# Vendor event permits in Baltimore, MD

To run a vendor market in Baltimore, apply to the Department of Transportation's Special Events team at least six weeks ahead for public events, or to Housing and Community Development for a temporary event permit on private property. Food vendors need a Baltimore City Health Department temporary food license, and all vendors need Maryland sales tax and trader's licenses.

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

## For the organizer: Event permit

### Special Event permit
Submit the online application through the City's OpenGov permitting portal. A permit technician follows up on fees, and city services (police, fire marshal, EMS, waste removal) are billed separately. Application fees are non-refundable and a 50 percent discount may apply with a registered 501(c)(3) partner.
- Who: organizer
- From: Baltimore City Department of Transportation (BCDOT), Special Events team
- When: Public events in a City park, parades, foot races, festivals, block parties over 200 participants and all Inner Harbor events. Events on private property go through the Department of Housing and Community Development instead.
- Fee: Application fee $80 more than 10 weeks before, $125 at 10 to 8 weeks, $250 at 8 to 6 weeks
- Timing: Submit a complete application at least 6 weeks before the event
- Official page: https://www.baltimorecity.gov/transportation/our-work/right-of-way-services/special-events-permitting-street-vending-licenses/special-events-permitting

### Temporary Special Event Permit (private property)
Apply online through the DHCD ePermits site with a checklist; the application is reviewed by Fire, Police, Public Works, Transportation and the Liquor Board, and may be referred to the Health Department when food is served. DHCD's One Stop Shop Permit Center is at 443-984-1809.
- Who: organizer
- From: Baltimore City Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD)
- When: Bazaars, fairs, dances, displays, exhibitions, rummage sales and similar events held on private property. Events on City-owned property apply to the Special Events Office instead.
- Official page: https://www.baltimorecity.gov/media/document/temporaryspecialeventpermitapplicationupdate092022pdf

## For the organizer: Parks and public space

### Park event applications and event parking
Park application fees depend on how early you apply, and park events may add a security deposit and area fee. The street-side Event Parking and Footway Application is for lane closures and reserved parking where no Special Events permit was issued.
- Who: organizer
- From: Baltimore City Department of Recreation and Parks; BCDOT
- When: Events in City parks (private events under 250 guests with no amplified sound apply through Recreation and Parks) and events needing reserved street parking or curbed lane closures.
- Fee: Park application fee $75 more than 8 weeks before, $175 at 8 to 6 weeks
- Timing: Submit a complete application at least 6 weeks before the event date; the Event Parking and Footway Application must be submitted no later than 7 days before the event
- Official page: https://www.baltimorecity.gov/transportation/our-work/right-of-way-services/special-events-permitting-street-vending-licenses/special-events-permitting

## For the organizer: Fire safety, tents and cooking

### Tent and temporary structure permit
Submit construction documents with a scaled floor plan showing tents and how they are secured. Tents over 400 square feet are referred to the Fire Department before the permit is issued, and signed and sealed drawings may be required for large structures.
- Who: organizer
- From: Baltimore City DHCD and Baltimore City Fire Department
- When: Tents or membrane structures of 120 square feet or more used for gatherings of 10 or more people; tents over 400 square feet need both DHCD and Fire Department approval.
- Official page: https://www.baltimorecity.gov/media/document/temporaryspecialeventpermitapplicationupdate092022pdf

### Fire Department tent inspection fee
The Special Events fee table lists a separate inspection fee for large tents.
- Who: organizer
- From: Baltimore City Fire Department
- When: Tents over 400 square feet at a permitted special event.
- Fee: $45 Fire Department Tent Inspection (over 400 square feet)
- Official page: https://www.baltimorecity.gov/transportation/our-work/right-of-way-services/special-events-permitting-street-vending-licenses/special-events-permitting

## For the organizer: Other rules

### Temporary noise exemption
Apply on BCHD Form 9-303. Granting an exemption is at the Health Commissioner's discretion. Events that sell or serve alcohol must also submit a security plan with the Special Events application.
- Who: organizer
- From: Baltimore City Health Department (Commissioner of Health)
- When: Events with amplified sound or music that may exceed permissible sound levels.
- Fee: No fee for the exemption
- Official page: https://www.baltimorecity.gov/media/document/tempfoodappinteractive1502202pdf

## For vendors: Vendor and business licenses

### Street and Mobile Vending License
Applicants must be 18 or older, complete a notarized application, and pay the annual license fee by vendor type plus an application fee.
- Who: vendors
- From: Baltimore City Department of Transportation
- When: Selling food, merchandise or services from vehicles, carts or similar on City rights-of-way. The page does not say whether it applies to vendors inside a permitted event or on private property.
- Fee: Food vendors $375 downtown, $75 outside downtown; merchant vendors $75; non-refundable application fee $25
- Official page: https://www.baltimorecity.gov/transportation/about/divisions/right-of-way-services/street-and-mobile-vending

### 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: Circuit Court for Baltimore City, 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

### 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
- Official page: https://services.marylandcomptroller.gov/taxes?id=kb_article_view&sysparm_article=KB0010143

## 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 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
- Official page: https://services.marylandcomptroller.gov/taxes?id=kb_article_view&sysparm_article=KB0010107

### 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).
- Official page: https://services.marylandcomptroller.gov/taxes?id=kb_article_view&sysparm_article=KB0010150

## For vendors: Food vendors

### Temporary Food Service Facility License
Each booth or stand submits its own application with a menu and the sponsor's approval letter, and the license must be posted at the booth. The City's Special Events page also directs vendors to this application.
- Who: organizer and vendors
- From: Baltimore City Health Department, Bureau of Environmental Health
- When: Anyone preparing and selling or giving away food at a public event of 14 days or less. Maryland-licensed caterers doing major prep at their licensed facility, and organizers who will not handle food, are excepted (organizers submit Form SPC-EVT).
- Fee: $50.00 application fee per booth or stand
- Timing: Apply at least 15 days before the event
- Official page: https://www.baltimorecity.gov/media/document/tempfoodappinteractive1502202pdf

## 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.
- Baltimore City is independent of Baltimore County; its Clerk of the Circuit Court issues trader's licenses for city sellers, and the City has no separate local sales tax (Maryland has none).
- The Baltimore temporary food application PDF and the DHCD guideline PDF carry no clear issue date (DHCD guide shows REV 12/2021); confirm fees and deadlines with the agencies.
- The business licensing function formerly on the Finance page has moved to the Department of Consumer Protection and Business Licensing (410-361-9690), which lists street vendor and transient merchant licenses but no fees on its pages.

## Questions

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

Special Event permit (Baltimore City Department of Transportation (BCDOT), Special Events team): Submit the online application through the City's OpenGov permitting portal. A permit technician follows up on fees, and city services (police, fire marshal, EMS, waste removal) are billed separately. Application fees are non-refundable and a 50 percent discount may apply with a registered 501(c)(3) partner. Temporary Special Event Permit (private property) (Baltimore City Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD)): Apply online through the DHCD ePermits site with a checklist; the application is reviewed by Fire, Police, Public Works, Transportation and the Liquor Board, and may be referred to the Health Department when food is served. DHCD's One Stop Shop Permit Center is at 443-984-1809.

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

Street and Mobile Vending License (Baltimore City Department of Transportation): Applicants must be 18 or older, complete a notarized application, and pay the annual license fee by vendor type plus an application fee. Trader's License (or Exhibitor's Affidavit) (Circuit Court for Baltimore City, 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.

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

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 Baltimore?**

Temporary Food Service Facility License (Baltimore City Health Department, Bureau of Environmental Health): Each booth or stand submits its own application with a menu and the sponsor's approval letter, and the license must be posted at the booth. The City's Special Events page also directs vendors to this application.

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

Special Event permit: Submit a complete application at least 6 weeks before the event Park event applications and event parking: Submit a complete application at least 6 weeks before the event date; the Event Parking and Footway Application must be submitted no later than 7 days before the event Temporary Sales and Use Tax License (30 days): Temporary license is valid for 30 days Temporary Food Service Facility License: Apply at least 15 days before the event

## Sources

- https://www.baltimorecity.gov/transportation/our-work/right-of-way-services/special-events-permitting-street-vending-licenses/special-events-permitting
- https://www.baltimorecity.gov/media/document/temporaryspecialeventpermitapplicationupdate092022pdf
- https://www.baltimorecity.gov/transportation/about/divisions/right-of-way-services/street-and-mobile-vending
- 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
- https://www.baltimorecity.gov/media/document/tempfoodappinteractive1502202pdf

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