Permits: Hampton, VA

Running a vendor market in Hampton.

In Hampton, VA, outdoor events need a City Scale ($50) or Neighborhood Scale ($25) Special Event Permit, submitted 30 to 90 days ahead by attendance. Vendors need a business license from the Commissioner of the Revenue, food vendors pay $40 for a Virginia Department of Health temporary food permit, and vendors register for Virginia sales tax or file form ST-50.

Updated October 11, 2026

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For the organizer

Event permit.

Special Event Permit (Neighborhood Scale or City Scale)

Hampton regulates only outdoor events, with a tiered permit based on size and scope and a Special Event Guidebook to complete the application. The city says park shelter rentals do not need a special event permit.

Who: Organizer
From: City of Hampton Parks & Recreation (Special Event Coordinator, Public Safety)
When: Outdoor events only, on public or private property when the city's criteria are met. Neighborhood Scale: 250 or fewer attendees on specifically listed neighborhood lots; street closures, alcohol or mobile vendors push an event to City Scale. City Scale: over 250 attendees or a road closure.
Fee: City Scale $50; Neighborhood Scale $25 (free for registered neighborhood organizations)
Timing: 90 days before for City Scale events of 500+ attendees or with road closures; 60 days for 251-499 attendees; 30 days for Neighborhood Scale

Official page

For your vendors

Vendor and business licenses.

Hampton Business License

A business must obtain a license from the Commissioner of the Revenue before doing business in Hampton, and file and pay before its first day of business. Tax is generally based on gross receipts and varies by category; licenses expire December 31 and renew by March 1. The city also lists a New Temporary Food Vendor Application, which was not read.

Who: Vendors
From: City of Hampton Commissioner of the Revenue
When: New businesses before conducting business in Hampton; the page does not describe a temporary event vendor license

Official page

For your vendors

Sales tax.

Temporary Sales Tax Certificate/Return (Form ST-50)

The vendor collects sales tax at the rate of the locality where the event is held and files the ST-50 with payment by the 20th of the month after the event. The form lists a 5.3% general rate and 6% in the Northern Virginia, Hampton Roads and Central Virginia regions.

Who: Vendors
From: Virginia Department of Taxation (Virginia Tax)
When: Vendors without a permanent Virginia sales tax account who sell taxable goods at a show, fair or event
Timing: Return due on or before the 20th of the month following the show

Official page

Permanent sales tax account for frequent event sellers

Virginia Tax says vendors at more than three events a year must register a sales tax account, and seasonal sellers can register as a seasonal business so they file only for the months they sell. Registration is done online through Virginia Tax's business registration page.

Who: Vendors
From: Virginia Department of Taxation (Virginia Tax)
When: Vendors who sell at events regularly. Virginia Tax's festival-season page says more than 3 events a year; the ST-50 form says 3 or more shows a year

Official page

Fairs and flea markets are not "occasional sales" (23VAC10-210-570)

The regulation says sellers at fairs and flea markets must hold a certificate of registration and collect and remit tax, with no distinction between profit and nonprofit vendors, and they cannot use the occasional-sale exemption. It also lets the Department authorize a sponsor or operator to remit the tax for the vendors.

Who: Organizer and vendors
From: Virginia Department of Taxation (Virginia Tax)
When: Anyone selling tangible goods at a fair, flea market, carnival or circus, including nonprofits

Official page

For your vendors

Food vendors.

Temporary Food Establishment (TFE) permit

VDH issues the permit through the local health department where the booth operates, after a pre-operational inspection. Event coordinators can file an Event Coordinator Application telling the health department the dates, number of food vendors and water and wastewater arrangements.

Who: Organizer and vendors
From: Virginia Department of Health, Hampton & Peninsula Health Districts
When: Food vendors at a temporary event of no more than 14 consecutive days in Hampton; the district says anyone selling or distributing food to the public needs a temporary food permit
Fee: $40
Timing: Application and fee at least ten calendar days before the TFE operates (state page); the district page says at least 10 business days

Official page

Organizer duty

What the rules ask of organizers about vendors.

Virginia Tax's rule for fairs and flea markets says the Department may authorize a sponsor or operator to remit the tax collected by the vendors at the event; an operator who wants that arrangement must apply to the Department in writing. The rule does not require a vendor list. A 1992 Tax Commissioner ruling also describes an organizer obtaining a single temporary registration covering all sellers at the event, which is optional.

Official page

Timeline

When to apply.

Special Event Permit (Neighborhood Scale or City Scale): 90 days before for City Scale events of 500+ attendees or with road closures; 60 days for 251-499 attendees; 30 days for Neighborhood Scale
Temporary Sales Tax Certificate/Return (Form ST-50): Return due on or before the 20th of the month following the show
Temporary Food Establishment (TFE) permit: Application and fee at least ten calendar days before the TFE operates (state page); the district page says at least 10 business days

On bzar

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.

For vendors

Selling at markets in Hampton, VA?

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.

Check with the agency

Where the sources are unclear.

The state TFE page says applications are due ten calendar days before the TFE operates, while the district page says at least 10 business days; allow the longer period.
The district page adds that vendors cooking raw animal foods or cooling time-temperature-controlled foods need a Certified Food Protection Manager certificate, and home-prepared foods must be approved and inspected by VDACS.
Event-count threshold differs by source: 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 page (published October 7, 2024) says more than 3 events a year. Confirm with Virginia Tax at (804) 367-8037.
Virginia has regional sales tax rates that differ from the general rate (see the ST-50 form); no rate lookup page was read for this entry.
Hampton's fire and tent permit page was not found; the Special Event Guidebook and permit PDFs were not read. Special Event Coordinator: Cpl. Nick Kennedy, 757-727-6640; Commissioner of the Revenue business license, 757-727-6700.

Questions

Common questions.

Do I need a permit to host a vendor market in Hampton?

Special Event Permit (Neighborhood Scale or City Scale) (City of Hampton Parks & Recreation (Special Event Coordinator, Public Safety)): Hampton regulates only outdoor events, with a tiered permit based on size and scope and a Special Event Guidebook to complete the application. The city says park shelter rentals do not need a special event permit.

Do vendors need a license to sell at events in Hampton?

Hampton Business License (City of Hampton Commissioner of the Revenue): A business must obtain a license from the Commissioner of the Revenue before doing business in Hampton, and file and pay before its first day of business. Tax is generally based on gross receipts and varies by category; licenses expire December 31 and renew by March 1. The city also lists a New Temporary Food Vendor Application, which was not read.

Who handles sales tax at a market in Hampton?

Temporary Sales Tax Certificate/Return (Form ST-50) (Virginia Department of Taxation (Virginia Tax)): The vendor collects sales tax at the rate of the locality where the event is held and files the ST-50 with payment by the 20th of the month after the event. The form lists a 5.3% general rate and 6% in the Northern Virginia, Hampton Roads and Central Virginia regions. Permanent sales tax account for frequent event sellers (Virginia Department of Taxation (Virginia Tax)): Virginia Tax says vendors at more than three events a year must register a sales tax account, and seasonal sellers can register as a seasonal business so they file only for the months they sell. Registration is done online through Virginia Tax's business registration page. For organizers: Virginia Tax's rule for fairs and flea markets says the Department may authorize a sponsor or operator to remit the tax collected by the vendors at the event; an operator who wants that arrangement must apply to the Department in writing. The rule does not require a vendor list. A 1992 Tax Commissioner ruling also describes an organizer obtaining a single temporary registration covering all sellers at the event, which is optional.

Do food vendors need a separate permit in Hampton?

Temporary Food Establishment (TFE) permit (Virginia Department of Health, Hampton & Peninsula Health Districts): VDH issues the permit through the local health department where the booth operates, after a pre-operational inspection. Event coordinators can file an Event Coordinator Application telling the health department the dates, number of food vendors and water and wastewater arrangements.

How far ahead should I apply in Hampton?

Special Event Permit (Neighborhood Scale or City Scale): 90 days before for City Scale events of 500+ attendees or with road closures; 60 days for 251-499 attendees; 30 days for Neighborhood Scale Temporary Sales Tax Certificate/Return (Form ST-50): Return due on or before the 20th of the month following the show Temporary Food Establishment (TFE) permit: Application and fee at least ten calendar days before the TFE operates (state page); the district page says at least 10 business days

Keep reading.

Permits in Charlottesville, VAPermits in Newport News, VAPermits in Norfolk, VAPermits in Roanoke, VAPermits in Alexandria, VAPermits in Arlington County, VAVirginia state rules: sales tax and cottage foodPermit checklist for HamptonWhat event permits cost across US citiesCollecting vendor insurance and permitsHow to host a vendor eventVendor application form template

Sources

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: Hampton Special Event Coordinator, 757-727-6640

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.

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