Running a vendor market in Howard County.

Special Events Permit (Howard County Police Department): Apply through the county's online permit system. Applications are handled first-in-time by when the application and application fee are received. An annual special permit calendar and a fee waiver request form are posted on the same page; the fee amount is not stated there.

Trader's License (or Exhibitor's Affidavit) (Howard County, Clerk of the Circuit Court (statewide rules enforced by the Comptroller's License Bureau)): The Comptroller's license bureau says a trader's license from the Clerk of the Circuit Court is required, along with a sales tax account, and the license year runs May 1 to April 30. A copy of the license or affidavit must be shown to the promoter before the show and displayed during it. Fees are not listed on this page. Transient Vendor License (roadside or temporary sales) (Comptroller of Maryland): Free, valid for 90 days, and issued only to holders of a Maryland sales and use tax license. It must be displayed when selling, and a local trader's license from the Clerk of the Circuit Court may also be needed.

Temporary Sales and Use Tax License (30 days) (Comptroller of Maryland): A vendor emails the event date, name and location plus business details to the Comptroller's temporary license desk (or calls 410-767-1543 or 410-767-5462) and collects the 6 percent or 9 percent Maryland sales and use tax, as the Comptroller states. Vendors at three or more events a year should register for a permanent license through Maryland Tax Connect. Flea market and show sales are taxable (Comptroller of Maryland): The Comptroller says sales at flea markets are subject to the 6 percent sales and use tax like other retail sales, and a seller must hold a license before collecting it. A 30-day permit is available by phone from the Special Events Section at 410-767-1543 or 410-767-1531; frequent sellers should get a permanent license through the Combined Registration Application. For organizers: A show promoter may not let an exhibitor take part unless the exhibitor has given a photocopy of a valid Trader's License or an Exhibitor's Affidavit before the show. Exhibitors must display it, and the promoter must forward all Exhibitor Affidavits to the Comptroller's State License Bureau within seven days after the show. Non-compliance is a misdemeanor with a fine up to $100 or up to 30 days in jail.

Temporary Food License (Howard County Health Department, Bureau of Environmental Health (Food Protection Program)): A license is specific to one event and can cover up to two weeks. Apply online through the Accela portal, by mail or in person with a booth sketch; incomplete or unpaid applications are not processed. Nonprofits must show proof of status and are exempt from the fee. Event coordinator duties for temporary food vendors (Howard County Health Department, Food Protection Program): Coordinators can verify a vendor's license (it must be displayed) by calling 410-313-1772, and are asked to email the Health Department a complete list of food vendors with the event name and date. The FAQ notes it is not the Food Protection Program's job to ensure vendors apply.

Special Events Permit: At least 60 calendar days before, and up to one year in advance of, the event date Temporary Food License: Applications should be received at least 2 weeks before the event Temporary Sales and Use Tax License (30 days): Temporary license is valid for 30 days