Running a vendor market in Des Moines.
For a Des Moines vendor market, the organizer applies for a Street Use Permit through the city portal for street events, or a park permit at least 10 days ahead. The Fire Department permits tents of 400 square feet or more. Food vendors need an Iowa DIAL temporary license, and vendors need an Iowa sales tax permit.
Updated
Event permit.
Street Use Permit (residential and non-residential)
Organizers apply through the city's self-service portal and use the posted instructions and forms. Residential street closures need a neighbor petition, and events with special hazards have their own packet.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- City of Des Moines, Event Street Use (City Manager's Office)
- When
- Events held on city streets; the city also posts separate farmers market, special hazard event and temporary power documents
Parks and public space.
Park permit
Parks and Recreation requires a permit under those conditions so it can prevent conflicts and prepare the site.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- City of Des Moines Parks and Recreation
- When
- Events in a city park that use amplified sound, bring in equipment, are advertised, affect normal park use, or collect admission or sell items
- Timing
- Reservations must be made at least 10 days before the event and up to 365 days ahead
Fire safety, tents and cooking.
Tent permit and outdoor event fire safety rules
Tent permits come from the Fire Prevention Bureau before the event and need a flame-resistance certificate. Each vendor needs its own tagged extinguishers (plus a Class K if frying), cooking must be 30 feet from generators and vehicles, and each booth is limited to 50 gallons aggregate of LP-gas.
- Who
- Organizer and vendors
- From
- Des Moines Fire Department, Fire Prevention Bureau
- When
- A tent or connected tents of 400 sq ft or more with sides, or 700 sq ft or more without sides; vendors using propane or cooking
Vendor and business licenses.
Transient Merchant License / Mobile Food Vendor License
The Clerk issues Transient Merchant, Mobile Food Vendor, Peddler and Premise permits. The page does not say whether booth vendors inside a permitted market need a Transient Merchant License, so confirm with the Clerk's Office.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- City of Des Moines City Clerk's Office
- When
- Food or non-food sellers operating as transient merchants, and food trucks or trailers; a transient merchant may only locate on a property with a current Premise Permit
Sales tax.
Iowa sales tax permit (no temporary permits)
Iowa issues no temporary tax permits, so vendors need a permanent permit and give the event sponsor their name, address and permit number. Exhibitors who only display products and do not sell need no permit.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- Iowa Department of Revenue
- When
- Vendors making taxable sales or providing taxable services at a temporary event such as a craft show.
- Fee
- Business tax permits are free of charge
Event sponsor registration on GovConnectIowa
The sponsor registers the event on GovConnectIowa and must identify all vendors making taxable sales at the event.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- Iowa Department of Revenue
- When
- Anyone who runs a show, flea market, roadside stand or event where vendors sell taxable products or services in Iowa.
- Timing
- Register within ten days of the event being held
Food vendors.
Temporary food establishment license
DIAL issues single-event licenses (events of 14 days or fewer) and annual licenses, which must be obtained before setting up, plus an event registration for events with more than 10 food vendors other than fairs and farmers markets. Vendors without proper licensing must stop serving and pay a double fee.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, & Licensing (DIAL)
- When
- Vendors operating away from a licensed food establishment, or serving unpackaged food or beverages or temperature-controlled packaged food, at fairs, festivals and vendor shows.
- Fee
- $50 Event Registration & Single Event Temporary License; $200 Annual Temporary License
- Timing
- Event registration should be submitted at least 60 days prior to the event; single-event and annual licenses at least 30 days prior
What the rules ask of organizers about vendors.
Iowa treats anyone who runs a show, flea market, roadside stand or similar event with taxable vendor sales as an event sponsor. The sponsor registers the event on GovConnectIowa within ten days of the event being held and must identify all vendors making taxable sales, under Iowa Code section 423.33(3).
When to apply.
- Park permit: Reservations must be made at least 10 days before the event and up to 365 days ahead
- Event sponsor registration on GovConnectIowa: Register within ten days of the event being held
- Temporary food establishment license: Event registration should be submitted at least 60 days prior to the event; single-event and annual licenses at least 30 days prior
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 Des Moines, IA?
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.
- The Iowa Department of Revenue does not issue temporary sales tax permits; vendors need a regular permit and the event sponsor registers the event (see the state-level requirements).
- The non-residential street use application and farmers market application are listed on the Event Street Use page but their text was not readable, so fees and lead times for street use permits are not recorded.
- The Des Moines Business Licenses page also lists alcohol licenses that must be applied for at least 45 days ahead; the state hub notes alcohol is licensed through the Iowa Department of Revenue.
- Whether Polk County Public Health handles temporary food inspections inside Des Moines was not confirmed; the DIAL page issues the license, so contact DIAL Food Licensing (515-725-5342).
Common questions.
Do I need a permit to host a vendor market in Des Moines?
Street Use Permit (residential and non-residential) (City of Des Moines, Event Street Use (City Manager's Office)): Organizers apply through the city's self-service portal and use the posted instructions and forms. Residential street closures need a neighbor petition, and events with special hazards have their own packet. Park permit (City of Des Moines Parks and Recreation): Parks and Recreation requires a permit under those conditions so it can prevent conflicts and prepare the site.
Do vendors need a license to sell at events in Des Moines?
Transient Merchant License / Mobile Food Vendor License (City of Des Moines City Clerk's Office): The Clerk issues Transient Merchant, Mobile Food Vendor, Peddler and Premise permits. The page does not say whether booth vendors inside a permitted market need a Transient Merchant License, so confirm with the Clerk's Office.
Who handles sales tax at a market in Des Moines?
Iowa sales tax permit (no temporary permits) (Iowa Department of Revenue): Iowa issues no temporary tax permits, so vendors need a permanent permit and give the event sponsor their name, address and permit number. Exhibitors who only display products and do not sell need no permit. Event sponsor registration on GovConnectIowa (Iowa Department of Revenue): The sponsor registers the event on GovConnectIowa and must identify all vendors making taxable sales at the event. For organizers: Iowa treats anyone who runs a show, flea market, roadside stand or similar event with taxable vendor sales as an event sponsor. The sponsor registers the event on GovConnectIowa within ten days of the event being held and must identify all vendors making taxable sales, under Iowa Code section 423.33(3).
Do food vendors need a separate permit in Des Moines?
Temporary food establishment license (Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, & Licensing (DIAL)): DIAL issues single-event licenses (events of 14 days or fewer) and annual licenses, which must be obtained before setting up, plus an event registration for events with more than 10 food vendors other than fairs and farmers markets. Vendors without proper licensing must stop serving and pay a double fee.
How far ahead should I apply in Des Moines?
Park permit: Reservations must be made at least 10 days before the event and up to 365 days ahead Event sponsor registration on GovConnectIowa: Register within ten days of the event being held Temporary food establishment license: Event registration should be submitted at least 60 days prior to the event; single-event and annual licenses at least 30 days prior
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: Event Street Use, StreetUse@dmgov.org; City Clerk's Office, 515-283-4209
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://www.dsm.city/departments/city_manager/event_street_use.php
- https://www.dsm.city/departments/parks_recreation/rentals_and_permits/index.php
- https://www.dsm.city/departments/fire/special_and_outdoor_events.php
- https://www.dsm.city/Documents/Departments/Fire/Events%20Mobile%20Vendors/Outdoor%20Events%20Fire%20Safety%20Guide%20%E2%80%94%20Des%20Moines%20Fire%20Department%202026.pdf?t=202609241131380
- https://www.dsm.city/departments/city_clerk/business_licenses_permits.php
- https://revenue.iowa.gov/taxes/tax-guidance/sales-use-excise-tax/special-events-tax-permits
- https://revenue.iowa.gov/permits-licensing/business-permit-registration
- https://dial.iowa.gov/licenses/food-establishments-hotels/temporary-food-establishments-events
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.