Running a vendor market in Memphis.
To run a vendor market in Memphis, the organizer applies for a public assembly permit through the City of Memphis Permits Office if the event closes or affects a street, sidewalk or right-of-way. Food vendors need a Shelby County Health Department temporary event permit, and vendors register for Tennessee special event sales tax.
Updated
Event permit.
Public Assembly Permit
The applicant submits a map of the assembly area, a state-issued ID and a signed indemnity and hold harmless agreement. Non-residents must also post a surety bond or deposit equal to 50% of estimated costs.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- City of Memphis Permits Office
- When
- Events involving a partial or full closure of a public street, sidewalk or right-of-way, or a change to normal vehicle or pedestrian traffic
- Fee
- $50 non-refundable application fee; additional $100 for a partial or full street closure
- Timing
- File at least 14 business days before the event
Other rules.
Insurance for street closures
The organizer carries liability insurance naming the City of Memphis, its officials and employees as additional insureds: $1,000,000 general aggregate, $1,000,000 personal injury, $1,000,000 each occurrence and $5,000 medical expense.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- City of Memphis Permits Office
- When
- Public assembly events that close a street
Outdoor retail sales approval and alcohol permits
The application states that outdoor retail sales need code enforcement approval (901-222-8300) and that any alcohol requires separate permit or license documentation.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- City of Memphis Permits Office
- When
- Public assembly events that include outdoor retail sales or alcohol
Vendor and business licenses.
Flea market and craft show operator business tax license and per-booth fee
The operator collects a daily per-booth fee from each exhibitor and sends it to the County Clerk (within 72 hours after a one-off show, or by the 10th of the following month for a continuing market). An exhibitor can hold their own business tax license instead of paying the per-booth fee.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- Shelby County Clerk, Business Tax Division
- When
- Flea markets, craft shows and similar shows run as public facilities where two or more retailers sell tangible goods. The owner, manager, operator or promoter must hold the license.
- Fee
- $1 per booth per day; $2 per booth per day for facilities inside Memphis city limits
- Timing
- Fees for a one-off show due within 72 hours after the event closes
Transient Vendor License and Transient Vendor Permit
Transient vendors obtain both a license and a permit from the County Clerk. The permit expires 14 days after issue and the vendor must re-apply for a new one.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- Shelby County Clerk's Office
- When
- Anyone bringing new merchandise to temporary premises, including a tent or vacant lot, to sell to the public. Sellers by catalog or sample for later delivery are not covered. Vendors paying the per-booth fee through a market operator, or holding their own business tax license, are addressed on the Flea Markets page instead.
- Fee
- $162.00 permit fee (City of Memphis plus county); $107.00 (county only)
- Timing
- Permit expires 14 days after it is issued
Sales tax.
Tennessee special event sales tax registration
Each vendor registers for sales tax for the specific event: vendors with an existing Tennessee account ask the Department to add the event, and vendors without one submit the Special Event Vendor Registration. Vendors registered only for the event file a return due the 20th of the month after the event ends.
- Who
- Organizer and vendors
- From
- Tennessee Department of Revenue
- When
- Vendors and promoters selling at a short-term special event such as an arts and crafts show or holiday market
Food vendors.
Temporary event food permit
Each vendor pays for either packaged goods or eating and drinking. Events with fewer than ten food vendors apply with the department two business days ahead; larger events must file all vendor applications and fees ten working business days ahead.
- Who
- Organizer and vendors
- From
- Shelby County Health Department, Environmental Health and Food Safety
- When
- Food and drink vendors at a temporary event; for events with ten or more food vendors the organizer submits every vendor's application
- Fee
- $11.25 packaged goods; $30.00 eating/drinking
- Timing
- At least 2 business days before the event (under 10 food vendors); 10 working business days (10 or more food vendors)
What the rules ask of organizers about vendors.
Tennessee treats the event promoter as a sales tax registrant for each event: the promoter registers the event location and dates with the Department of Revenue (by email, marking the application as Special Event Promoter), receives a letter to hand to every vendor, and files and pays tax on taxable sales.
When to apply.
- Public Assembly Permit: File at least 14 business days before the event
- Temporary event food permit: At least 2 business days before the event (under 10 food vendors); 10 working business days (10 or more food vendors)
- Flea market and craft show operator business tax license and per-booth fee: Fees for a one-off show due within 72 hours after the event closes
- Transient Vendor License and Transient Vendor Permit: Permit expires 14 days after it is issued
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 Memphis, TN?
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.
- The Tennessee special events guidance read for this page is a November 2021 Department of Revenue webinar deck. Its companion support-site articles (revenue.support.tn.gov) could not be opened, so confirm current steps with the Department at revenue.support@tn.gov or 615-253-0600.
- Vendors without a current Tennessee sales tax account use the Department's Application for Registration for Special Events: https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/revenue/documents/taxes/sales/special_events/special_event_vendor_reg.pdf
- The Memphis public assembly application is undated, and no official page was read for park or private-property events; ask the Permits Office, 901-636-6711.
- The Shelby County Health Department temporary event form is undated; confirm fees with Environmental Health, 901-222-9158.
- Shelby County's Transient Vendor page and Flea Markets page are undated and the page does not say which applies to a vendor at an organizer-run craft market; ask the Shelby County Clerk's Business Tax Division (901-222-2300, transient vendor line 901-222-3059).
Common questions.
Do I need a permit to host a vendor market in Memphis?
Public Assembly Permit (City of Memphis Permits Office): The applicant submits a map of the assembly area, a state-issued ID and a signed indemnity and hold harmless agreement. Non-residents must also post a surety bond or deposit equal to 50% of estimated costs.
Do vendors need a license to sell at events in Memphis?
Flea market and craft show operator business tax license and per-booth fee (Shelby County Clerk, Business Tax Division): The operator collects a daily per-booth fee from each exhibitor and sends it to the County Clerk (within 72 hours after a one-off show, or by the 10th of the following month for a continuing market). An exhibitor can hold their own business tax license instead of paying the per-booth fee. Transient Vendor License and Transient Vendor Permit (Shelby County Clerk's Office): Transient vendors obtain both a license and a permit from the County Clerk. The permit expires 14 days after issue and the vendor must re-apply for a new one.
Who handles sales tax at a market in Memphis?
Tennessee special event sales tax registration (Tennessee Department of Revenue): Each vendor registers for sales tax for the specific event: vendors with an existing Tennessee account ask the Department to add the event, and vendors without one submit the Special Event Vendor Registration. Vendors registered only for the event file a return due the 20th of the month after the event ends. For organizers: Tennessee treats the event promoter as a sales tax registrant for each event: the promoter registers the event location and dates with the Department of Revenue (by email, marking the application as Special Event Promoter), receives a letter to hand to every vendor, and files and pays tax on taxable sales.
Do food vendors need a separate permit in Memphis?
Temporary event food permit (Shelby County Health Department, Environmental Health and Food Safety): Each vendor pays for either packaged goods or eating and drinking. Events with fewer than ten food vendors apply with the department two business days ahead; larger events must file all vendor applications and fees ten working business days ahead.
How far ahead should I apply in Memphis?
Public Assembly Permit: File at least 14 business days before the event Temporary event food permit: At least 2 business days before the event (under 10 food vendors); 10 working business days (10 or more food vendors) Flea market and craft show operator business tax license and per-booth fee: Fees for a one-off show due within 72 hours after the event closes Transient Vendor License and Transient Vendor Permit: Permit expires 14 days after it is issued
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: 901-636-6711 (City of Memphis Permits Office)
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://memphistn.gov/download/161/documents-and-applications/8820/public-assembly-application-2
- https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/revenue/documents/taxpayer_education/misc/special-events.pdf
- https://www.shelbytnhealth.com/DocumentCenter/View/3853/TEMPORARY-EVENT-APPLICATION-FORM
- https://www.shelbycountytn.gov/562/Flea-Markets
- https://www.shelbycountytn.gov/571/Transient-Vendor
Collect every vendor permit in one place.
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