Running a vendor market in Detroit.
To run a vendor market in Detroit, an organizer with a public event applies to the Mayor's Office Special Events Management Team at least 60 days ahead and needs City Council approval. Food vendors need a Detroit Health Department temporary food license, and vendors need a Michigan sales tax license or concessionaire return and may need a city Vendor license.
Updated
Event permit.
Special Event Application (City Council approval)
A special event needs the online application, sign-off from city departments and City Council approval, after which the organizer secures each required permit and pays fees. The city advises against publicizing or selling tickets before Council approves.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- City of Detroit Mayor's Office, Special Events Management Team
- When
- Festivals, outdoor events open to the public, events that affect city services, and events that close any right-of-way. Invite-only private-property events, family picnics and block parties are 'permitted events' that skip the application but may still need department permits and police precinct notice.
- Timing
- Submit at least 60 days before the event; later applications are subject to automatic denial
Vendor and business licenses.
Vendor license (selling goods from vehicles, carts or on foot)
Detroit's business licensing process starts with state registration, tax IDs and zoning checks, then an online application for the license type that fits the business. Business License and Trade Permits staff can say whether a market booth vendor needs the Vendor license.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- City of Detroit Buildings, Safety Engineering, and Environmental Department (BSEED), Business Licensing
- When
- The city's business licensing page lists 'Vendor' as a license category for selling goods from vehicles, carts or on foot, applied for through the Accela/eLAPS portal. The page does not say whether booth vendors inside a permitted special event need it.
Sales tax.
Michigan sales tax license or Concessionaire's Sales Tax Return (Form 5089)
Retailers collect 6% sales tax. Vendors at more than two events a year must hold a sales tax license, which is registered through Form 518 and available online once processed. Sellers can start selling before the license arrives but must remit tax from their first sale.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- Michigan Department of Treasury
- When
- Anyone selling tangible goods to final consumers, including at events. Vendors at only one or two Michigan events a year can use Form 5089 instead.
- Fee
- No fee for a sales tax license
Food vendors.
Temporary food license
The Detroit Health Department issues the temporary license after an on-site inspection, and service to the public may begin only once it is granted. The page also links an event intake form for large event coordinators.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- Detroit Health Department, Food Safety Unit
- When
- A food establishment at a fixed location for a temporary period of no more than 14 consecutive days, such as a festival food booth. Commercially pre-packaged items like bagged chips or wrapped candy bars do not need this license, and home-prepared foods are not allowed at temporary food events.
- Fee
- $250 temporary license fee
- Timing
- Submit the application at least 10 days before the event to avoid additional late fees
When to apply.
- Special Event Application (City Council approval): Submit at least 60 days before the event; later applications are subject to automatic denial
- Temporary food license: Submit the application at least 10 days before the event to avoid additional late fees
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 Detroit, MI?
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.
- No official Michigan page read states a duty on event promoters regarding vendors' sales tax licenses.
- Detroit's Special Events pages did not state the fee schedule inline (a City of Detroit Fee Schedule PDF is linked) and the vendor license requirements PDFs could not be opened from the research tool; ask the Special Events Manager at (313) 269-7409 and Business License and Trade Permits at (313) 224-3179 for fees and whether booth vendors need the Vendor license. No Detroit page read covers park rental, fire rules or a general business license for out-of-city vendors.
Common questions.
Do I need a permit to host a vendor market in Detroit?
Special Event Application (City Council approval) (City of Detroit Mayor's Office, Special Events Management Team): A special event needs the online application, sign-off from city departments and City Council approval, after which the organizer secures each required permit and pays fees. The city advises against publicizing or selling tickets before Council approves.
Do vendors need a license to sell at events in Detroit?
Vendor license (selling goods from vehicles, carts or on foot) (City of Detroit Buildings, Safety Engineering, and Environmental Department (BSEED), Business Licensing): Detroit's business licensing process starts with state registration, tax IDs and zoning checks, then an online application for the license type that fits the business. Business License and Trade Permits staff can say whether a market booth vendor needs the Vendor license.
Who handles sales tax at a market in Detroit?
Michigan sales tax license or Concessionaire's Sales Tax Return (Form 5089) (Michigan Department of Treasury): Retailers collect 6% sales tax. Vendors at more than two events a year must hold a sales tax license, which is registered through Form 518 and available online once processed. Sellers can start selling before the license arrives but must remit tax from their first sale.
Do food vendors need a separate permit in Detroit?
Temporary food license (Detroit Health Department, Food Safety Unit): The Detroit Health Department issues the temporary license after an on-site inspection, and service to the public may begin only once it is granted. The page also links an event intake form for large event coordinators.
How far ahead should I apply in Detroit?
Special Event Application (City Council approval): Submit at least 60 days before the event; later applications are subject to automatic denial Temporary food license: Submit the application at least 10 days before the event to avoid additional late fees
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: Special Events Manager, Mayor's Office: (313) 269-7409
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.
- https://www.michigan.gov/taxes/business-taxes/sales-use-tax/information/sales-tax-license-faq
- https://detroitmi.gov/government/mayors-office/special-events
- https://detroitmi.gov/departments/buildings-safety-engineering-and-environmental-department-bseed/business-licensing
- https://detroitmi.gov/departments/detroit-health-department/programs-and-services/food-safety/dhd-temporary-events-and-licenses
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.