Running a vendor market in Los Angeles.
To run a vendor market in Los Angeles, an organizer applies for a Special Event Permit through the Bureau of Street Services when the market uses the public right-of-way, and large tents need LADBS and LAFD approval. Food sellers need Los Angeles County Public Health permits. Vendors register for a City business tax certificate and a California seller's permit.
Updated
Event permit.
Special Event Permit (Streets LA)
Apply through the Streets LA Special Events Portal, submit the required petition forms, proof of insurance and a signed indemnification agreement. Costs are quoted after all affected city departments review the application.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- City of Los Angeles Bureau of Street Services, Street Services Investigation & Enforcement Division
- When
- Events using public streets or sidewalks, including street closures and sidewalk sales; personal events such as birthdays are not eligible
- Fee
- $312 penalty fee if the application arrives 21 days or less before the event; $100 for technical corrections to a submitted application
- Timing
- Submit at least 45 days before the event
Fire safety, tents and cooking.
Temporary Special Event permit (LADBS) with LAFD safety plan approval
LAFD must approve the event safety plan before the LADBS application is filed, and LAFD approval is required for tents of 450 square feet or more. Events in the public right-of-way also need Bureau of Street Services sign-off, and some events need a planning clearance.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety, with the Los Angeles Fire Department
- When
- Events of 7 days or less with tents or canopies over 12 feet in length or width on commercial property (over 450 sq ft on residential property), stages over 30 inches, bleachers or structures over 12 feet
- Fee
- $137.80 per event to file the application
LAFD Public Assemblage special permits
The unit issues special permits for special events, tents and open flames, and offers over-the-counter consultations on plans and event approval. It publishes forms including Special Event General Requirements, Tents & Canopies and Special Permit for Temporary Cooking.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- Los Angeles Fire Department, Public Assemblage Unit
- When
- Street events, street festivals, farmer's markets, plaza events and events with tents or open flames
Other rules.
LAPD permit for dances, carnivals, live music or alcohol
The LADBS page says an LAPD permit is required for these activities and directs organizers to the Office of Finance, (213) 996-1210, for how to get it.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- Los Angeles Police Department, via the Office of Finance
- When
- Events with dances, carnivals, live music or alcohol
Vendor and business licenses.
Business Tax Registration Certificate (BTRC)
Register online or in person; an online applicant can print a temporary certificate and the permanent one arrives by mail in about four weeks. Most new businesses owe no business tax for the first two years, and small businesses under $100,000 in receipts and creative artists may be exempt from the tax but should still register and renew on time.
- Who
- Organizer and vendors
- From
- City of Los Angeles Office of Finance
- When
- Any business operating in the City of Los Angeles, including vendors
Sales tax.
Seller's permit or temporary seller's permit
California requires a temporary seller's permit for anyone selling at a location for under 90 days, and each temporary sales location is registered with its own start and end dates. Registration is online through CDTFA.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA)
- When
- Vendors making retail sales of taxable goods at a market; sellers at one location for less than 90 days are treated as temporary sellers
- Fee
- Free
- Timing
- May be obtained 90 days before the business start date
Seller information for the event operator
Most sellers of new or used goods hold a seller's permit, and a seller with an existing permit still registers a sub-permit for the temporary location. Sellers give the event operator their business details and permit number in writing, and CDTFA offers form CDTFA-410-D for this. Occasional sellers and sellers with only exempt sales may not need a permit.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA)
- When
- Sellers at swap meets, flea markets and special events
Food vendors.
Community Event Organizer permit and Temporary Food Facility permits
Each food booth needs its own Temporary Food Facility permit, and trucks and carts need a valid county permit. Applications go to communityevents@ph.lacounty.gov and fees are due with the application.
- Who
- Organizer and vendors
- From
- Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Environmental Health Division (Community Events Program)
- When
- Public events with food or free samples: the organizer needs a permit when there are 2 or more food booths or 3 or more food trucks; private invitation-only events do not need a health permit
- Timing
- Organizer applications are due 30 days before the event; applications under 14 calendar days out are late and add 25% of the permit fee or $50.00, whichever is greater
What the rules ask of organizers about vendors.
Under CDTFA Publication 111, operators of swap meets, flea markets and special events may not rent space to a seller until they verify the seller holds a valid seller's permit, unless an exemption applies. Operators collect each seller's business name, address, phone, ID, items sold and permit number in writing, keep the records at least four years, and give them to CDTFA within 30 days of a written request. The page warns of a penalty of up to $1,000 per seller for missing records.
When to apply.
- Special Event Permit (Streets LA): Submit at least 45 days before the event
- Seller's permit or temporary seller's permit: May be obtained 90 days before the business start date
- Community Event Organizer permit and Temporary Food Facility permits: Organizer applications are due 30 days before the event; applications under 14 calendar days out are late and add 25% of the permit fee or $50.00, whichever is greater
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 Los Angeles, CA?
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.
- California sales tax is statewide through CDTFA; the seller's permit and operator rules apply in every California city. Confirm with CDTFA whether your event counts as a special event under Publication 111.
- The LA Business Navigator page still refers to the State Board of Equalization for the seller's permit; CDTFA now handles seller's permits.
- The county Community Events page names Long Beach, Pasadena and Vernon as cities with their own health rules and does not list the City of Los Angeles among them; confirm with the Community Events Program at (626) 430-5320.
- No official page was read for City of Los Angeles Recreation and Parks event permits as of 2026-10-10; ask the Department of Recreation and Parks for park-based markets.
Common questions.
Do I need a permit to host a vendor market in Los Angeles?
Special Event Permit (Streets LA) (City of Los Angeles Bureau of Street Services, Street Services Investigation & Enforcement Division): Apply through the Streets LA Special Events Portal, submit the required petition forms, proof of insurance and a signed indemnification agreement. Costs are quoted after all affected city departments review the application.
Do vendors need a license to sell at events in Los Angeles?
Business Tax Registration Certificate (BTRC) (City of Los Angeles Office of Finance): Register online or in person; an online applicant can print a temporary certificate and the permanent one arrives by mail in about four weeks. Most new businesses owe no business tax for the first two years, and small businesses under $100,000 in receipts and creative artists may be exempt from the tax but should still register and renew on time.
Who handles sales tax at a market in Los Angeles?
Seller's permit or temporary seller's permit (California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA)): California requires a temporary seller's permit for anyone selling at a location for under 90 days, and each temporary sales location is registered with its own start and end dates. Registration is online through CDTFA. Seller information for the event operator (California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA)): Most sellers of new or used goods hold a seller's permit, and a seller with an existing permit still registers a sub-permit for the temporary location. Sellers give the event operator their business details and permit number in writing, and CDTFA offers form CDTFA-410-D for this. Occasional sellers and sellers with only exempt sales may not need a permit. For organizers: Under CDTFA Publication 111, operators of swap meets, flea markets and special events may not rent space to a seller until they verify the seller holds a valid seller's permit, unless an exemption applies. Operators collect each seller's business name, address, phone, ID, items sold and permit number in writing, keep the records at least four years, and give them to CDTFA within 30 days of a written request. The page warns of a penalty of up to $1,000 per seller for missing records.
Do food vendors need a separate permit in Los Angeles?
Community Event Organizer permit and Temporary Food Facility permits (Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Environmental Health Division (Community Events Program)): Each food booth needs its own Temporary Food Facility permit, and trucks and carts need a valid county permit. Applications go to communityevents@ph.lacounty.gov and fees are due with the application.
How far ahead should I apply in Los Angeles?
Special Event Permit (Streets LA): Submit at least 45 days before the event Seller's permit or temporary seller's permit: May be obtained 90 days before the business start date Community Event Organizer permit and Temporary Food Facility permits: Organizer applications are due 30 days before the event; applications under 14 calendar days out are late and add 25% of the permit fee or $50.00, whichever is greater
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: Streets LA Special Events, (213) 847-6000, bssspevents@lacity.org
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://specialevents.lacity.gov/Home/HowToApply
- https://dbs.lacity.gov/services/inspection/temporary-special-events/temporary-special-event-permits
- https://lafd.org/fire-prevention/public-assemblage
- https://business.lacity.gov/plan-business/register-your-business/business-tax-registration-certificate
- https://cdtfa.ca.gov/industry/temporary-sellers/
- https://cdtfa.ca.gov/formspubs/pub111/sellers-and-vendors.htm
- https://publichealth.lacounty.gov/eh/business/community-events.htm
- https://cdtfa.ca.gov/formspubs/pub111/
Collect every vendor permit in one place.
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