# Vendor event permits in Long Beach, CA

To run a vendor market in Long Beach, the organizer applies to the city's Special Events & Filming office for a special event permit and holds a Long Beach business license. Vendors need a Special Event Vendor Permit and a California seller's permit from CDTFA, and food vendors and organizers need temporary food permits from the Long Beach Health Department.

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

## For the organizer: Event permit

### Special Event Permit
The organizer applies through Special Events & Filming, and a coordinator sends a checklist of required documents such as insurance, a site map and operational permits. The city's tiers run from free, no-setup events (Tier I) to ticketed events with extensive setup (Tier III).
- Who: organizer
- From: City of Long Beach Special Events & Filming
- When: Organized, large-scale events on public space with about 75 or more people. The city sorts events into three tiers by public access, ticketing and setup.
- Fee: Non-refundable application fee of $102 (Tier I), $205 (Tier II) or $410 (Tier III), plus per-event-day permit and venue fees; a 10% administrative fee is added to all fees
- Timing: Applications must be received at least 60 days before the event
- Official page: https://www.longbeach.gov/special-events-filming/special-events/event-fees/

### Special Events application and requirements
The city's overview page explains the tier system and says all event promoters must hold a Long Beach business license. Partial-year licenses are offered in 3, 6 and 9 month terms.
- Who: organizer
- From: City of Long Beach Special Events & Filming
- When: Anyone planning a special event in the city.
- Official page: https://longbeach.gov/special-events-filming/special-events/

## For the organizer: Other rules

### Promoter business license
Promoters submit a Business License Application along with the event application (email FM-SpecialEventApps@longbeach.gov). The city also charges the promoter a compliance fee for each vendor found selling without a special event vendor permit.
- Who: organizer
- From: City of Long Beach Business License Division
- When: Promoters holding an event in Long Beach.
- Fee: $35.00 compliance fee per un-permitted vendor charged to the promoter
- Official page: https://longbeach.gov/finance/business-info/business-licenses/special-event-vendor/

## For vendors: Vendor and business licenses

### Special Event Vendor Permit
Vendors apply for a Special Event Vendor Permit by email, mail or in person; the business tax is charged per booth, per day, with amounts listed on the application. Business license inspectors check vendors at events, and unlicensed vendors owe the tax plus a field collection fee.
- Who: vendors
- From: City of Long Beach Business License Division
- When: Anyone vending, selling or displaying items at a special event in Long Beach.
- Fee: $38.00 field collection fee for vendors found without a permit; per-booth, per-day tax amounts are on the application form
- Timing: Submit the application at least 10 days in advance
- Official page: https://longbeach.gov/finance/business-info/business-licenses/special-event-vendor/

## For vendors: Sales tax

### Seller's permit or temporary seller's permit
Craft, swap meet and special event sellers need a California seller's permit; a temporary one is for locations open under 90 days and is registered per location with start and end dates. Vendors give the event operator their permit number and details, and CDTFA offers form CDTFA-410-D for this.
- Who: vendors
- From: California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA)
- When: Vendors making retail sales of taxable items at a market. A temporary seller's permit covers a sales location that will operate under 90 days; vendors who already hold a regular seller's permit register the market as a sub-permit instead.
- Timing: A temporary seller's permit can be obtained up to 90 days before the start date
- Official page: https://cdtfa.ca.gov/industry/temporary-sellers/

### Operator duties for swap meets, flea markets and special events (Publication 111)
CDTFA's guidance for sellers and vendors lists what each seller must give the event operator in writing: business name, mailing address, phone, driver license or state ID number, a description of items sold, and the seller's permit number.
- Who: organizer
- From: California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA)
- When: Organizers who rent or lease space to sellers at a swap meet, flea market or special event.
- Official page: https://cdtfa.ca.gov/formspubs/pub111/sellers-and-vendors.htm

## For vendors: Food vendors

### Temporary Food Facility permits (vendor and organizer)
Each food vendor needs a temporary food facility permit, and the event organizer needs a separate organizer permit. A temporary facility can operate at a fixed location for no more than 25 days in any 90-day period.
- Who: organizer and vendors
- From: City of Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services, Bureau of Environmental Health
- When: Whenever food is sold or given away to the public at a community event.
- Timing: Both vendor and organizer permits must be obtained at least two weeks before the event
- Official page: https://www.longbeach.gov/health/services/directory/food---temporary-facilities/

## What the rules ask of organizers about vendors

California law lets CDTFA require swap meet, flea market and special event operators to collect proof from each seller before renting space (a valid seller's permit, or a written statement that they sell nothing taxable), and to send CDTFA a vendor list when it asks. An operator who fails to comply can face a penalty of up to $1,000 per offense. (https://cdtfa.ca.gov/lawguides/vol1/sutl/6073.html)

## Where the sources are unclear

- Long Beach is its own health jurisdiction, so food permits come from the city health department rather than Los Angeles County.
- The Special Events page does not publish fire department or insurance minimums; the application packet lists them per event, so ask the Special Events office what applies.
- Fee schedules change; the event fees page lists a separate per-event-day permit and venue fee that depends on tier and location.

## Questions

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

Special Event Permit (City of Long Beach Special Events & Filming): The organizer applies through Special Events & Filming, and a coordinator sends a checklist of required documents such as insurance, a site map and operational permits. The city's tiers run from free, no-setup events (Tier I) to ticketed events with extensive setup (Tier III). Special Events application and requirements (City of Long Beach Special Events & Filming): The city's overview page explains the tier system and says all event promoters must hold a Long Beach business license. Partial-year licenses are offered in 3, 6 and 9 month terms.

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

Special Event Vendor Permit (City of Long Beach Business License Division): Vendors apply for a Special Event Vendor Permit by email, mail or in person; the business tax is charged per booth, per day, with amounts listed on the application. Business license inspectors check vendors at events, and unlicensed vendors owe the tax plus a field collection fee.

**Who handles sales tax at a market in Long Beach?**

Seller's permit or temporary seller's permit (California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA)): Craft, swap meet and special event sellers need a California seller's permit; a temporary one is for locations open under 90 days and is registered per location with start and end dates. Vendors give the event operator their permit number and details, and CDTFA offers form CDTFA-410-D for this. Operator duties for swap meets, flea markets and special events (Publication 111) (California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA)): CDTFA's guidance for sellers and vendors lists what each seller must give the event operator in writing: business name, mailing address, phone, driver license or state ID number, a description of items sold, and the seller's permit number. For organizers: California law lets CDTFA require swap meet, flea market and special event operators to collect proof from each seller before renting space (a valid seller's permit, or a written statement that they sell nothing taxable), and to send CDTFA a vendor list when it asks. An operator who fails to comply can face a penalty of up to $1,000 per offense.

**Do food vendors need a separate permit in Long Beach?**

Temporary Food Facility permits (vendor and organizer) (City of Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services, Bureau of Environmental Health): Each food vendor needs a temporary food facility permit, and the event organizer needs a separate organizer permit. A temporary facility can operate at a fixed location for no more than 25 days in any 90-day period.

**How far ahead should I apply in Long Beach?**

Special Event Permit: Applications must be received at least 60 days before the event Special Event Vendor Permit: Submit the application at least 10 days in advance Seller's permit or temporary seller's permit: A temporary seller's permit can be obtained up to 90 days before the start date Temporary Food Facility permits (vendor and organizer): Both vendor and organizer permits must be obtained at least two weeks before the event

## Sources

- https://www.longbeach.gov/special-events-filming/special-events/event-fees/
- https://longbeach.gov/special-events-filming/special-events/
- https://longbeach.gov/finance/business-info/business-licenses/special-event-vendor/
- https://cdtfa.ca.gov/industry/temporary-sellers/
- https://cdtfa.ca.gov/formspubs/pub111/sellers-and-vendors.htm
- https://www.longbeach.gov/health/services/directory/food---temporary-facilities/
- https://cdtfa.ca.gov/lawguides/vol1/sutl/6073.html

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