# Vendor event permits in Knoxville, TN

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.

_Sources checked 2026-10-11. Not legal or tax advice; confirm with each agency._

## For the organizer: 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
- Official page: https://www.knoxvilletn.gov/1003/Special-Events

## For vendors: 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
- Official page: https://www.knoxcounty.org/clerk/businesstax.php

## For vendors: 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
- Official page: https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/revenue/documents/taxpayer_education/misc/special-events.pdf

## For vendors: 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
- Official page: https://www.knoxcounty.org/health/pdfs/PlansReviewApplication/TemporaryFoodEstablishmentGuidelinesEnglish.pdf

## 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. (https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/revenue/documents/taxpayer_education/misc/special-events.pdf)

## 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.

## 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

## Sources

- 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

All cities: https://bzar.app/permits