# Vendor event permits in Fairfax (City), VA

In the City of Fairfax, VA, a special events permit from Parks and Recreation is required at least 90 business days ahead, and Zoning issues a Temporary Use Permit for temporary events. Food vendors need a Fairfax County Health Department temporary food permit, vendors report Virginia sales tax, and sellers need City licensing. Confirm with each office.

_Sources checked 2026-10-10. Not legal or tax advice; confirm with each agency._

## For the organizer: Event permit

### Special Events Permit
The organizer submits a complete application with the non-refundable fee and an emergency action plan with proof of insurance. Submitting does not guarantee approval, and the City may charge for police, fire or public works services.
- Who: organizer
- From: City of Fairfax Parks and Recreation
- When: Special events such as fairs, festivals, concerts, shows, sales and carnivals; the page also lists City outdoor venues (Veteran's Amphitheater, Old Town Square) available to rent
- Fee: $50 for non-profits and $100 for for-profit/business groups (application fee, no venue); venue rental is extra: $100 for the first 2 hours plus $25 per additional hour
- Timing: No later than 90 business days prior to the event
- Official page: https://www.fairfaxva.gov/Fun-Facilities/Events/Special-Events

### Special Events - Temporary Use Permit
This zoning permit allows an event of not more than 10 days in a six-month period and is applied for through the City's permit portal. The page itself does not state a fee, but the City's FY 2026 fee schedule lists a nonresidential Temporary Use Permit.
- Who: organizer
- From: City of Fairfax Planning/Zoning (Community Development and Planning)
- When: Temporary special events such as car shows, carnivals, circuses, festivals, fairs and fireworks shows; the page does not say whether it applies only to private property
- Fee: $210.00 each (Temporary Use Permit, Nonresidential, per the FY 2026 adopted schedule of rates and levies)
- Official page: https://www.fairfaxva.gov/Property-Business/Permit-License-Hub/Permit-Applications/Special-Events-Temporary-Use-Permit

## For the organizer: Fire safety, tents and cooking

### Fire Prevention Code (FPC) Permit
The City requires an FPC permit when a Fire Marshal inspection is performed. The application is a PDF form, and the page points event organizers to Code Administration for specifics on tents and other event hazards.
- Who: organizer
- From: City of Fairfax Code Administration / Fire Marshal's Office
- When: Activities that require a Fire Marshal inspection; the page does not list tents, cooking, propane or generators specifically
- Official page: https://www.fairfaxva.gov/Property-Business/Permit-License-Hub/Permit-Applications/Fire-Prevention-Code-FPC-Permit

## For vendors: Vendor and business licenses

### Non-Charitable Canvassing, Peddling or Soliciting Permit
The City says this permit is required to sell merchandise from temporary stalls. Applicants submit a Solicitor Permit Application (PDF on the page) to the Police Department, which lists 703-385-7924. The page does not state a fee; the City's fee schedule shows a peddler's license figure.
- Who: vendors
- From: City of Fairfax Police Department
- When: Door-to-door sales, event promotion, or selling merchandise from temporary stalls within City limits; charitable organizations, religious institutions and political parties are excluded
- Fee: Not stated on the permit page; the FY 2026 schedule lists Peddler's License at $20.00 per year (see notes for a conflicting $30 figure)
- Official page: https://www.fairfaxva.gov/Property-Business/Permit-License-Hub/Permit-Applications/Non-Charitable-Canvassing-Peddling-or-Soliciting-Permit

### Business License (BPOL)
New businesses apply within 30 days of starting operations, and licenses expire December 31 with renewal due by March 1. The FY 2026 rate schedule charges nothing under $10,000 in prior-year gross receipts, retail sales are taxed per $100 of receipts with a $30 minimum, and peddlers, solicitors and itinerant merchants pay a flat fee.
- Who: vendors
- From: City of Fairfax Commissioner of the Revenue
- When: Every person operating a business, profession or trade in the City; the City pages do not address event-only or itinerant sellers directly
- Fee: Retail sales: $0.20 per $100 gross receipts, $30 minimum; Peddlers, Solicitors & Itinerant Merchants: $30.00 flat fee per calendar year or part thereof; no tax if gross receipts are under $10,000
- Official page: https://www.fairfaxva.gov/Property-Business/Permit-License-Hub/Permit-Applications/Business-Licenses

## For vendors: Sales tax

### Temporary Sales Tax Certificate/Return (Form ST-50)
Occasional sellers report and pay the sales tax they collected at an event on Form ST-50, due by the 20th of the month after the event. The form tells sellers who attend 3 or more shows a year to register for a permanent Virginia sales tax account. The rate is 6% in the Northern Virginia localities it lists, and the extra regional 0.7% is not charged on food bought for human consumption.
- Who: vendors
- From: Virginia Department of Taxation
- When: Vendors without a permanent Virginia sales tax account who sell taxable goods at an event
- Official page: https://www.tax.virginia.gov/sites/default/files/taxforms/retail-sales-and-use/any/st-50-any.pdf

## For vendors: Food vendors

### Temporary Food Establishment Permit (TFEP)
The event coordinator registers the event in the county's PLUS portal and lists the participating food vendors with a layout map showing toilets and waste disposal. Each vendor then applies online and is subject to inspection; the county's packet says it assesses a one-time $40 fee per vendor that is valid for the calendar year. Permitted Fairfax County restaurants pay no additional application fee.
- Who: organizer and vendors
- From: Fairfax County Health Department, Environmental Health Services
- When: Vendors preparing and serving food at a temporary event in the City of Fairfax, which the Fairfax County Health Department covers; events of up to 14 consecutive days
- Fee: $40 one-time fee per vendor, valid for the entire calendar year within Virginia (per the Health Department's requirements packet)
- Timing: The completed application and fee must be received at least ten (10) days prior to the event
- Official page: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/health/permits/temporary-food-establishment

## Where the sources are unclear

- Peddler's license fee conflict: the FY 2026 adopted schedule lists a 'Peddlers, Solicitors & Itinerant Merchants' business license flat fee of $30.00 per calendar year and, separately, a 'Peddler's License' of $20.00 per year. Confirm which applies with the Commissioner of the Revenue or the Police Department (703-385-7924).
- The City fee schedule (a budget document, not a permit page) also lists a 4.00% Meals Tax on all meals; ask the Commissioner of the Revenue how it applies to food vendors at events.
- The Health Department packet (https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/health/sites/health/files/assets/documents/pdf/temporaryeventguidelines43.2.pdf) says Fairfax County Health Department permits cover temporary events in Fairfax County, the City of Fairfax and Falls Church.
- No official page found for a City of Fairfax promoter duty about vendor sales tax lists as of 2026-10-10; ask the City Commissioner of the Revenue.
- The Temporary Use Permit page does not state a lead time or whether it covers public property; ask Zoning at zoning@fairfaxva.gov or 703-385-7820.
- Event-count threshold: the ST-50 form says sellers at 3 or more shows a year must register for a permanent account, while Virginia Tax's festival-season vendor tips page (https://www.tax.virginia.gov/news/vendor-tips-fall-festival-season) says sellers at 3 or fewer events can use ST-50 and sellers at more than 3 events must register. Confirm with Virginia Tax at (804) 367-8037.
- A 1992 Virginia Tax Commissioner ruling (https://www.tax.virginia.gov/laws-rules-decisions/rulings-tax-commissioner/92-91) says an event organizer may obtain a single temporary sales tax registration covering all sellers at the event; this is an option, not a requirement, and the ruling is old, so confirm with Virginia Tax.
- The Special Events page requires proof of insurance and an emergency action plan but does not state an insurance minimum; ask Special Events at Specialevents@fairfaxva.gov.

## Questions

**Do I need a permit to host a vendor market in Fairfax (City)?**

Special Events Permit (City of Fairfax Parks and Recreation): The organizer submits a complete application with the non-refundable fee and an emergency action plan with proof of insurance. Submitting does not guarantee approval, and the City may charge for police, fire or public works services. Special Events - Temporary Use Permit (City of Fairfax Planning/Zoning (Community Development and Planning)): This zoning permit allows an event of not more than 10 days in a six-month period and is applied for through the City's permit portal. The page itself does not state a fee, but the City's FY 2026 fee schedule lists a nonresidential Temporary Use Permit.

**Do vendors need a license to sell at events in Fairfax (City)?**

Non-Charitable Canvassing, Peddling or Soliciting Permit (City of Fairfax Police Department): The City says this permit is required to sell merchandise from temporary stalls. Applicants submit a Solicitor Permit Application (PDF on the page) to the Police Department, which lists 703-385-7924. The page does not state a fee; the City's fee schedule shows a peddler's license figure. Business License (BPOL) (City of Fairfax Commissioner of the Revenue): New businesses apply within 30 days of starting operations, and licenses expire December 31 with renewal due by March 1. The FY 2026 rate schedule charges nothing under $10,000 in prior-year gross receipts, retail sales are taxed per $100 of receipts with a $30 minimum, and peddlers, solicitors and itinerant merchants pay a flat fee.

**Who handles sales tax at a market in Fairfax (City)?**

Temporary Sales Tax Certificate/Return (Form ST-50) (Virginia Department of Taxation): Occasional sellers report and pay the sales tax they collected at an event on Form ST-50, due by the 20th of the month after the event. The form tells sellers who attend 3 or more shows a year to register for a permanent Virginia sales tax account. The rate is 6% in the Northern Virginia localities it lists, and the extra regional 0.7% is not charged on food bought for human consumption.

**Do food vendors need a separate permit in Fairfax (City)?**

Temporary Food Establishment Permit (TFEP) (Fairfax County Health Department, Environmental Health Services): The event coordinator registers the event in the county's PLUS portal and lists the participating food vendors with a layout map showing toilets and waste disposal. Each vendor then applies online and is subject to inspection; the county's packet says it assesses a one-time $40 fee per vendor that is valid for the calendar year. Permitted Fairfax County restaurants pay no additional application fee.

**How far ahead should I apply in Fairfax (City)?**

Special Events Permit: No later than 90 business days prior to the event Temporary Food Establishment Permit (TFEP): The completed application and fee must be received at least ten (10) days prior to the event

## Sources

- https://www.fairfaxva.gov/Fun-Facilities/Events/Special-Events
- https://www.fairfaxva.gov/files/assets/city/v/1/public-works/documents/stormwater/fy-2026-adopted-schedule-of-rates-levies.pdf
- https://www.fairfaxva.gov/Property-Business/Permit-License-Hub/Permit-Applications/Special-Events-Temporary-Use-Permit
- https://www.fairfaxva.gov/Property-Business/Permit-License-Hub/Permit-Applications/Fire-Prevention-Code-FPC-Permit
- https://www.fairfaxva.gov/Property-Business/Permit-License-Hub/Permit-Applications/Non-Charitable-Canvassing-Peddling-or-Soliciting-Permit
- https://www.fairfaxva.gov/Property-Business/Permit-License-Hub/Permit-Applications/Business-Licenses
- https://www.tax.virginia.gov/sites/default/files/taxforms/retail-sales-and-use/any/st-50-any.pdf
- https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/health/permits/temporary-food-establishment
- https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/health/sites/health/files/assets/documents/pdf/temporaryeventguidelines43.2.pdf

All cities: https://bzar.app/permits