Running a vendor market in Lexington.
To run a vendor market in Lexington, the organizer needs a Special Events Permit from the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government (LFUCG) Mayor's Office when the event is on public property, with a $50 fee and 12 weeks' notice. Food vendors need a Lexington-Fayette County Health Department permit and Fire Marshal inspection, and all vendors register for Kentucky sales tax.
Updated
Event permit.
Special Events Permit
Organizers submit the application, a certificate of insurance naming LFUCG as additional insured, a security deposit, an event map and the fee. The application circulates through city departments for approval and cost estimates, and food and alcohol must come from licensed caterers or vendors.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government, Office of the Mayor (Arts & Culture)
- When
- Events on public property or that need city services such as police, street closures, waste management or electrical support. The planning guide says events on private property do not need this permit.
- Fee
- $50 non-refundable application fee
- Timing
- At least 12 weeks before the event
Private Property Event Notification
LFUCG does not require a special event permit for private property events, but large ones that affect public roads, public spaces or neighbors must file a notification and coordinate with Lexington Police. Alcohol sales on private property need local and state temporary ABC licenses.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government, Office of the Mayor
- When
- Events on private property with 500 or more guests, runs or walks using a public road, or alcohol sales.
- Timing
- At least 8 weeks before the event
Parks and public space.
Robert F. Stephens Courthouse Plaza rental
Planners must meet with the plaza's management company before applying, and applications are due at least 12 weeks ahead. Fees cover setup, event and breakdown time.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government
- When
- Events at the Courthouse Plaza downtown; fees depend on nonprofit or for-profit status and the number of paid vendors.
- Fee
- Registered nonprofit: free with no paid vendors, $200 half day or $300 full day with 1 to 7 paid vendors, $300 or $400 with 8 or more; for-profit: $300 half day or $500 full day with no paid vendors, $500 or $750 with 1 to 7, $750 or $1,000 with 8 or more
- Timing
- Applications received at least 12 weeks before the event
Fire safety, tents and cooking.
Fire Marshal tent approval and food vendor inspection
Large tents must be approved by the Fire Marshal's Office, which schedules inspections at (859) 231-5668. Food vendors must pass a Lexington Fire Department inspection and display a current approval sticker issued within the past 12 months.
- Who
- Organizer and vendors
- From
- Lexington Fire & Emergency Services, Office of the Fire Marshal
- When
- Tents or temporary structures of 400 sq ft or more; all food vendors at city special events.
Other rules.
Event and vendor insurance
Organizers must supply a certificate showing commercial general liability coverage with LFUCG listed as an insured, and their vendors must be listed as well. Food vendors must carry their own general liability policy and certificate. Events where alcohol is served need liquor liability coverage.
- Who
- Organizer and vendors
- From
- Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government
- When
- Events produced by a business or nonprofit on city property; food vendors working them.
- Fee
- $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate for organizers; $1 million per occurrence for food vendors
Vendor and business licenses.
Occupational license (Fayette County business license)
The Division of Revenue issues the license, applied for in person or by mail with an EIN and state registration. Sole proprietors reporting gross receipts of $4,400 or less owe no minimum fee, though they still file a return. Whether non-food, out-of-town vendors at a one-day market must obtain it is not spelled out.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government, Division of Revenue
- When
- Every person or business engaged in business in Lexington-Fayette County; the planning guide says food vendors at city events must hold a current Fayette County business license.
- Fee
- $100 initial license fee
Transient Merchant Permit (Form 51A250)
The regulation says these merchants register for a permit in the county where they sell, using Form 51A250 submitted to the county clerk. A bond can be required through the Attorney General's office. Whether handmade-goods sellers are exempt was not confirmed from a readable official page.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- County clerk or other local representative, per Kentucky regulation
- When
- Transient merchants with no fixed place of business, whether selling from a vehicle or not.
Sales tax.
Temporary Vendor Sales and Use Tax Return (Form 30A006)
Vendors without an account report and remit tax on the temporary vendor return, due on the date shown on the form or when selling at the location ends. The department can require a bond, and the tax may be prepaid instead.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- Kentucky Department of Revenue
- When
- Temporary vendors and transient merchants who do not have an active Sales and Use Tax account.
Food vendors.
Temporary Food Service Establishment permit
Vendors apply for a permit for each specific location, and the department inspects within 24 hours of the first day of operation. A temporary operation may run at one location for at most 14 consecutive days and cannot return to that spot for 30 days. The department can restrict menus, including home-prepared foods and some raw or complex foods. The city guide also expects food vendors to carry food manager and handler certificates.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- Lexington-Fayette County Health Department
- When
- Food vendors operating temporarily at a specific location in Fayette County.
- Timing
- Apply at least 48 hours before setting up
When to apply.
- Special Events Permit: At least 12 weeks before the event
- Private Property Event Notification: At least 8 weeks before the event
- Robert F. Stephens Courthouse Plaza rental: Applications received at least 12 weeks before the event
- Temporary Food Service Establishment permit: Apply at least 48 hours before setting up
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 Lexington, KY?
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://www.lfchd.org/temporary-food-service/, https://www.lfchd.org/get-a-permit/ and https://www.lfchd.org/forms/ (health department site refused automated access). The temporary food permit fee is not recorded; an older health department guide (2017) listed lower fees, so ask the department or check its Forms page.
- The LFUCG planning guide (Jan 2026) refers to a 'Mobile Vending Permit' from the Health Department for food vendors; the Board of Health regulation read here calls the permit a temporary food service establishment permit.
- No official Kentucky page read states a duty on event promoters regarding vendors' tax accounts.
- The Kentucky regulation does not name Fayette County; confirm with the Fayette County Clerk where the transient merchant permit is filed and whether an exemption applies.
Common questions.
Do I need a permit to host a vendor market in Lexington?
Special Events Permit (Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government, Office of the Mayor (Arts & Culture)): Organizers submit the application, a certificate of insurance naming LFUCG as additional insured, a security deposit, an event map and the fee. The application circulates through city departments for approval and cost estimates, and food and alcohol must come from licensed caterers or vendors. Private Property Event Notification (Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government, Office of the Mayor): LFUCG does not require a special event permit for private property events, but large ones that affect public roads, public spaces or neighbors must file a notification and coordinate with Lexington Police. Alcohol sales on private property need local and state temporary ABC licenses.
Do vendors need a license to sell at events in Lexington?
Occupational license (Fayette County business license) (Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government, Division of Revenue): The Division of Revenue issues the license, applied for in person or by mail with an EIN and state registration. Sole proprietors reporting gross receipts of $4,400 or less owe no minimum fee, though they still file a return. Whether non-food, out-of-town vendors at a one-day market must obtain it is not spelled out. Transient Merchant Permit (Form 51A250) (County clerk or other local representative, per Kentucky regulation): The regulation says these merchants register for a permit in the county where they sell, using Form 51A250 submitted to the county clerk. A bond can be required through the Attorney General's office. Whether handmade-goods sellers are exempt was not confirmed from a readable official page.
Who handles sales tax at a market in Lexington?
Temporary Vendor Sales and Use Tax Return (Form 30A006) (Kentucky Department of Revenue): Vendors without an account report and remit tax on the temporary vendor return, due on the date shown on the form or when selling at the location ends. The department can require a bond, and the tax may be prepaid instead.
Do food vendors need a separate permit in Lexington?
Temporary Food Service Establishment permit (Lexington-Fayette County Health Department): Vendors apply for a permit for each specific location, and the department inspects within 24 hours of the first day of operation. A temporary operation may run at one location for at most 14 consecutive days and cannot return to that spot for 30 days. The department can restrict menus, including home-prepared foods and some raw or complex foods. The city guide also expects food vendors to carry food manager and handler certificates.
How far ahead should I apply in Lexington?
Special Events Permit: At least 12 weeks before the event Private Property Event Notification: At least 8 weeks before the event Robert F. Stephens Courthouse Plaza rental: Applications received at least 12 weeks before the event Temporary Food Service Establishment permit: Apply at least 48 hours before setting up
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: LFUCG Mayor's Office, Arts & Culture, (859) 258-3122
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://www.lexingtonky.gov/working/event-permits/special-events-permit
- https://content.lexingtonky.gov/sites/default/files/2026-01/Jan2026_SPECIAL_EVENT_PLANNING_GUIDE.pdf
- https://www.lexingtonky.gov/office-fire-marshal
- https://www.lexingtonky.gov/working/business-licensing-taxes/how-start-business-lexington
- https://www.lexingtonky.gov/working/business-licensing-taxes/occupational-license-fee-minimum-license-filing-requirements
- https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/kar/titles/103/025/060/
- https://www.lfchd.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Lexington-Fayette-Urban-County-Board-of-Health-Food-Service-Regulation-9-15-2021-002.pdf
Collect every vendor permit in one place.
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