Permits: Calvert County, MD

Running a vendor market in Calvert County.

In Calvert County, MD, a public event on county park property needs a Special Event Permit from Parks and Recreation, applied for 60 days ahead. Tents over 150 square feet need inspections, food vendors apply to the Calvert County Health Department for a temporary food license, and vendors without a permanent account get a Comptroller temporary sales tax license.

Updated October 11, 2026

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For the organizer

Event permit.

Special Event Permit

The organizer sends the application with a site plan to the Event and Marketing Coordinator, then a planning meeting sets an addendum listing all requirements and fees before the permit is issued. The permittee must contact the sheriff and fire department 30 days before the event, and is responsible for vendors; the county's 2020 manual also requires a sex offender search for vendors and volunteers at county-property events.

Who: Organizer
From: Calvert County Parks and Recreation
When: Public events held on county-owned park property or community centers. The county page says a permit is required only there, but events elsewhere may still need county services such as tent permits, food service permits, sheriff's detail or a road closure. A private event on private property that is not open to the public needs no permit.
Fee: $50 application fee (county page); the 2020 manual lists permit fees from $50 (under 100 guests) to $1000 (5001 or more guests) and a $250 refundable deposit for large events
Timing: At least 60 days before the event; 6 months for High Impact Events (road closure of 12 hours or more, or 2,000 or more expected)

Official page

For the organizer

Fire safety, tents and cooking.

Tent permit and inspections

The permittee obtains tent inspections through Inspections and Permits: a commercial building permit application, a Fire Marshal plans review form, tent details, a site plan and manufacturer specifications including fire retardant properties. Inspections by the State Fire Marshal and the county are required after the tent is erected and before use. The manual also requires a 15-foot fire lane to stay open.

Who: Organizer
From: Calvert County Department of Planning and Zoning, Inspections and Permits (with the State Fire Marshal)
When: Tents larger than 150 square feet at special events
Fee: $45 tent permit fee

Official page

For your vendors

Vendor and business licenses.

Trader's License (or Exhibitor's Affidavit at a show)

Maryland trader's licenses are issued by the county Circuit Court Clerk (Calvert County clerk: 410-535-1600 ext. 2264) for a May 1 to April 30 license year. The Comptroller says a promoter must collect each exhibitor's trader's license copy or Exhibitor's Affidavit before the show.

Who: Vendors
From: Clerk of the Circuit Court for Calvert County, for the Comptroller of Maryland
When: Anyone selling goods in Maryland who is not a grower or manufacturer. At a show, an exhibitor does not need their own trader's license if the show is promoted by an exempt entity the Comptroller lists, or if they give the promoter an Exhibitor's Affidavit (under 10 percent of annual income from like goods, and no more than three shows in the previous 365 days).

Official page

For your vendors

Sales tax.

Temporary Sales and Use Tax License (30 days)

A vendor contacts the Comptroller's temporary license desk with the event date, name and location plus business details, then collects Maryland sales and use tax on event sales. 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.

Official page

Flea market sales are taxable (Business Tax Tip #14)

The Comptroller says flea market sales are taxable like any other sale and a vendor must first get a license, either a 30-day permit or a permanent license through the Combined Registration Application. The 6 percent rate is a single statewide rate with no local sales taxes, and vendors must display their license where sales are made.

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 of a seller's own household goods are exempt, but not sales by full or part-time dealers)

Official page

For your vendors

Food vendors.

Temporary Food Service Facility Permit

Vendors submit the application packet to the Health Department, which will not accept incomplete packets. Without a valid permit a vendor cannot serve food at the event. The permit fee rises as the event gets closer.

Who: Vendors
From: Calvert County Health Department, Division of Environmental Health
When: Food vendors at temporary events; a vendor may also need a HACCP plan for higher-risk menus
Fee: $110 if received 10 or more days before; $143 at 6-9 days; $209 at 3-5 days; $269 under 3 days (fee schedule effective July 1, 2026)
Timing: Application packet at least 10 calendar days before the event

Official page

Organizer duty

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.

Official page

Timeline

When to apply.

Special Event Permit: At least 60 days before the event; 6 months for High Impact Events (road closure of 12 hours or more, or 2,000 or more expected)
Temporary Food Service Facility Permit: Application packet at least 10 calendar days 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 Calvert 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.

Check with the agency

Where the sources are unclear.

The Special Event Permit Manual is dated March 5, 2020 and its fee table is for 2020; the county page lists only the $50 application fee. Its contacts also differ: the manual gives events@calvertcountymd.gov and 410-535-1600 ext. 2649, the page gives specialevents@calvertcountymd.gov. Confirm current details.
The county page does not say whether a public vendor market on private land needs a Special Event Permit; ask Parks and Recreation or Planning and Zoning (410-535-2348).
The health department's application and fee schedule are PDFs on calverthealth.org; Environmental Health can be reached at 410-535-3922.
The Comptroller's temporary-license page (services.marylandcomptroller.gov) loads its content by script, so the 30-day license details (email Templicense@marylandtaxes.gov, 410-767-1543 or 410-767-5462) were taken from the state hub's earlier read; Business Tax Tip #14 gives the Special Events Section number as 410-767-1540, so confirm the phone number before relying on it.

Questions

Common questions.

Do I need a permit to host a vendor market in Calvert County?

Special Event Permit (Calvert County Parks and Recreation): The organizer sends the application with a site plan to the Event and Marketing Coordinator, then a planning meeting sets an addendum listing all requirements and fees before the permit is issued. The permittee must contact the sheriff and fire department 30 days before the event, and is responsible for vendors; the county's 2020 manual also requires a sex offender search for vendors and volunteers at county-property events.

Do vendors need a license to sell at events in Calvert County?

Trader's License (or Exhibitor's Affidavit at a show) (Clerk of the Circuit Court for Calvert County, for the Comptroller of Maryland): Maryland trader's licenses are issued by the county Circuit Court Clerk (Calvert County clerk: 410-535-1600 ext. 2264) for a May 1 to April 30 license year. The Comptroller says a promoter must collect each exhibitor's trader's license copy or Exhibitor's Affidavit before the show.

Who handles sales tax at a market in Calvert County?

Temporary Sales and Use Tax License (30 days) (Comptroller of Maryland): A vendor contacts the Comptroller's temporary license desk with the event date, name and location plus business details, then collects Maryland sales and use tax on event sales. Vendors at three or more events a year should register for a permanent license through Maryland Tax Connect. Flea market sales are taxable (Business Tax Tip #14) (Comptroller of Maryland): The Comptroller says flea market sales are taxable like any other sale and a vendor must first get a license, either a 30-day permit or a permanent license through the Combined Registration Application. The 6 percent rate is a single statewide rate with no local sales taxes, and vendors must display their license where sales are made. 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 Calvert County?

Temporary Food Service Facility Permit (Calvert County Health Department, Division of Environmental Health): Vendors submit the application packet to the Health Department, which will not accept incomplete packets. Without a valid permit a vendor cannot serve food at the event. The permit fee rises as the event gets closer.

How far ahead should I apply in Calvert County?

Special Event Permit: At least 60 days before the event; 6 months for High Impact Events (road closure of 12 hours or more, or 2,000 or more expected) Temporary Food Service Facility Permit: Application packet at least 10 calendar days before the event

Keep reading.

Permits in Annapolis, MDPermits in Anne Arundel County, MDPermits in Baltimore, MDPermits in Baltimore County, MDPermits in Bowie, MDPermits in Carroll County, MDMaryland state rules: sales tax and cottage foodPermit checklist for Calvert CountyWhat 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: Calvert County Parks and Recreation, 410-535-1600 ext. 2649, events@calvertcountymd.gov

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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