimorecountymd.gov/departments/pai/application/temporary-tent
- 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.baltimorecountymd.gov/files/departments/health/documents/temporaryfoodpermitapplication260701.pdf
- https://www.baltimorecountymd.gov/departments/health/environmental/fees
- https://www.baltimorecountymd.gov/departments/health/environmental/food-program
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