Running a vendor market in Huntington Beach.

Special Event Permit (tiered) (City of Huntington Beach Special Events Office): Contact the Special Events Office for an initial review, then apply through the city's online system. Fees follow three tiers by size and set-up; Tier 1 excludes on-site sales and temporary structures, so a market with vendors and tents likely falls in Tier 2 or higher. Tier 3 (ticketed, over 3,000 attendees) has a $400 application fee, $650 daily permit fee, $1,000 daily venue fee and a $50,000 deposit. Private-property events (City of Huntington Beach Community Development Department): The city page says the Community Development Department issues permits for events on private property and gives (714) 536-5271 as its contact.

Business License (annual business license tax) (City of Huntington Beach Business License Office): The city requires a license for anyone conducting business in Huntington Beach, and out-of-town businesses are taxed differently. A separate license is needed for each location, and one carrying no fixed place of business must carry it while working. The Business License Office is at (714) 536-5267. The page does not describe a one-day vendor license. Special Event Marketing Business License (City of Huntington Beach Business License Office): These marketers must apply and pay for a business license for that activity. Marketers approved by the organizer and inside the organizer's permitted footprint, under the organizer's blanket event business license, are exempt from this requirement. Unlicensed marketing can be cited with fines of $250 to $1,000 per day.

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.

Community Event Organizer permit and Temporary Food Facility (TFF) permits (Orange County Health Care Agency, Environmental Health): An organizer permit is needed when two or more food vendors take part, and each booth needs its own TFF permit even if it gives food away. Organizers submit the application, vendor list, site map and city approval; vendors can apply online once the event is approved. Questions go to (714) 433-6080 or EHSpecialEvents@ochca.com.

Special Event Permit (tiered): Applications must be submitted no less than 90 days in advance of the event Special Event Marketing Business License: Application and full payment at least 30 days before the event; none accepted later 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 (TFF) permits: Organizer application about a month ahead (state law: at least two weeks); TFF packets at least one month ahead; applications under 14 days out pay a late fee of 50% of the permit