# Vendor event permits in Minneapolis, MN

To run a vendor market in Minneapolis, the organizer needs a city flea market license or block event permit, an event food sponsor permit if food is served, and each seller's Minnesota tax ID certificate (Form ST19). Vendors register for Minnesota sales tax, and food vendors need short term food permits. Confirm with each office.

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

## For the organizer: Event permit

### Commercial block event permit
A commercial block event needs insurance of at least $1,000,000, barricades and traffic control from an approved plan, security from an approved security plan, and a cleanup deposit. Events may run 6:00 to 10:30 p.m. on weekdays and 8:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. on weekends and legal holidays, and alcohol, food and amplified sound need their own permits.
- Who: organizer
- From: City of Minneapolis Business Licenses and Consumer Services
- When: Events open to the public held on a blocked part of a street or alley in a business district. Residential streets use a separate residential block event permit.
- Fee: $300 for block events in the business district; $1,850 for large events of 2,500 or more people; security deposit $200 (small) or $800 (large)
- Timing: 14 days before the event; 60 days for large events
- Official page: https://www.minneapolismn.gov/business-services/licenses-permits-inspections/special-temporary-events/block/commercial/

### Temporary use permit
The city says some assembly and amusement gatherings may qualify for a temporary use permit, covering temporary structures such as community festivals and produce stands. It does not say whether an outdoor market on private property needs one, so confirm with Development Review.
- Who: organizer
- From: City of Minneapolis Development Review
- When: Seasonal or temporary structures and uses, such as community festivals, produce stands and temporary promotions by permanent businesses.
- Fee: $170
- Official page: https://www.minneapolismn.gov/business-services/licenses-permits-inspections/special-temporary-events/temporary-use/

## For the organizer: Parks and public space

### Park use and events permit
The Park Board requires a permit for larger or paid gatherings, a $1,500,000 general liability certificate naming the Board as additional insured, and review by staff within 14 business days. Fees vary by event and are not quoted on the page.
- Who: organizer
- From: Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board
- When: Gatherings of 50 or more people on park land, or any smaller gathering with registration or money changing hands.
- Timing: Obtain the permit at least 10 days before the event; returning events may apply 365 days ahead, new events 335 days ahead
- Official page: https://www.minneapolisparks.org/rentals-permits/park_use__events_permits/

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

### Tent permit
Minneapolis requires a permit for any tent or canopy, with extra electrical, mechanical or plumbing permits if the tent has cords or lights, piping or water. Tents must meet the Minnesota State Fire Code, Chapter 31.
- Who: organizer
- From: City of Minneapolis Development Review
- When: Any tent, canopy or membrane structure. Tents up for less than 180 days use a special event permit; storage or sales in a tent uses a temporary use permit.
- Official page: https://www.minneapolismn.gov/business-services/licenses-permits-inspections/special-temporary-events/tents/

### Propane permit
A special event permit is required for temporary propane use. Containers must be outside with valves pointed away from the structure, set back at least 10 feet if 500 gallons or less (25 feet if larger), and the city must approve the location.
- Who: organizer and vendors
- From: City of Minneapolis Development Review
- When: Temporary LP gas (propane) equipment used at an event, such as tent heating or special effects.
- Official page: https://www.minneapolismn.gov/business-services/licenses-permits-inspections/special-temporary-events/propane/

## For vendors: Vendor and business licenses

### Flea market license
The city requires a license to sell arts, crafts, antiques or secondhand goods at temporary markets. Goods sold at public or farmers markets, books, coins and stamps, and arts and crafts at block events without secondhand goods do not need it. The page does not say whether the market operator or each seller applies.
- Who: organizer and vendors
- From: City of Minneapolis Business Licenses and Consumer Services
- When: A temporary sale of arts, crafts, antiques or used items (flea markets, exhibitions, temporary markets). Each location needs its own license and a market must have at least 10 vendors.
- Official page: https://www.minneapolismn.gov/business-services/licenses-permits-inspections/special-temporary-events/flea-market/

### Transient merchant (merchandise) license
Transient merchants may need a license and get an ID badge. Selling or giving away food or beverages also requires a short term food permit.
- Who: vendors
- From: City of Minneapolis Business Licenses and Consumer Services
- When: Selling goods at a temporary location or giving away items at an event. Solicitors only register; non-commercial advocates need no license.
- Timing: Apply at least 14 business days before the event
- Official page: https://www.minneapolismn.gov/business-services/licenses-permits-inspections/special-temporary-events/merchandise/

## For vendors: Sales tax

### Minnesota sales tax registration and Operator Certificate of Compliance (ST19)
Sellers must be registered to collect Minnesota sales tax and any local taxes before the event starts. Certain individuals who sell at one event per year of no more than three days with $500 or less in sales can skip registration by giving the operator a written statement. Booth space rentals are not taxable; admission to selling events is not taxable.
- Who: organizer and vendors
- From: Minnesota Department of Revenue
- When: Anyone, including promoters and operators, making taxable sales at a flea market, craft show, antique show, county fair or similar event.
- Timing: Register before the event begins
- Official page: https://www.revenue.state.mn.us/sites/default/files/2023-04/fs148.pdf

## For vendors: Food vendors

### Event food sponsor permit
The sponsor submits its application and all short term vendors' applications and fees together. Selling food without the permit results in closure and a fine.
- Who: organizer
- From: Minneapolis Health Department
- When: Public events, including ticketed events, that sell or give away food or beverages (including samples). Private events do not need food permits.
- Fee: $100 for 1 to 10 vendors, $194 for 11 to 20 vendors, $289 for 21 or more; half at the Minneapolis Convention Center; plus a $50 statewide hospitality fee; fees double for late applications
- Timing: Submit applications two weeks before the first day of the event
- Official page: https://www.minneapolismn.gov/business-services/licenses-permits-inspections/special-temporary-events/food-beverages/event-food-sponsor-permit/

### Short term food permit
Vendors give their application to the event food sponsor, who submits it. Vendors may not need it if they hold a Minneapolis food truck license, seasonal food vendor permit, or are cottage food or product-of-the-farm exempt.
- Who: vendors
- From: Minneapolis Health Department
- When: Food and beverage vendors at a public event, invited by an event food sponsor. Vendors at two or more events need a seasonal permit instead.
- Fee: $100 for each public event in Minneapolis; $50 at the Minneapolis Convention Center; plus a $50 statewide hospitality fee; fees double for late applications
- Timing: Application due at least two weeks before the event
- Official page: https://www.minneapolismn.gov/business-services/licenses-permits-inspections/special-temporary-events/food-beverages/short-term-food-permit/

## What the rules ask of organizers about vendors

Minnesota law says that before an operator of a craft show, art fair, flea market or similar event rents space to a seller, the operator must have proof the seller is registered for Minnesota sales tax, or a written statement that no taxable items are sold or that the seller qualifies for the isolated and occasional exemption. Sellers use Form ST19 (Operator Certificate of Compliance). Operators keep the forms for at least three and a half years and can be fined $100 per noncompliant seller per day. (https://www.revenue.state.mn.us/sites/default/files/2023-04/fs148.pdf)

## Where the sources are unclear

- The state sales tax fact sheet (FS148) shows a revision date of September 2018 on a file published April 2023; confirm current rules with the Department of Revenue (651-282-5225 for registration).
- The city's flea market and merchandise license pages direct readers to a fee schedule rather than stating a fee, and the flea market page does not say who must hold the license.
- The special events overview page (updated September 3, 2026) lists permit types but not whether a market on private property needs a city special event permit; ask Business Licenses at 612-673-2080.
- The Minneapolis Park Board's events fee schedule PDF was not read, so park permit fees are not recorded.

## Questions

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

Commercial block event permit (City of Minneapolis Business Licenses and Consumer Services): A commercial block event needs insurance of at least $1,000,000, barricades and traffic control from an approved plan, security from an approved security plan, and a cleanup deposit. Events may run 6:00 to 10:30 p.m. on weekdays and 8:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. on weekends and legal holidays, and alcohol, food and amplified sound need their own permits. Temporary use permit (City of Minneapolis Development Review): The city says some assembly and amusement gatherings may qualify for a temporary use permit, covering temporary structures such as community festivals and produce stands. It does not say whether an outdoor market on private property needs one, so confirm with Development Review.

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

Flea market license (City of Minneapolis Business Licenses and Consumer Services): The city requires a license to sell arts, crafts, antiques or secondhand goods at temporary markets. Goods sold at public or farmers markets, books, coins and stamps, and arts and crafts at block events without secondhand goods do not need it. The page does not say whether the market operator or each seller applies. Transient merchant (merchandise) license (City of Minneapolis Business Licenses and Consumer Services): Transient merchants may need a license and get an ID badge. Selling or giving away food or beverages also requires a short term food permit.

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

Minnesota sales tax registration and Operator Certificate of Compliance (ST19) (Minnesota Department of Revenue): Sellers must be registered to collect Minnesota sales tax and any local taxes before the event starts. Certain individuals who sell at one event per year of no more than three days with $500 or less in sales can skip registration by giving the operator a written statement. Booth space rentals are not taxable; admission to selling events is not taxable. For organizers: Minnesota law says that before an operator of a craft show, art fair, flea market or similar event rents space to a seller, the operator must have proof the seller is registered for Minnesota sales tax, or a written statement that no taxable items are sold or that the seller qualifies for the isolated and occasional exemption. Sellers use Form ST19 (Operator Certificate of Compliance). Operators keep the forms for at least three and a half years and can be fined $100 per noncompliant seller per day.

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

Event food sponsor permit (Minneapolis Health Department): The sponsor submits its application and all short term vendors' applications and fees together. Selling food without the permit results in closure and a fine. Short term food permit (Minneapolis Health Department): Vendors give their application to the event food sponsor, who submits it. Vendors may not need it if they hold a Minneapolis food truck license, seasonal food vendor permit, or are cottage food or product-of-the-farm exempt.

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

Commercial block event permit: 14 days before the event; 60 days for large events Transient merchant (merchandise) license: Apply at least 14 business days before the event Park use and events permit: Obtain the permit at least 10 days before the event; returning events may apply 365 days ahead, new events 335 days ahead Minnesota sales tax registration and Operator Certificate of Compliance (ST19): Register before the event begins Event food sponsor permit: Submit applications two weeks before the first day of the event Short term food permit: Application due at least two weeks before the event

## Sources

- https://www.minneapolismn.gov/business-services/licenses-permits-inspections/special-temporary-events/block/commercial/
- https://www.minneapolismn.gov/business-services/licenses-permits-inspections/special-temporary-events/temporary-use/
- https://www.minneapolismn.gov/business-services/licenses-permits-inspections/special-temporary-events/flea-market/
- https://www.minneapolismn.gov/business-services/licenses-permits-inspections/special-temporary-events/merchandise/
- https://www.minneapolisparks.org/rentals-permits/park_use__events_permits/
- https://www.revenue.state.mn.us/sites/default/files/2023-04/fs148.pdf
- https://www.minneapolismn.gov/business-services/licenses-permits-inspections/special-temporary-events/food-beverages/event-food-sponsor-permit/
- https://www.minneapolismn.gov/business-services/licenses-permits-inspections/special-temporary-events/food-beverages/short-term-food-permit/
- https://www.minneapolismn.gov/business-services/licenses-permits-inspections/special-temporary-events/tents/
- https://www.minneapolismn.gov/business-services/licenses-permits-inspections/special-temporary-events/propane/

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