# Vendor event permits in Glendale, CA

In Glendale, CA, organizers of events on city property such as parks, streets or sidewalks apply for a Special Event Permit through the GlendalePermits portal. Vendors selling taxable goods need a California seller's permit or temporary seller's permit, and events with food need Los Angeles County Public Health permits. Ask the city about business registration for visiting vendors.

_Sources checked 2026-10-11. Not legal or tax advice; confirm with each agency._

## For the organizer: Event permit

### Special Event Permit
Organizers apply through the GlendalePermits portal by creating an account and searching for Special Event Permit under the Apply tab. The page does not list fees or lead times and does not address events on private property.
- Who: organizer
- From: City of Glendale Filming & Special Events Office
- When: Events that use city property, including parks, streets and sidewalks (examples listed include farmers' markets, food truck events, block parties and parking lot sales)
- Official page: https://www.glendaleca.gov/government/departments/office-of-the-city-manager/special-events

## For vendors: Vendor and business licenses

### Business Registration Certificate (generally not required without a physical space in Glendale)
Glendale requires a Business Registration Certificate for every business located in the city, but tells businesses with no physical office, retail or industrial space in Glendale not to apply. A visiting craft or product vendor at a market therefore generally falls outside it, though the city does not address pop-up market booths by name.
- Who: vendors
- From: City of Glendale Community Development, Neighborhood Services Licensing
- When: Vendors with no physical office, retail or industrial space in Glendale. The page lists motor-vehicle and sidewalk vendors as still needing a certificate, and does not mention temporary event or market booths specifically.
- Fee: $363 initial fee and $121 annual renewal (for businesses that do need a certificate)
- Official page: https://www.glendaleca.gov/government/departments/community-development/licenses-permits-and-applications/license-and-permit-applications/business-registration-certificate

## For vendors: Sales tax

### Seller's permit or temporary seller's permit
A temporary seller's permit covers one selling location for 90 days or less, with start and end dates entered when registering online. Some sellers are exempt, such as those selling only exempt food products and occasional sellers.
- Who: vendors
- From: California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA)
- When: Vendors making retail sales of taxable goods at a market; generally three or more taxable sales within 12 months at a location open for less than 90 days
- Fee: Free
- Timing: You may obtain a temporary seller's permit 90 days prior to your business start date
- Official page: https://cdtfa.ca.gov/industry/temporary-sellers/

### Seller information for the event operator
Sellers of new or used goods, including handcrafted items, generally hold a seller's permit, and a seller with an existing permit still registers a sub-permit for the temporary location. Sellers give the event operator their business details and permit number in writing, and CDTFA offers form CDTFA-410-D for this.
- Who: vendors
- From: California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA)
- When: Sellers at swap meets, flea markets and special events
- Official page: https://cdtfa.ca.gov/formspubs/pub111/sellers-and-vendors.htm

## For vendors: Food vendors

### Community Event Organizer permit and Temporary Food Facility permits
Each food booth needs its own Temporary Food Facility permit, and food trucks need a valid county permit. Applications and questions go to communityevents@ph.lacounty.gov or (626) 430-5320. The county page names Long Beach, Pasadena and Vernon as cities with their own programs.
- Who: organizer and vendors
- From: Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Environmental Health Division (Community Events Program)
- When: Public events with food or free samples: the organizer needs a permit when there are 2 or more food booths or 3 or more food trucks; private invitation-only events do not need a health permit
- Timing: Applications are due 30 days before the event; those under 14 calendar days out are late and add 25% of the permit fee or $50, whichever is greater
- Official page: https://publichealth.lacounty.gov/eh/business/community-events.htm

## What the rules ask of organizers about vendors

Under CDTFA Publication 111, operators of swap meets, flea markets and special events may not rent space to a seller until they verify the seller holds a valid seller's permit, unless an exemption applies. Operators collect each seller's business name, address, phone, ID, items sold and permit number in writing, keep the records at least four years, and give them to CDTFA within 30 days of a written request. The page warns of a penalty of up to $1,000 per seller for missing records. (https://cdtfa.ca.gov/formspubs/pub111/)

## Where the sources are unclear

- Blocked for automated fetchers (HTTP 403): https://www.glendaleca.gov/government/departments/community-development/neighborhood-services/licensing and https://www.glendaleca.gov/government/departments/fire-department/fire-prevention/inspections/fire-permits; the Business Registration Certificate page was read in a browser.
- The LA County page lists Long Beach, Pasadena and Vernon as cities with their own health programs and does not name Glendale; the county program is assumed to cover Glendale. Confirm with the Community Events Program at (626) 430-5320.
- Glendale's Business Registration Certificate page does not describe visiting vendors at a temporary event, so the entry above reflects only its general no-physical-space exemption; confirm with Neighborhood Services Licensing at (818) 937-8300. Special Events Office: 818-548-4844 option 1.

## Questions

**Do I need a permit to host a vendor market in Glendale?**

Special Event Permit (City of Glendale Filming & Special Events Office): Organizers apply through the GlendalePermits portal by creating an account and searching for Special Event Permit under the Apply tab. The page does not list fees or lead times and does not address events on private property.

**Do vendors need a license to sell at events in Glendale?**

Business Registration Certificate (generally not required without a physical space in Glendale) (City of Glendale Community Development, Neighborhood Services Licensing): Glendale requires a Business Registration Certificate for every business located in the city, but tells businesses with no physical office, retail or industrial space in Glendale not to apply. A visiting craft or product vendor at a market therefore generally falls outside it, though the city does not address pop-up market booths by name.

**Who handles sales tax at a market in Glendale?**

Seller's permit or temporary seller's permit (California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA)): A temporary seller's permit covers one selling location for 90 days or less, with start and end dates entered when registering online. Some sellers are exempt, such as those selling only exempt food products and occasional sellers. Seller information for the event operator (California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA)): Sellers of new or used goods, including handcrafted items, generally hold a seller's permit, and a seller with an existing permit still registers a sub-permit for the temporary location. Sellers give the event operator their business details and permit number in writing, and CDTFA offers form CDTFA-410-D for this. For organizers: Under CDTFA Publication 111, operators of swap meets, flea markets and special events may not rent space to a seller until they verify the seller holds a valid seller's permit, unless an exemption applies. Operators collect each seller's business name, address, phone, ID, items sold and permit number in writing, keep the records at least four years, and give them to CDTFA within 30 days of a written request. The page warns of a penalty of up to $1,000 per seller for missing records.

**Do food vendors need a separate permit in Glendale?**

Community Event Organizer permit and Temporary Food Facility permits (Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Environmental Health Division (Community Events Program)): Each food booth needs its own Temporary Food Facility permit, and food trucks need a valid county permit. Applications and questions go to communityevents@ph.lacounty.gov or (626) 430-5320. The county page names Long Beach, Pasadena and Vernon as cities with their own programs.

**How far ahead should I apply in Glendale?**

Seller's permit or temporary seller's permit: You may obtain a temporary seller's permit 90 days prior to your business start date Community Event Organizer permit and Temporary Food Facility permits: Applications are due 30 days before the event; those under 14 calendar days out are late and add 25% of the permit fee or $50, whichever is greater

## Sources

- https://www.glendaleca.gov/government/departments/office-of-the-city-manager/special-events
- https://cdtfa.ca.gov/industry/temporary-sellers/
- https://cdtfa.ca.gov/formspubs/pub111/sellers-and-vendors.htm
- https://publichealth.lacounty.gov/eh/business/community-events.htm
- https://www.glendaleca.gov/government/departments/community-development/licenses-permits-and-applications/license-and-permit-applications/business-registration-certificate
- https://cdtfa.ca.gov/formspubs/pub111/

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