Running a vendor market in Columbia.
In Columbia, SC, event organizers start with the city's online special event request and the applicable permit forms (Special Event Permit, street closure, fire, police), with liability insurance naming the city. Vendors deal with City Business Licensing and an SC Department of Revenue Retail License, and food vendors need Department of Agriculture event authorization.
Updated
Event permit.
Special Event request and Special Event Permit
Organizers start with the online special event request form, then complete whichever city forms apply: Special Event Permit, Street Closure Request, Parks and Recreation Event, Fire Department Request, Police Department Request or Mobile Stage. The city publishes a planning flow chart and a service fee chart; their contents were not read.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- City of Columbia Special Event Services
- When
- Festivals, parades, concerts and other special events in the City of Columbia
Other rules.
Event liability insurance
The sponsor gives the Special Events Coordinator a policy naming the City of Columbia as additional insured 10 days before the event. Festivals and major events need $1,000,000 general liability with $2,000,000 aggregate; races, walks and parades need $1,000,000 and $1,000,000 aggregate; liquor liability of $1,000,000 applies if alcohol is served.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- City of Columbia Special Event Services
- When
- Sponsors of events using the city's special event process; neighborhood block parties need none
- Fee
- $1,000,000 general liability / $2,000,000 aggregate for festivals or major events
- Timing
- Copy of policy 10 days before the event
Vendor and business licenses.
Single Event Arts & Crafts permit and city business license
The Business Licensing Division has a one-page Single Event Arts & Crafts application asking for the applicant, business, event name, dates and address. Other businesses apply through the city self-service portal, and food sellers complete a Food Service Questionnaire.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- City of Columbia Business Licensing
- When
- Arts and crafts sellers at a single event in Columbia; other businesses use the standard city business license
- Fee
- $10.00 per event (Single Event Arts & Crafts permit)
Sales tax.
Retail License
Sellers register through MyDORWAY, collect the 6% statewide sales tax plus any local taxes, and file returns. SCDOR says selling without a valid license can bring fines up to $500 per occurrence. Unprepared food meant to be eaten at home is generally exempt from the state tax, while meals and drinks for immediate consumption are taxable.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- South Carolina Department of Revenue (SCDOR)
- When
- Anyone selling at a retail event (no admission fee), selling more than once in 24 months at a special event, or selling at one festival a year; one license per location
- Fee
- $50 non-refundable fee
Artist & Craftsman License
This license lets craft-show-only sellers collect the 6% statewide tax plus local taxes. Anyone who also sells elsewhere, including online, needs the Retail License instead, and sellers at no more than four shows a year of 11 consecutive days or less may need neither.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- South Carolina Department of Revenue (SCDOR)
- When
- Artists and crafters who sell only at craft shows and festivals, products they created or assembled, more than four times in a fiscal year
- Fee
- $20 non-refundable fee
Special Event Return (FC-1) and Special Event Affidavit (FS-152)
One-time special event sellers do not need a Retail License but must complete and submit the Special Event Return and Affidavit. SCDOR representatives provide the forms at the event; sellers who have not received them by the end of the event are told to email SCDOR.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- South Carolina Department of Revenue (SCDOR)
- When
- Vendors who sell at a Special Event (an event that charges admission) only once in a 24-month period
Food vendors.
Event authorization for temporary food service establishments
SCDA authorizes food vendors at events through the event coordinator, who completes the Event Authorization application listing the vendors and foods served, and receives SCDA authorization before food service begins. Vendors must follow Regulation 61-25 and SCDA may inspect during the event or order vendors to stop.
- Who
- Organizer and vendors
- From
- South Carolina Department of Agriculture (SCDA), Retail Food Safety
- When
- Food vendors at a fair, trade show or other transitory gathering, operating at a fixed location up to 14 consecutive days
- Timing
- Applications recommended 14 days in advance of the event
What the rules ask of organizers about vendors.
SCDOR asks promoters and hosts to email it a list of participating vendors (name, business name, address, phone, email and Retail License number if provided) plus the event location, date and time, and whether the event charges admission. Vendors selling without a valid Retail License can be fined, and SCDOR provides a Retail License verification tool.
When to apply.
- Event authorization for temporary food service establishments: Applications recommended 14 days in advance of the event
- Event liability insurance: Copy of policy 10 days before the event
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.
Selling at markets in Columbia, SC?
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.
Where the sources are unclear.
- SCDA's event authorization forms state no fee. The retail food safety pages and 2025-2026 forms read are SCDA's; older DHEC pages on temporary retail food establishments may still appear in search results, so use the SCDA forms.
- The SCDOR events page says the Retail License is needed if you sell at only one festival per year at a retail event; the Special Event Return route applies only to admission-charging special events.
- The city's fire tent permit page was not found; the special event page lists a Fire Department Request form. The planning flow chart and service fee chart were not read, so no event permit fees or lead times are stated. Special Events Coordinator: 803-545-3514; Business Licensing: 803-545-3345.
Common questions.
Do I need a permit to host a vendor market in Columbia?
Special Event request and Special Event Permit (City of Columbia Special Event Services): Organizers start with the online special event request form, then complete whichever city forms apply: Special Event Permit, Street Closure Request, Parks and Recreation Event, Fire Department Request, Police Department Request or Mobile Stage. The city publishes a planning flow chart and a service fee chart; their contents were not read.
Do vendors need a license to sell at events in Columbia?
Single Event Arts & Crafts permit and city business license (City of Columbia Business Licensing): The Business Licensing Division has a one-page Single Event Arts & Crafts application asking for the applicant, business, event name, dates and address. Other businesses apply through the city self-service portal, and food sellers complete a Food Service Questionnaire.
Who handles sales tax at a market in Columbia?
Retail License (South Carolina Department of Revenue (SCDOR)): Sellers register through MyDORWAY, collect the 6% statewide sales tax plus any local taxes, and file returns. SCDOR says selling without a valid license can bring fines up to $500 per occurrence. Unprepared food meant to be eaten at home is generally exempt from the state tax, while meals and drinks for immediate consumption are taxable. Artist & Craftsman License (South Carolina Department of Revenue (SCDOR)): This license lets craft-show-only sellers collect the 6% statewide tax plus local taxes. Anyone who also sells elsewhere, including online, needs the Retail License instead, and sellers at no more than four shows a year of 11 consecutive days or less may need neither. For organizers: SCDOR asks promoters and hosts to email it a list of participating vendors (name, business name, address, phone, email and Retail License number if provided) plus the event location, date and time, and whether the event charges admission. Vendors selling without a valid Retail License can be fined, and SCDOR provides a Retail License verification tool.
Do food vendors need a separate permit in Columbia?
Event authorization for temporary food service establishments (South Carolina Department of Agriculture (SCDA), Retail Food Safety): SCDA authorizes food vendors at events through the event coordinator, who completes the Event Authorization application listing the vendors and foods served, and receives SCDA authorization before food service begins. Vendors must follow Regulation 61-25 and SCDA may inspect during the event or order vendors to stop.
How far ahead should I apply in Columbia?
Event authorization for temporary food service establishments: Applications recommended 14 days in advance of the event Event liability insurance: Copy of policy 10 days before the event
Keep reading.
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: Columbia Special Events Coordinator, 803-545-3514
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.
- https://specialevents.columbiasc.gov/
- https://businesslicensing.columbiasc.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Fillable-Single-Event-Permit-Dec2025.pdf
- https://businesslicensing.columbiasc.gov/
- https://dor.sc.gov/tax-education/guides-flyers/events-festivals
- https://dor.sc.gov/businesses/apply-business-tax-account/licensing-retail-license
- https://agriculture.sc.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/RFEEventAuthorizationApplication2025.pdf
- https://agriculture.sc.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/TempFoodServiceEstab2026.pdf
Collect every vendor permit in one place.
bzar is free for organizers: vendor applications with required documents, booth payments, tickets and check-in in one dashboard.