Running a vendor market in Irving.
In Irving, major events need a Special Event Permit processed by the Irving Police Department under Chapter 33B, with a $375 application fee and a preliminary application at least 90 days ahead. Food vendors need a Health Temporary Food Event Permit from Inspections, and sellers need a Texas sales tax permit. Irving does not require a general business license.
Updated
Event permit.
Special Event Permit
Organizers email the application with a site plan, traffic and parking plan, and certificate of insurance. Other departments (Fire, Planning, Inspections, Parks and others) may add requirements. Permits may be denied for conflicts or traffic disruption, and off-duty police or fire personnel may be required.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- City of Irving Police Department (Special Events Section)
- When
- Special events regulated by Chapter 33B of the city code; the application describes it as the first step to approve major events and asks about merchandise sales, tents, street closures, food and alcohol
- Fee
- $375 application fee (non-refundable); $250 late fee if filed less than 90 days before the event; plus fees for other permits and the city's direct costs
- Timing
- Preliminary application not less than 90 days and no more than 365 days before the event begins
Fire safety, tents and cooking.
Fire Tent Application
Irving lists a Fire - Tent Application among its online fire permits. Fire permit questions: 972-721-2651. Fireworks need a qualified, licensed operator and fire marshal approval.
- Who
- Organizer and vendors
- From
- City of Irving Fire Department
- When
- Tents at an event; the special event application lists tents among items that may need additional permits
Other rules.
Event insurance
The organizer must carry commercial general liability naming the city and its officers as additional insured with a waiver of subrogation, and deliver the certificate at least 10 days before the event. Alcohol also needs the TABC licenses and liquor liability coverage from the license holder.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- City of Irving Special Events / Risk Management
- When
- Required if any portion of the event is on city property; liquor liability if alcohol is sold or served
- Fee
- General liability not less than $1,000,000 per occurrence; liquor liability not less than $1,000,000 per claim
Vendor and business licenses.
No general business license in Irving
The city's Small Business Resource Guide states Irving does not issue or require a general business license. Vendors selling food need the health permit listed separately, and taxable sellers need a Texas sales tax permit.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- City of Irving Planning and Zoning Department
- When
- Businesses operating in Irving; state licenses and city permits specific to the activity may still apply
Sales tax.
Texas Sales and Use Tax Permit
Sellers at markets and similar events who sell taxable goods or services need a Texas Sales and Use Tax Permit, even when they sell only temporarily at the event. Apply online, by mail or at a Comptroller field office.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
- When
- Vendors who sell, or take orders for, taxable items or services at a fair, festival, market or show, including sellers from outside Texas
- Fee
- There is no fee to apply for a permit
Food vendors.
Health Temporary Food Event Permit
The city's permit list names a Health Temporary Food Event Permit application that is emailed to irving-permits@cityofirving.org; questions go to Inspections at (972) 721-2371. Fee and deadline are on the city's Health Inspections page, which could not be read.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- City of Irving Inspections Department (Health)
- When
- Temporary events involving food
What the rules ask of organizers about vendors.
Under Texas Comptroller guidance, an event promoter must collect and remit sales tax on sales by vendors who lack an active Texas sales tax permit, unless those sales are exempt. For vendors claiming the occasional-sales exemption, the promoter needs a letter from the seller and both must keep records for four years.
When to apply.
- Special Event Permit: Preliminary application not less than 90 days and no more than 365 days before the event begins
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.
Selling at markets in Irving, TX?
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.
Where the sources are unclear.
- Blocked: https://irvingtx.gov/health-inspections and https://irvingtx.gov/inspections-faqs (temporary food event permit fee and deadline), and https://ecode360.com/45598656 (Chapter 33B). No temporary food fee is recorded because it could not be read from an official page; confirm with Inspections at (972) 721-2371.
- The special event application states the permit covers major events; the minimum size that triggers it is not stated on the form (it is in Chapter 33B). Ask the Special Events Section at (972) 721-2484.
- The application is the 2025 revision (filename rev_1752759265) and references Chapter 33B effective February 1, 2022.
Common questions.
Do I need a permit to host a vendor market in Irving?
Special Event Permit (City of Irving Police Department (Special Events Section)): Organizers email the application with a site plan, traffic and parking plan, and certificate of insurance. Other departments (Fire, Planning, Inspections, Parks and others) may add requirements. Permits may be denied for conflicts or traffic disruption, and off-duty police or fire personnel may be required.
Do vendors need a license to sell at events in Irving?
No general business license in Irving (City of Irving Planning and Zoning Department): The city's Small Business Resource Guide states Irving does not issue or require a general business license. Vendors selling food need the health permit listed separately, and taxable sellers need a Texas sales tax permit.
Who handles sales tax at a market in Irving?
Texas Sales and Use Tax Permit (Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts): Sellers at markets and similar events who sell taxable goods or services need a Texas Sales and Use Tax Permit, even when they sell only temporarily at the event. Apply online, by mail or at a Comptroller field office. For organizers: Under Texas Comptroller guidance, an event promoter must collect and remit sales tax on sales by vendors who lack an active Texas sales tax permit, unless those sales are exempt. For vendors claiming the occasional-sales exemption, the promoter needs a letter from the seller and both must keep records for four years.
Do food vendors need a separate permit in Irving?
Health Temporary Food Event Permit (City of Irving Inspections Department (Health)): The city's permit list names a Health Temporary Food Event Permit application that is emailed to irving-permits@cityofirving.org; questions go to Inspections at (972) 721-2371. Fee and deadline are on the city's Health Inspections page, which could not be read.
How far ahead should I apply in Irving?
Special Event Permit: Preliminary application not less than 90 days and no more than 365 days before the event begins
Keep reading.
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: Irving Police Department Special Events Section, (972) 721-2484, bmoralez@cityofirving.org
Every fact on this page comes from these official pages, checked on 2026-10-10. Details change; tell us at hello@bzar.app if something here is out of date.
- https://irvingtx.gov/corecode/storage/uber_resource/uploaded_pdfs/SpecialEventPermitApplication-rev_1752759265.pdf
- https://irvingtx.gov/corecode/storage/uber_resource/uploaded_pdfs/corecode/Permit%20Full%20List_1495.pdf
- https://irvingtx.gov/corecode/storage/uber_resource/uploaded_pdfs/Small%20Business%20Guide_1748278256.pdf
- https://gov.texas.gov/business/page/start-a-business
- https://comptroller.texas.gov/taxes/publications/96-211.php
Collect every vendor permit in one place.
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