Running a vendor market in Knoxville.
To run a vendor market in Knoxville, the organizer applies through the Office of Special Events ($50 fee, 60 days ahead) for events on city property. Vendors need a Knox County business tax license plus city registration, food vendors a Knox County Health Department temporary food permit ($30), and the promoter registers the event with the Tennessee Department of Revenue.
Updated
Event permit.
Special Event permit application (Eproval online permitting)
The Office of Special Events handles events on city property and takes applications through its Eproval online system, with quarterly coordinating meetings. The city also suggests city parks, which can cost less than events requiring street closures. Private-property events are not addressed on the page.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- City of Knoxville Office of Special Events
- When
- All special events on city property in Knoxville, including events needing street closures
- Fee
- $50 non-refundable application processing fee per event application
- Timing
- Return the forms 60 days before the event
Vendor and business licenses.
Business tax license (Knox County Clerk) and City of Knoxville registration
Most businesses in Knox County must get a business license from the County Clerk before engaging in business, applying online, in person or by mail. The Clerk's page does not describe a separate one-day event license.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- Knox County Clerk, Business Tax Division; City of Knoxville Department of Finance
- When
- Businesses in Knox County; those inside the city limits of Knoxville must also register with the city Department of Finance
- Fee
- $15.00 application fee
Sales tax.
Tennessee special event sales tax registration
Each vendor registers for sales tax for the specific event: vendors with an existing Tennessee account ask the Department to add the event, and vendors without one submit the Special Event Vendor Registration. Vendors registered only for the event file a return due the 20th of the month after the event ends.
- Who
- Organizer and vendors
- From
- Tennessee Department of Revenue
- When
- Vendors and promoters selling at a short-term special event such as an arts and crafts show or holiday market
Food vendors.
Temporary Food Establishment permit
Vendors fill out the Temporary Food Establishment Vendor Application, which an Environmental Health Specialist reviews, and a specialist inspects the booth before the permit is issued. The permit must be posted at the booth, home-prepared food is not allowed, and handwashing, temperature and food-source rules apply.
- Who
- Organizer and vendors
- From
- Knox County Health Department, Environmental Health
- When
- Food or beverages prepared and served to the public at an organized event lasting more than one day and up to fourteen consecutive days; vendors serving only prepackaged food or drinks do not need one
- Fee
- $30 for each temporary food permit
- Timing
- Submit the vendor application at least 14 days before the event
What the rules ask of organizers about vendors.
Tennessee treats the event promoter as a sales tax registrant for each event: the promoter registers the event location and dates with the Department of Revenue (marking the application as Special Event Promoter), receives a letter to hand to every vendor, and files and pays tax on taxable sales.
When to apply.
- Special Event permit application (Eproval online permitting): Return the forms 60 days before the event
- Temporary Food Establishment permit: Submit the vendor application at least 14 days before the 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 Knoxville, TN?
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 Knox County temporary food guidance is undated and lists the $30 fee; it covers only the Knox County Health Department, not other Tennessee counties.
- The special events guidance read for this page is a November 2021 Department of Revenue webinar deck. Its companion support-site articles (revenue.support.tn.gov) are behind a bot check and could not be opened (Blocked: https://revenue.support.tn.gov/hc/en-us/articles/360058445671); confirm current steps with the Department at revenue.support@tn.gov or 615-253-0600.
- The state business tax page lists a $100,000 gross receipts figure for when to register; whether a small market vendor needs a city or county business license is local (ask the county or city clerk).
- Vendors without a current Tennessee sales tax account use the Department's Application for Registration for Special Events: https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/revenue/documents/taxes/sales/special_events/special_event_vendor_reg.pdf
- Knoxville's Business License / Tax Office page (https://www.knoxvilletn.gov/470/Business-License-Tax-Office) says state law requires both city and county business licenses for most businesses inside the city and lists Vendor License Permit (Pedestrian and Transient) PDFs, which were not read; ask the office at 865-215-2083. The Event Application & Resources page (https://www.knoxvilletn.gov/1015/Event-Application-Resources) was not read. Office of Special Events: 865-215-4248.
Common questions.
Do I need a permit to host a vendor market in Knoxville?
Special Event permit application (Eproval online permitting) (City of Knoxville Office of Special Events): The Office of Special Events handles events on city property and takes applications through its Eproval online system, with quarterly coordinating meetings. The city also suggests city parks, which can cost less than events requiring street closures. Private-property events are not addressed on the page.
Do vendors need a license to sell at events in Knoxville?
Business tax license (Knox County Clerk) and City of Knoxville registration (Knox County Clerk, Business Tax Division; City of Knoxville Department of Finance): Most businesses in Knox County must get a business license from the County Clerk before engaging in business, applying online, in person or by mail. The Clerk's page does not describe a separate one-day event license.
Who handles sales tax at a market in Knoxville?
Tennessee special event sales tax registration (Tennessee Department of Revenue): Each vendor registers for sales tax for the specific event: vendors with an existing Tennessee account ask the Department to add the event, and vendors without one submit the Special Event Vendor Registration. Vendors registered only for the event file a return due the 20th of the month after the event ends. For organizers: Tennessee treats the event promoter as a sales tax registrant for each event: the promoter registers the event location and dates with the Department of Revenue (marking the application as Special Event Promoter), receives a letter to hand to every vendor, and files and pays tax on taxable sales.
Do food vendors need a separate permit in Knoxville?
Temporary Food Establishment permit (Knox County Health Department, Environmental Health): Vendors fill out the Temporary Food Establishment Vendor Application, which an Environmental Health Specialist reviews, and a specialist inspects the booth before the permit is issued. The permit must be posted at the booth, home-prepared food is not allowed, and handwashing, temperature and food-source rules apply.
How far ahead should I apply in Knoxville?
Special Event permit application (Eproval online permitting): Return the forms 60 days before the event Temporary Food Establishment permit: Submit the vendor application at least 14 days before the 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: Knoxville Office of Special Events, 865-215-4248
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://www.knoxvilletn.gov/1003/Special-Events
- https://www.knoxcounty.org/clerk/businesstax.php
- https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/revenue/documents/taxpayer_education/misc/special-events.pdf
- https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/revenue/documents/taxes/sales/special_events/special_event_vendor_reg.pdf
- https://www.knoxcounty.org/health/pdfs/PlansReviewApplication/TemporaryFoodEstablishmentGuidelinesEnglish.pdf
Collect every vendor permit in one place.
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