# Vendor event permits in Lansing, MI

In Lansing, event food vendors need a temporary food license from the Ingham County Health Department, $100 or $250 if applied for less than five days before the event, and vendors need a Michigan sales tax license or concessionaire return. The City of Lansing handles special event, street closure and noise waiver permits; confirm its requirements.

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

## For the organizer: Event permit

### Special Event Permit Application (SEPA)
Organizers download the SEPA form and email it with the fee and supporting documents; the city does not accept it through the website, and submission does not guarantee approval. The fee rises the closer to the event the application arrives.
- Who: organizer
- From: City of Lansing Parks and Recreation, Special Events Planning
- When: Events such as festivals, concerts, parades, runs and neighborhood events on a street, in a city park or in a city parking lot, and events needing a street closure.
- Fee: $250 if submitted 90 days or more before the event; $400 if less than 90 but more than 60 days; $800 if less than 60 but more than 30 days (non-refundable)
- Timing: At least 90 days before the event to avoid a penalty; no applications accepted less than 30 days before
- Official page: https://www.lansingmi.gov/special-events-planning

## For vendors: Vendor and business licenses

### Transient Merchant License
Lansing requires certain businesses to hold a city license, and its list includes a Transient Merchant License for temporary selling. A city license does not replace required state and county licenses. Applications can be printed and mailed or, for some licenses, submitted online.
- Who: vendors
- From: City of Lansing City Clerk, Business Licensing
- When: Anyone who runs a temporary business selling and delivering goods within the city. The page does not say whether a vendor at an organizer's permitted market counts; ask the City Clerk. Licenses are generally issued for one year.
- Official page: https://www.lansingmi.gov/business-licenses

## For vendors: Sales tax

### Michigan sales tax license or Concessionaire's Sales Tax Return (Form 5089)
Retailers collect 6% sales tax, and Michigan has no city, local or county sales tax. Vendors at more than two events a year must hold a sales tax license, registered online through Michigan Treasury Online or on Form 518. Sellers may begin selling before the license arrives but must remit tax from their first sale.
- Who: vendors
- From: Michigan Department of Treasury
- When: Anyone selling tangible goods to final consumers, including at events. Vendors at only one or two Michigan events a year can use Form 5089 instead of a license.
- Fee: No fee for a sales tax license
- Official page: https://www.michigan.gov/taxes/business-taxes/sales-use-tax/information/sales-tax-license-faq

## For vendors: Food vendors

### Temporary Food License
The license covers one location for a maximum of 14 consecutive days and is applied for online. The department's fee schedule includes the state's $9.00 temporary license fee.
- Who: vendors
- From: Ingham County Health Department, Environmental Health
- When: Food vendors at a temporary event in Ingham County, including Lansing
- Fee: $100.00; $250.00 if the application is received less than 5 days before the event
- Timing: Apply at least 5 days before the event to avoid the late fee
- Official page: https://www.ingham.org/Department/Health%20Department/environmental%20health/2025-26%20FOOD%20AND%20FACILITIES%20FEE%20SCHEDULE.pdf?t=202512101013250

## Where the sources are unclear

- The City of Lansing pages load their body text by script, so they were read in a browser. The Business Licenses page also lists Canvasser/Street Peddler and Show License types (a Show License covers sponsoring or operating a show in the city); it does not state fees for them, and the parade and noise waiver pages were not read. Ask the City Clerk (517-483-4133) whether a market organizer needs a Show License and whether vendors at a permitted event need a Transient Merchant License.
- The Ingham County fee schedule is for 2025-2026 and was linked from the Environmental Health Permits & Licensing page; the temporary application form is hosted on inghamcounty.seamlessdocs.com and was not read.

## Questions

**Do I need a permit to host a vendor market in Lansing?**

Special Event Permit Application (SEPA) (City of Lansing Parks and Recreation, Special Events Planning): Organizers download the SEPA form and email it with the fee and supporting documents; the city does not accept it through the website, and submission does not guarantee approval. The fee rises the closer to the event the application arrives.

**Do vendors need a license to sell at events in Lansing?**

Transient Merchant License (City of Lansing City Clerk, Business Licensing): Lansing requires certain businesses to hold a city license, and its list includes a Transient Merchant License for temporary selling. A city license does not replace required state and county licenses. Applications can be printed and mailed or, for some licenses, submitted online.

**Who handles sales tax at a market in Lansing?**

Michigan sales tax license or Concessionaire's Sales Tax Return (Form 5089) (Michigan Department of Treasury): Retailers collect 6% sales tax, and Michigan has no city, local or county sales tax. Vendors at more than two events a year must hold a sales tax license, registered online through Michigan Treasury Online or on Form 518. Sellers may begin selling before the license arrives but must remit tax from their first sale.

**Do food vendors need a separate permit in Lansing?**

Temporary Food License (Ingham County Health Department, Environmental Health): The license covers one location for a maximum of 14 consecutive days and is applied for online. The department's fee schedule includes the state's $9.00 temporary license fee.

**How far ahead should I apply in Lansing?**

Temporary Food License: Apply at least 5 days before the event to avoid the late fee Special Event Permit Application (SEPA): At least 90 days before the event to avoid a penalty; no applications accepted less than 30 days before

## Sources

- https://www.michigan.gov/taxes/business-taxes/sales-use-tax/information/sales-tax-license-faq
- https://www.ingham.org/Department/Health%20Department/environmental%20health/2025-26%20FOOD%20AND%20FACILITIES%20FEE%20SCHEDULE.pdf?t=202512101013250
- https://www.ingham.org/health/environmental_health/permits_licensing.php
- https://www.michigan.gov/mdard/licensing/food/service
- https://www.lansingmi.gov/special-events-planning
- https://www.lansingmi.gov/business-licenses

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