Permits: Chesapeake, VA

Running a vendor market in Chesapeake.

To run a vendor market in Chesapeake, the organizer applies for an Outdoor Special Event Permit from Parks, Recreation and Tourism, required on private property above 500 attendees or for bazaars with food concessions. Vendors need a Chesapeake business license and a Virginia sales tax account or ST-50, and food vendors need a Virginia Department of Health temporary food permit.

Updated October 10, 2026

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For the organizer

Event permit.

Outdoor Special Event Permit

The organizer submits the city's application with a site plan; city and state departments (Revenue, Fire, Police, Public Works, Health) review it. The city acts within 15 business days of getting everything it asked for.

Who: Organizer
From: City of Chesapeake Parks, Recreation and Tourism (Special Events Coordination Office)
When: On public or private property when more than 500 people are expected on private property, or for carnivals, bazaars and similar public events with food concessions, amusements or amplified live entertainment. Park events with 500 or more people, tents or stages, food concessions, amplified sound or alcohol also need one. The city lists exceptions such as an established business operating outside at its own permanent address.
Fee: Non-refundable administrative fee that may be billed: $28.20 for events on public (non-park) or private property; $0 in city parks (park rental fees apply); $10 for a block party or event using streets or sidewalks without a closure; $100 with road closures
Timing: 30 days before for attendance of 499 or less; 60 days for 500 to 1,000; 90 days for over 1,000 or a major road closure

Official page

For the organizer

Parks and public space.

Park Use and Shelter Rental Application

The city links a separate park use and shelter rental application and says park fees apply on top of the event permit. The city's 2017 guidebook adds that a public event in a park must be produced by a non-profit organization and that organizers should reserve early.

Who: Organizer
From: City of Chesapeake Parks, Recreation and Tourism
When: Events in a city park, which need a park reservation in addition to the outdoor event permit

Official page

For the organizer

Fire safety, tents and cooking.

Fire Code guidelines for cooking vendors with tents

Cooking tents need a flame-retardant certificate, propane must sit at least 10 feet from tents, generators 20 feet away, and each tent needs a fire extinguisher. Open flames and flammable liquid storage under tents are not allowed, and trailers or food trucks should contact the Fire Marshal for inspection before use.

Who: Vendors
From: Chesapeake Fire Marshal's Office (Community Risk Reduction Division)
When: Food vendors cooking under tents at events

Official page

For the organizer

Other rules.

Event insurance and alcohol

The guidebook asks for property damage and bodily injury coverage of at least $1,000,000 combined single limit, or the amount Risk Management sets, with the City as additional insured. Serving alcohol adds host liquor coverage and a Virginia ABC banquet license, and alcohol is generally not allowed on city property.

Who: Organizer
From: City of Chesapeake (Risk Management); Virginia ABC for alcohol
When: Events on public property; alcohol served at the event

Official page

For your vendors

Vendor and business licenses.

City of Chesapeake business license (BPOL)

The city says every business must buy a license before operating, with most taxes based on gross receipts. The event guidebook states merchandise, food and beverage vendors must hold a valid Chesapeake business license and/or meet the tax requirements, and tells organizers to contact the Commissioner of the Revenue.

Who: Vendors
From: Chesapeake Commissioner of the Revenue, Business Tax Section
When: Merchandise, food and beverage vendors selling at an event in the city

Official page

For your vendors

Sales tax.

Temporary Sales Tax Certificate/Return (Form ST-50)

Event vendors without a Virginia account report and pay the tax on the ST-50 return, due by the 20th of the month after the event. A seller who attends 3 or more shows a year must instead register for a permanent sales tax account.

Who: Vendors
From: Virginia Department of Taxation (Virginia Tax)
When: Vendors at a show or event who are not permanently registered for Virginia sales tax; sellers at fairs and flea markets cannot rely on the occasional sale exemption

Official page

For your vendors

Food vendors.

Temporary Food Establishment permit

Each vendor submits the TFE application and fee to the local health department; the event coordinator submits an Event Coordinator Application listing dates, vendor count and toilets and handwash stations provided. The city's event guidebook says a permit may be required for each food vendor.

Who: Organizer and vendors
From: Virginia Department of Health, Chesapeake Health Department (Environmental Health)
When: Food vendors at temporary events, unless they hold a permanent VDH food permit or qualify for an exemption (such as farmers market vendors selling only their own farm products)
Fee: $40 application fee
Timing: At least 10 calendar days before the event

Official page

Organizer duty

What the rules ask of organizers about vendors.

Virginia sales tax rules for fairs and flea markets say the Department of Taxation may authorize a sponsor or operator to remit the tax collected by the vendors at the event; an operator who wants that arrangement must apply to the Department in writing. The rule does not require a vendor list.

Official page

Timeline

When to apply.

Outdoor Special Event Permit: 30 days before for attendance of 499 or less; 60 days for 500 to 1,000; 90 days for over 1,000 or a major road closure
Temporary Food Establishment permit: 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 Chesapeake, VA?

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 ST-50 PDF read for this page is the version for events on or after October 1, 2020 (revision 03/20). Virginia Tax may publish a newer version, and regional tax rates have changed, so check current rates before quoting any. No rates are listed here. Virginia Tax's sales tax rule for fairs and flea markets: https://law.lis.virginia.gov/admincode/title23/agency10/chapter210/section570/
Sources conflict on the food permit: the VDH statewide page states a $40 fee and a 10 calendar day deadline, while the city-hosted Chesapeake Health Department handout (undated) says an application 72 hours ahead and a $20 annual fee per event, and the 2017 guidebook says 10 business days. This page uses the VDH state page as the current figure; confirm with the Chesapeake Health Department, 757-382-8600.
The permit application PDF says 'Last Updated: 3/7/2014' and the guidebook is dated May 2017, so the administrative fees and deadlines may have changed; confirm with the Events Coordinator, 757-382-6411, events@cityofchesapeake.net.
No official page read says whether a one-day vendor at an event needs a full Chesapeake business license or a lighter temporary license; call the Commissioner of the Revenue Business Tax Section, 757-382-6738. The city's own policy treats peddlers and itinerant merchants as flat-tax businesses.
Chesapeake is an independent city (no county government). Organizers charging admission must also register with the Commissioner of the Revenue, per the guidebook.

Questions

Common questions.

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

Outdoor Special Event Permit (City of Chesapeake Parks, Recreation and Tourism (Special Events Coordination Office)): The organizer submits the city's application with a site plan; city and state departments (Revenue, Fire, Police, Public Works, Health) review it. The city acts within 15 business days of getting everything it asked for. Park Use and Shelter Rental Application (City of Chesapeake Parks, Recreation and Tourism): The city links a separate park use and shelter rental application and says park fees apply on top of the event permit. The city's 2017 guidebook adds that a public event in a park must be produced by a non-profit organization and that organizers should reserve early.

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

City of Chesapeake business license (BPOL) (Chesapeake Commissioner of the Revenue, Business Tax Section): The city says every business must buy a license before operating, with most taxes based on gross receipts. The event guidebook states merchandise, food and beverage vendors must hold a valid Chesapeake business license and/or meet the tax requirements, and tells organizers to contact the Commissioner of the Revenue.

Who handles sales tax at a market in Chesapeake?

Temporary Sales Tax Certificate/Return (Form ST-50) (Virginia Department of Taxation (Virginia Tax)): Event vendors without a Virginia account report and pay the tax on the ST-50 return, due by the 20th of the month after the event. A seller who attends 3 or more shows a year must instead register for a permanent sales tax account. For organizers: Virginia sales tax rules for fairs and flea markets say the Department of Taxation may authorize a sponsor or operator to remit the tax collected by the vendors at the event; an operator who wants that arrangement must apply to the Department in writing. The rule does not require a vendor list.

Do food vendors need a separate permit in Chesapeake?

Temporary Food Establishment permit (Virginia Department of Health, Chesapeake Health Department (Environmental Health)): Each vendor submits the TFE application and fee to the local health department; the event coordinator submits an Event Coordinator Application listing dates, vendor count and toilets and handwash stations provided. The city's event guidebook says a permit may be required for each food vendor.

How far ahead should I apply in Chesapeake?

Outdoor Special Event Permit: 30 days before for attendance of 499 or less; 60 days for 500 to 1,000; 90 days for over 1,000 or a major road closure Temporary Food Establishment permit: At least 10 calendar days before the event

Keep reading.

Permits in Alexandria, VAPermits in Arlington County, VAPermits in Fairfax (City), VAPermits in Fairfax County, VAPermits in Falls Church, VAPermits in Fauquier County, VAVirginia state rules: sales tax and cottage foodPermit checklist for ChesapeakeWhat 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: 757-382-6411 (events@cityofchesapeake.net)

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.

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