Running a vendor market in Jackson.
To run a vendor market in Jackson, vendors need a City of Jackson business privilege license and a Mississippi sales tax permit, and the state treats the operator of a flea market or similar event as responsible for collecting vendors' sales tax. Food vendors need a Mississippi State Department of Health permit. Ask the city about its event permit.
Updated
Event permit.
Special Events Permit
Organizers apply through the city's online permit portal under the city's Special Events Ordinance (Sec. 14-180 to 14-183). The application asks for the event's location, expected crowd, whether food, beverages, alcohol or merchandise will be sold, parking, sound equipment, and water, toilets and first aid. The coordinator acts within four work days of a complete application, or ten days for events along a set route.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- City of Jackson Special Events Committee and Special Events Coordinator
- When
- Anyone who conducts or sponsors a parade, athletic event, block party, festival or other special event in the city. City-sponsored events and funeral processions are exempt. The page does not separate public from private property.
- Fee
- $10.00 non-refundable application fee (permit fees are paid online through the portal)
- Timing
- Applications must be submitted no less than 15 days before the proposed event
Vendor and business licenses.
Business Privilege License
Applicants submit a notarized privilege tax form plus documents such as formation papers, proof of occupancy, a Mississippi Department of Revenue sales tax permit and a health department food service permit where relevant. Fees vary by business type and size, processing is typically 7 to 14 business days, and licenses renew every year.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- City of Jackson Business Licensing Division
- When
- Businesses operating in the city of Jackson; the page does not describe a separate one-day or transient license
Sales tax.
Sales and use tax permit (retail, including one-time events)
The Department says sellers of tangible goods at a retail miscellaneous or one-time event need a sales and use tax account number, and that even hobby sellers must collect sales tax. Businesses register online through the Department's TAP portal, and the permit packet is mailed afterward. The general rate is stated as 7%.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- Mississippi Department of Revenue
- When
- Anyone selling tangible personal property at retail, including at a miscellaneous or one-time event
- Fee
- No, there is no fee to obtain a sales tax permit.
Food vendors.
Food permit for temporary special events
The Department's retail food page lists temporary special events among the retail food facilities it regulates, and its Q&A says anyone who prepares, holds, transports or serves food for pay needs a food permit. The Department says a home kitchen is not an approved facility for catering. The pages read do not describe a separate temporary-event application, fee or deadline, so confirm the process with the Division of Food Protection or the regional environmentalist.
- Who
- Organizer and vendors
- From
- Mississippi State Department of Health, Division of Food Protection
- When
- Food prepared or served for pay at a temporary special event. The Department's Q&A says charitable, non-profit organizations and private schools are not required to have a food permit.
What the rules ask of organizers about vendors.
Mississippi's Department of Revenue says the operator or promoter of a flea market, antique mall or similar event is considered the seller and is responsible for collecting and remitting the sales tax collected by the vendors. A vendor who holds a retail sales tax permit does not report the event's sales under their own number but reports their individual sales to the promoter or operator.
When to apply.
- Special Events Permit: Applications must be submitted no less than 15 days before the proposed event
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 Jackson, MS?
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.
- The Special Events Permit information is on the City of Jackson's OpenGov permit portal (jacksonms.portal.opengov.com), the city's Need a Permit / License link; the older city special event and transient vendor pages return page not found. The page states only a $10.00 application fee; other permit fees, insurance and street closure rules were not read. Ask the City of Jackson Business Licensing Division (601-960-1148) or the Special Events Coordinator.
- The city business license page does not state a fee and does not address a vendor who sells only at a promoter's event; ask the Business Licensing Division.
- No official Mississippi page read states a fee, deadline or application for a one-event temporary food permit. Ask the Mississippi State Department of Health, Division of Food Protection, 601-364-2832, food@msdh.ms.gov.
- The Department of Revenue pages read do not address whether a vendor who sells only through a promoter needs their own permit beyond the promoter-reporting rule quoted above; confirm with the Department at (601) 923-7700.
Common questions.
Do I need a permit to host a vendor market in Jackson?
Special Events Permit (City of Jackson Special Events Committee and Special Events Coordinator): Organizers apply through the city's online permit portal under the city's Special Events Ordinance (Sec. 14-180 to 14-183). The application asks for the event's location, expected crowd, whether food, beverages, alcohol or merchandise will be sold, parking, sound equipment, and water, toilets and first aid. The coordinator acts within four work days of a complete application, or ten days for events along a set route.
Do vendors need a license to sell at events in Jackson?
Business Privilege License (City of Jackson Business Licensing Division): Applicants submit a notarized privilege tax form plus documents such as formation papers, proof of occupancy, a Mississippi Department of Revenue sales tax permit and a health department food service permit where relevant. Fees vary by business type and size, processing is typically 7 to 14 business days, and licenses renew every year.
Who handles sales tax at a market in Jackson?
Sales and use tax permit (retail, including one-time events) (Mississippi Department of Revenue): The Department says sellers of tangible goods at a retail miscellaneous or one-time event need a sales and use tax account number, and that even hobby sellers must collect sales tax. Businesses register online through the Department's TAP portal, and the permit packet is mailed afterward. The general rate is stated as 7%. For organizers: Mississippi's Department of Revenue says the operator or promoter of a flea market, antique mall or similar event is considered the seller and is responsible for collecting and remitting the sales tax collected by the vendors. A vendor who holds a retail sales tax permit does not report the event's sales under their own number but reports their individual sales to the promoter or operator.
Do food vendors need a separate permit in Jackson?
Food permit for temporary special events (Mississippi State Department of Health, Division of Food Protection): The Department's retail food page lists temporary special events among the retail food facilities it regulates, and its Q&A says anyone who prepares, holds, transports or serves food for pay needs a food permit. The Department says a home kitchen is not an approved facility for catering. The pages read do not describe a separate temporary-event application, fee or deadline, so confirm the process with the Division of Food Protection or the regional environmentalist.
How far ahead should I apply in Jackson?
Special Events Permit: Applications must be submitted no less than 15 days before the proposed event
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: Business Licensing Division 601-960-1148
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.
- https://jacksonms.gov/business/business-licenses/
- https://www.dor.ms.gov/business/business-tax-frequently-asked-questions
- https://www.dor.ms.gov/business/registration-information-sales-and-use-tax-applicants
- https://www.msdh.ms.gov/page/30,0,77,769.html
- https://msdh.ms.gov/page/30,3432,77,311.html
- https://msdh.ms.gov/page/30,0,77,311.html
- https://jacksonms.portal.opengov.com/categories/1092
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