# Vendor event permits in Memphis, TN

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.

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

## For the organizer: 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
- Official page: https://memphistn.gov/download/161/documents-and-applications/8820/public-assembly-application-2

## For the organizer: 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
- Official page: https://memphistn.gov/download/161/documents-and-applications/8820/public-assembly-application-2

### 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
- Official page: https://memphistn.gov/download/161/documents-and-applications/8820/public-assembly-application-2

## For vendors: 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
- Official page: https://www.shelbycountytn.gov/562/Flea-Markets

### 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
- Official page: https://www.shelbycountytn.gov/571/Transient-Vendor

## For vendors: 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
- Official page: https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/revenue/documents/taxpayer_education/misc/special-events.pdf

## For vendors: 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)
- Official page: https://www.shelbytnhealth.com/DocumentCenter/View/3853/TEMPORARY-EVENT-APPLICATION-FORM

## 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. (https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/revenue/documents/taxpayer_education/misc/special-events.pdf)

## 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).

## 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

## Sources

- 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

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