# Vendor event permits in Buffalo, NY

In Buffalo, organizers of events on public property apply for a Special Events Permit from the City's Special Events Office at least 90 days ahead. Vendors need a City Temporary Stand or Exhibitor license, food vendors need an Erie County temporary food permit, and sellers register for a New York Certificate of Authority.

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

## For the organizer: Event permit

### Special Events Permit
The organizer files a complete electronic application with a signed hold harmless agreement and a certificate of insurance naming the City as additional insured. The office sends a cost breakdown, and an advisory committee gives final approval once payment is received. Selling food also requires an Erie County temporary food permit.
- Who: organizer
- From: City of Buffalo Special Events Office
- When: Events expected to draw large crowds, held on public property or on private property that affects public property, and needing City support or resources. Buffalo's page does not say whether a small event wholly on private property needs one.
- Timing: Complete the application at least 90 days before the event
- Official page: https://www.buffalony.gov/767/Special-Events-Applications

## For vendors: Vendor and business licenses

### Temporary Stand / Exhibitor license
The event organizer submits the Temporary Stand/Exhibitor form listing the event, dates and products sold, with a separate fee by category. Buffalo's license list also has separate mobile and stationary peddler licenses for sellers outside an organized event.
- Who: organizer and vendors
- From: City of Buffalo Department of Permit and Inspection Services, Office of Licenses
- When: Food stands and merchandise exhibitors at a temporary event in Buffalo. The form states it is turned in to the Office of Licenses by the event organizer.
- Fee: $40.00 Temporary Stand (sale of food); $35.00 Exhibitor (sale of merchandise)
- Official page: https://www.buffalony.gov/640/License-Applications-Code-Requirements

## For vendors: Sales tax

### Certificate of Authority (regular)
Show and entertainment vendors must get a regular Certificate of Authority; a temporary certificate is not available to them and the separate show-vendor certificate was discontinued. Apply online through New York Business Express.
- Who: vendors
- From: New York State Department of Taxation and Finance
- When: Anyone making taxable sales in New York, including at craft shows, flea markets and other shows, even if sales are occasional
- Timing: Register at least 20 days before you begin business
- Official page: https://www.tax.ny.gov/pubs_and_bulls/tg_bulletins/st/how_to_register_for_nys_sales_tax.htm

### Show promoter permit (Form DTF-723) for four or more shows a year
Promoters in that group must register and display a Permit to Operate a Show at the entrance, and report each show afterward. Fewer than four shows a year means no state promoter registration.
- Who: organizer
- From: New York State Department of Taxation and Finance
- When: Organizers who operate four or more shows in a calendar year, or lease space to others who do. Flea markets, craft shows, antique shows and fairs with more than one vendor selling taxable goods count as shows. A show is one event of up to seven consecutive days.
- Timing: File at least 10 days before the fourth show opens
- Official page: https://www.tax.ny.gov/pdf/publications/sales/pub750.pdf

## For vendors: Food vendors

### Temporary Food Service Establishment permit
Each food stand applies on the county's temporary food service application, follows New York State Sanitary Code Part 14-2, and is subject to inspection at any time during the event.
- Who: vendors
- From: Erie County Department of Health, Environmental Health Division
- When: Any stand serving or selling food, or giving away samples, to the public at a single event or celebration of not more than 14 consecutive days in Erie County, which includes the City of Buffalo. A permit is specific to one event and its dates; blanket permits for several events are not allowed.
- Fee: $106 (1-3 days), $120 (4-7 days) or $150 (8-14 days) if applied at least 5 days before; $146, $160 or $190 if later; extra $25 for a frozen dessert machine
- Timing: Submit at least 5 days before the first day of operation to avoid the late fee
- Official page: https://www3.erie.gov/envhealth/restaurant-inspections-food-sanitation-services

## What the rules ask of organizers about vendors

New York State bars a show promoter from letting anyone sell taxable goods at a show unless the seller is registered with the Tax Department, and requires the promoter to make sure each vendor displays a valid Certificate of Authority. Starting with the fourth show a year, promoters must keep each vendor's name, address, certificate number and rent paid for three years and file Form DTF-727 after each show. (https://www.tax.ny.gov/pdf/publications/sales/pub750.pdf)

## Where the sources are unclear

- Erie County's page states a fee cap of $1,000 per operator at an event when one operator is responsible for several stands; the fee schedule PDF was not separately read, and the application form is dated 2023-03.
- The state sales tax publication (Pub 750) used for promoter rules is dated 11/2015; confirm current forms with the Tax Department.
- The New York State Sanitary Code says a temporary permit covers one event of up to 14 days; Erie County says it does not issue one permit for several events.
- Buffalo's Special Events page links a separate Special Events Fee Schedule that was not read, so permit fees are not listed; the City's Office of Licenses lists mobile and stationary peddler licenses, whose forms were not read. The Temporary Stand/Exhibitor form is revision 02-26 and says the organizer turns in the forms.

## Questions

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

Special Events Permit (City of Buffalo Special Events Office): The organizer files a complete electronic application with a signed hold harmless agreement and a certificate of insurance naming the City as additional insured. The office sends a cost breakdown, and an advisory committee gives final approval once payment is received. Selling food also requires an Erie County temporary food permit.

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

Temporary Stand / Exhibitor license (City of Buffalo Department of Permit and Inspection Services, Office of Licenses): The event organizer submits the Temporary Stand/Exhibitor form listing the event, dates and products sold, with a separate fee by category. Buffalo's license list also has separate mobile and stationary peddler licenses for sellers outside an organized event.

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

Certificate of Authority (regular) (New York State Department of Taxation and Finance): Show and entertainment vendors must get a regular Certificate of Authority; a temporary certificate is not available to them and the separate show-vendor certificate was discontinued. Apply online through New York Business Express. Show promoter permit (Form DTF-723) for four or more shows a year (New York State Department of Taxation and Finance): Promoters in that group must register and display a Permit to Operate a Show at the entrance, and report each show afterward. Fewer than four shows a year means no state promoter registration. For organizers: New York State bars a show promoter from letting anyone sell taxable goods at a show unless the seller is registered with the Tax Department, and requires the promoter to make sure each vendor displays a valid Certificate of Authority. Starting with the fourth show a year, promoters must keep each vendor's name, address, certificate number and rent paid for three years and file Form DTF-727 after each show.

**Do food vendors need a separate permit in Buffalo?**

Temporary Food Service Establishment permit (Erie County Department of Health, Environmental Health Division): Each food stand applies on the county's temporary food service application, follows New York State Sanitary Code Part 14-2, and is subject to inspection at any time during the event.

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

Temporary Food Service Establishment permit: Submit at least 5 days before the first day of operation to avoid the late fee Certificate of Authority (regular): Register at least 20 days before you begin business Show promoter permit (Form DTF-723) for four or more shows a year: File at least 10 days before the fourth show opens Special Events Permit: Complete the application at least 90 days before the event

## Sources

- https://www3.erie.gov/envhealth/restaurant-inspections-food-sanitation-services
- https://www3.erie.gov/envhealth/sites/www3.erie.gov.envhealth/files/2023-03/tempfoodserviceestablishmentapp.pdf
- https://www3.erie.gov/envhealth/sites/www3.erie.gov.envhealth/files/2022-11/guidelinestemporaryfoodstands.pdf
- https://www.tax.ny.gov/pubs_and_bulls/tg_bulletins/st/how_to_register_for_nys_sales_tax.htm
- https://www.tax.ny.gov/pdf/publications/sales/pub750.pdf
- https://www.buffalony.gov/767/Special-Events-Applications
- https://www.buffalony.gov/640/License-Applications-Code-Requirements
- https://www.buffalony.gov/DocumentCenter/View/15892/TES-EXP-02-26

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