# Vendor event permits in Manchester, NH

In Manchester, NH, a fair, festival or market generally needs a City Clerk business license, and peddlers have their own license. Food vendors need a Manchester Health Department temporary event food permit at $25 per day. New Hampshire has no general sales tax, but sellers of prepared meals need a Meals and Rentals license from the state.

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

## For the organizer: Event permit

### Business license for fairs, festivals and most other special events
The City Clerk's list of activities that must file for a business license includes farmer's markets, fairs, festivals, performers and exhibitors, and most other special events, along with peddlers and hawkers. Business license costs vary by activity, so the Division should be asked for the fee and requirements.
- Who: organizer
- From: City of Manchester Office of the City Clerk, Business Licensing & Enforcement Division
- When: Fairs, festivals, farmer's markets, and most other special events; the City Clerk recommends calling to confirm whether a given event needs a license
- Official page: https://www.manchesternh.gov/Departments/City-Clerk/Licenses-and-Permits/Business-License

## For the organizer: Fire safety, tents and cooking

### Place of Assembly Permit
The Fire Prevention Bureau offers a Place of Assembly Permit application, and a pyrotechnic special effects permit comes from the State of New Hampshire. Call the Bureau at 603-669-2256 to confirm what a market with tents, propane or cooking needs.
- Who: organizer
- From: Manchester Fire Prevention Bureau
- When: Events where the Fire Prevention Bureau must verify a place of assembly; the page does not describe tents or outdoor markets
- Official page: https://www.manchesternh.gov/Departments/Fire/Fire-Prevention/Fire-Permits

## For vendors: Vendor and business licenses

### Peddlers License
The City Clerk lists peddlers and hawkers among the businesses required to file for a license and offers a Peddlers License Application. Fees vary by activity and are not published on the page.
- Who: vendors
- From: City of Manchester Office of the City Clerk, Business Licensing & Enforcement Division
- When: Peddlers and hawkers selling in the City; ask the Division whether booth vendors at a licensed event need their own
- Official page: https://www.manchesternh.gov/Departments/City-Clerk/Licenses-and-Permits/Business-License

## For vendors: Sales tax

### No general sales tax; Meals and Rentals Tax Operator's License for meals
The state's Division of Economic Development lists New Hampshire as a state with no sales tax. Sellers of taxable meals, including booths at fairs and festivals and food trucks, must hold a Meals and Rentals license before opening, and caterers need a separate license for occasional serving at various locations.
- Who: vendors
- From: New Hampshire Department of Revenue Administration
- When: Everyone selling at New Hampshire events; the license applies only to sellers of taxable meals
- Official page: https://www.nheconomy.com/why-new-hampshire/low-tax-burden

## For vendors: Food vendors

### Temporary Event Food Permit
Each vendor, including nonprofits, applies with the Temporary Food Permit Application after getting event approval from the organizer and other city departments. The page lists required day-of equipment for handwashing, utensil washing, temperature control and food protection.
- Who: vendors
- From: City of Manchester Health Department, Environmental Health Division
- When: Anyone cooking, preparing, serving, selling or giving away food or drinks at a short-term event in Manchester (fairs, festivals, fundraisers, tournaments), for up to 14 consecutive days; pre-packaged, shelf-stable snacks in original unopened commercial packaging may not need one
- Fee: Temporary Food Vendor: $25 per day; late fee an additional $25 within 2 weeks; nonprofit organizations with a Tax ID: no fee
- Timing: Apply at least 2 weeks before your event
- Official page: https://www.manchesternh.gov/Departments/Health/Environmental-Health/Food-Protection/Temporary-Event-Food-Permit

## Where the sources are unclear

- No separate official special event permit page was found for street or park use as of 2026-10-11 (Parks and Recreation, Highway and Police pages list no event permit); ask the City Clerk's Business Licensing & Enforcement Division at 603-624-6348 about street closures and city property.
- The City Clerk's License Fees page says only that fees vary depending on the activity, so no business license, peddler or festival fee is listed.
- New Hampshire has no general sales tax; the state entries describe the Meals and Rentals license for meal sellers. Blocked: dhhs.nh.gov, revenue.nh.gov and agriculture.nh.gov return 403 (see the state notes).
- No official page found stating a duty for event organizers about vendors' taxes; ask the Department of Revenue Administration.

## Questions

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

Business license for fairs, festivals and most other special events (City of Manchester Office of the City Clerk, Business Licensing & Enforcement Division): The City Clerk's list of activities that must file for a business license includes farmer's markets, fairs, festivals, performers and exhibitors, and most other special events, along with peddlers and hawkers. Business license costs vary by activity, so the Division should be asked for the fee and requirements.

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

Peddlers License (City of Manchester Office of the City Clerk, Business Licensing & Enforcement Division): The City Clerk lists peddlers and hawkers among the businesses required to file for a license and offers a Peddlers License Application. Fees vary by activity and are not published on the page.

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

No general sales tax; Meals and Rentals Tax Operator's License for meals (New Hampshire Department of Revenue Administration): The state's Division of Economic Development lists New Hampshire as a state with no sales tax. Sellers of taxable meals, including booths at fairs and festivals and food trucks, must hold a Meals and Rentals license before opening, and caterers need a separate license for occasional serving at various locations.

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

Temporary Event Food Permit (City of Manchester Health Department, Environmental Health Division): Each vendor, including nonprofits, applies with the Temporary Food Permit Application after getting event approval from the organizer and other city departments. The page lists required day-of equipment for handwashing, utensil washing, temperature control and food protection.

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

Temporary Event Food Permit: Apply at least 2 weeks before your event

## Sources

- https://www.manchesternh.gov/Departments/City-Clerk/Licenses-and-Permits/Business-License
- https://www.manchesternh.gov/Departments/Fire/Fire-Prevention/Fire-Permits
- https://www.manchesternh.gov/Departments/City-Clerk/Licenses-and-Permits/License-Fees
- https://www.nheconomy.com/why-new-hampshire/low-tax-burden
- https://gc.nh.gov/rules/state_agencies/rev700.html
- https://gc.nh.gov/rsa/html/V/78-A/78-A-4.htm
- https://www.manchesternh.gov/Departments/Health/Environmental-Health/Food-Protection/Temporary-Event-Food-Permit

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