Permits: Berkeley, CA

Running a vendor market in Berkeley.

In Berkeley, a special event permit is required for gatherings of 50 or more people in a City park or any event on a City street or sidewalk, filed 30 to 60 days ahead. The organizer needs a business license, food booths need Berkeley Environmental Health permits, and merchandise vendors need a California seller's permit.

Updated October 11, 2026

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For the organizer

Event permit.

Special Event Permit (street and park events)

Applications need a site plan, emergency access plan, parking and security plans, a trash and recycling plan, an insurance certificate and agreement to the conditions of use, including an end time of 10 pm. For park events, nearby picnic and bounce house areas must be reserved first.

Who: Organizer
From: City of Berkeley Special Events
When: Events of 50 or more people in a City park, or any event using a City street, sidewalk, median or other right-of-way; street closures on weekdays or in commercial areas; events combining two or more major elements such as amplified sound, food service, alcohol or large set-ups
Fee: Street events: $128 to $350 filing fee by impact level and timing, plus $350 refundable deposit. Park events: $180 to $1,000 for a one-day event by size and residency, plus $700 refundable deposit
Timing: Complete applications at least 30 days before (fewer than 500 attendees) or 60 days before (more than 500 or major street closures); events of 200 or more should start 6 to 9 months early

Official page

For the organizer

Fire safety, tents and cooking.

Fire permits for tents, open burning and assembly

The city fire permit list includes assembly, tent and membrane structures, open burning, and fireworks and fire effects. Apply by emailing FireSubmittals@berkeleyca.gov with the application. The special event page says organizers may also need Fire Department permits depending on activities.

Who: Organizer
From: City of Berkeley Fire Department
When: Events using tents or membrane structures, open burning or fireworks and fire effects

Official page

For the organizer

Other rules.

Event insurance and waste plan

Organizers must provide $1,000,000 general liability insurance naming the City of Berkeley as additional insured, with limits set by the City's Risk Manager. Trash and recycling plans go to Zero Waste 45 days before the event, with ClearStream bin reservations coordinated 30 days before.

Who: Organizer
From: City of Berkeley
When: All special event permits

Official page

For your vendors

Vendor and business licenses.

Berkeley business license (business tax certificate)

Berkeley requires a business tax certificate for each location, a revenue tax rather than a regulatory permit. Street artists and vendors follow a special screening process on the application page. Status questions go to (510) 981-7200 or buslic@berkeleyca.gov.

Who: Organizer and vendors
From: City of Berkeley (business license / business tax certificate)
When: Businesses operating, directly or indirectly, in Berkeley; the page names street artists and vendors; the special event page says an organizer with vendors must have one

Official page

For your vendors

Sales tax.

Seller's permit or temporary seller's permit

A temporary seller's permit covers one selling location for 90 days or less, with start and end dates entered when registering online. Some sellers are exempt, such as those selling only exempt food products and occasional sellers.

Who: Vendors
From: City of Berkeley Special Events
When: Vendors making retail sales of taxable goods at a market; generally three or more taxable sales within 12 months at a location open for less than 90 days
Fee: Free
Timing: You may obtain a temporary seller's permit 90 days prior to your business start date

Official page

Seller information for the event operator

Sellers of new or used goods, including handcrafted items, generally hold a seller's permit, and a seller with an existing permit still registers a sub-permit for the temporary location. Sellers give the event operator their business details and permit number in writing, and CDTFA offers form CDTFA-410-D for this.

Who: Vendors
From: City of Berkeley Special Events
When: Sellers at swap meets, flea markets and special events

Official page

Seller's permit for merchandise vendors at special events (Berkeley application)

The city's special event instructions say each merchandise vendor needs a seller's permit and each food or beverage vendor a health permit, and the application lists each merchandise vendor's name, contact details and what they sell.

Who: Organizer and vendors
From: City of Berkeley Special Events
When: Special events with merchandise vendors

Official page

For your vendors

Food vendors.

Temporary food booth permits and event coordinator permit

Berkeley's own Environmental Health Division, not Alameda County, permits event food. Booth operators send the application with payment to 2180 Milvia St; the event coordinator permit must be issued before any booth permit. Call (510) 981-5310.

Who: Organizer and vendors
From: City of Berkeley Environmental Health Division
When: Food booths at special events in Berkeley; the event coordinator permit applies to events with 2 or more vendors
Fee: Service fee / multiple-day fee: food booth $182 / $250; pre-packaged food $44 / $75; event coordinator for 2 or more vendors $182 / $250
Timing: Booth operators submit applications at least two weeks before the event

Official page

Organizer duty

What the rules ask of organizers about vendors.

Under CDTFA Publication 111, operators of swap meets, flea markets and special events may not rent space to a seller until they verify the seller holds a valid seller's permit, unless an exemption applies. Operators collect each seller's business name, address, phone, ID, items sold and permit number in writing, keep the records at least four years, and give them to CDTFA within 30 days of a written request. The page warns of a penalty of up to $1,000 per seller for missing records.

Official page

Timeline

When to apply.

Special Event Permit (street and park events): Complete applications at least 30 days before (fewer than 500 attendees) or 60 days before (more than 500 or major street closures); events of 200 or more should start 6 to 9 months early
Seller's permit or temporary seller's permit: You may obtain a temporary seller's permit 90 days prior to your business start date
Temporary food booth permits and event coordinator permit: Booth operators submit applications at least two weeks before the event

On bzar

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.

For vendors

Selling at markets in Berkeley, 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.

Check with the agency

Where the sources are unclear.

Berkeley's permit page says the city is no longer accepting special event applications for new or expanded 2026 events; returning events and 2027 applications are still accepted.
Berkeley has its own health department; Alameda County Environmental Health excludes Berkeley.
Berkeley's food booth page labels its two fee columns 'Service Fee' and 'Multiple-day Fee' without defining them; confirm which applies at (510) 981-5310.

Questions

Common questions.

Do I need a permit to host a vendor market in Berkeley?

Special Event Permit (street and park events) (City of Berkeley Special Events): Applications need a site plan, emergency access plan, parking and security plans, a trash and recycling plan, an insurance certificate and agreement to the conditions of use, including an end time of 10 pm. For park events, nearby picnic and bounce house areas must be reserved first.

Do vendors need a license to sell at events in Berkeley?

Berkeley business license (business tax certificate) (City of Berkeley (business license / business tax certificate)): Berkeley requires a business tax certificate for each location, a revenue tax rather than a regulatory permit. Street artists and vendors follow a special screening process on the application page. Status questions go to (510) 981-7200 or buslic@berkeleyca.gov.

Who handles sales tax at a market in Berkeley?

Seller's permit or temporary seller's permit (City of Berkeley Special Events): A temporary seller's permit covers one selling location for 90 days or less, with start and end dates entered when registering online. Some sellers are exempt, such as those selling only exempt food products and occasional sellers. Seller information for the event operator (City of Berkeley Special Events): Sellers of new or used goods, including handcrafted items, generally hold a seller's permit, and a seller with an existing permit still registers a sub-permit for the temporary location. Sellers give the event operator their business details and permit number in writing, and CDTFA offers form CDTFA-410-D for this. For organizers: Under CDTFA Publication 111, operators of swap meets, flea markets and special events may not rent space to a seller until they verify the seller holds a valid seller's permit, unless an exemption applies. Operators collect each seller's business name, address, phone, ID, items sold and permit number in writing, keep the records at least four years, and give them to CDTFA within 30 days of a written request. The page warns of a penalty of up to $1,000 per seller for missing records.

Do food vendors need a separate permit in Berkeley?

Temporary food booth permits and event coordinator permit (City of Berkeley Environmental Health Division): Berkeley's own Environmental Health Division, not Alameda County, permits event food. Booth operators send the application with payment to 2180 Milvia St; the event coordinator permit must be issued before any booth permit. Call (510) 981-5310.

How far ahead should I apply in Berkeley?

Special Event Permit (street and park events): Complete applications at least 30 days before (fewer than 500 attendees) or 60 days before (more than 500 or major street closures); events of 200 or more should start 6 to 9 months early Seller's permit or temporary seller's permit: You may obtain a temporary seller's permit 90 days prior to your business start date Temporary food booth permits and event coordinator permit: Booth operators submit applications at least two weeks before the event

Keep reading.

Permits in Fremont, CAPermits in Oakland, CAPermits in Anaheim, CAPermits in Bakersfield, CAPermits in Chula Vista, CAPermits in Fresno, CACalifornia state rules: sales tax and cottage foodPermit checklist for BerkeleyWhat event permits cost across US citiesCollecting vendor insurance and permitsHow to host a vendor eventVendor application form template

Sources

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: Special Events, specialevents@berkeleyca.gov, (510) 981-7071

Every fact on this page comes from these official pages, checked on 2026-10-11. Details change; tell us at hello@bzar.app if something here is out of date.

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