Running a vendor market in Mobile.
To run a vendor market in Mobile, the organizer files a free Event Services application (120 days ahead), holds a Special Event Revenue License with a tax bond for vendors' sales taxes, and arranges Mobile County Health Department food permits. Vendors need a City of Mobile business license and an Alabama sales tax license.
Updated
Event permit.
Event Services Application
One application routes the event through the city departments, which then send a quote and invoice for any permits and personnel. Related permits in the fee schedule include block party, road closure and parade permits. Public safety staff costs are charged to the organizer.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- City of Mobile Events Department (Event Services)
- When
- A temporary gathering or organized activity with 100 or more people that involves city property or resources, temporary structures, sound amplification, commercial enterprise, fundraising or animals; the guide says it applies on public or private property
- Fee
- Filing the application is free; separate fees apply, e.g. $5.00 Block Party Permit, $25.00 Road Closure Permit plus personnel costs if needed
- Timing
- Submit no later than 120 days before the event; shorter notice is considered at the city's discretion
Parks and public space.
City park rental (small events only)
The park rental application is only for small gatherings such as birthday parties; anything with sales or fundraising belongs on the Event Services application.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- City of Mobile Parks and Recreation
- When
- Small events under 100 people with no commercial enterprise, fundraising or animals; a vendor market does not qualify and goes through Event Services instead
Fire safety, tents and cooking.
Temporary Structure Permit (tents and canopies)
The organizer applies through the Citizen Self Service portal with a site plan, tent dimensions, installation and removal dates, and the tent's flame-retardant certificate; Fire Code Administration inspects the structure. Vendor tents must be weighted, not staked, at city-run events.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- Build Mobile (City of Mobile permitting), with Fire Code Administration inspection
- When
- Tents, canopies or other temporary structures covering 120 square feet or more
- Fee
- $11.00 Temporary Structure Permit
Other rules.
Event insurance
Required coverage includes commercial general liability of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate with the City of Mobile as additional insured, liquor liability if alcohol is served, and workers' compensation if the event has employees.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- City of Mobile Events Department
- When
- Events approved through Event Services
Vendor and business licenses.
Special Event Revenue License and tax bond
The organizer holds a Special Event Revenue License that covers the taxes due on all sales at the event, and posts a tax bond or certified funds. The Revenue Department gives the organizer a tax envelope for each vendor to hand out, collect and return within ten days of the event, after which the deposit is released.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- City of Mobile Revenue Department
- When
- Any event with revenue, for-profit or not-for-profit
- Fee
- $134.00 for 1-25 vendors, $164.00 for 26-75, $264.00 for 76-125, $314.00 for 125+ (license plus issue fee); $39.00 nonprofit or charitable rate; tax bond $5,000 for up to 75 vendors, $10,000 for 76 or more
- Timing
- Envelopes are returned within 10 days after the event
City of Mobile business license (peddler or food vendor license)
Event vendors need a City of Mobile business license, an annual license that expires December 31. The 2026 vendor guide lists an initial peddlers license and an initial food vendor license, each with a half-year version starting July 1. Food trucks also need Board of Health clearance and a Fire Prevention inspection.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- City of Mobile Revenue Department
- When
- Vendors at City of Mobile events; the city requires a valid business license for any business within the corporate limits and police jurisdiction
- Fee
- Peddlers license $134.00 ($50 license + $70 tax deposit + $14 issue fee); food vendor license $134.00 ($120 + $14); half-year versions from July 1: peddlers $25 license + $70 deposit + $14, food $60 + $14
Sales tax.
Alabama sales tax license (My Alabama Taxes)
Sellers register their retail business with the Department through the My Alabama Taxes portal to get a sales tax license. The Department's rules say peddlers making retail sales must get a license and may be required to post a bond if they have no fixed place of business. The registration page does not describe a separate temporary event license.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- Alabama Department of Revenue
- When
- Vendors making retail sales of tangible goods in Alabama, including peddlers and event vendors
Sales tax on admission to arts and crafts shows
Alabama's rule on places of amusement lists arts and crafts shows and art shows (fairs) as exhibitions whose admission receipts are subject to sales tax, collected separately from the customer. A free-entry market is not addressed by the rule.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- Alabama Department of Revenue
- When
- Ticketed or paid-admission markets, art shows and craft fairs run by private organizers
Food vendors.
Food permit from the Mobile County Health Department
The city guide makes it the organizer's job to contact the health department and obtain the needed food permits before the event, and the vendor guide lists Board of Health clearance for food trucks. State rules require each vendor to hold its own permit.
- Who
- Organizer and vendors
- From
- Mobile County Health Department, Environmental and Inspection Services
- When
- Events advertised to the public that serve food or beverages; also required for food trucks and food vendors at city events
What the rules ask of organizers about vendors.
Mobile requires the organizer of any event with sales to hold a Special Event Revenue License and a tax bond or certified funds, hand each vendor a tax envelope, and return the completed envelopes to the Revenue Department within ten days after the event.
When to apply.
- Event Services Application: Submit no later than 120 days before the event; shorter notice is considered at the city's discretion
- Special Event Revenue License and tax bond: Envelopes are returned within 10 days after the event
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 Mobile, AL?
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 Alabama sales tax registration page and the Department of Revenue admission-tax rule do not state a fee. Whether a given market vendor also needs a state/county privilege license depends on the business category; ask the county probate office or License Commission.
- The city guide gives two tent thresholds: a Temporary Structure Permit for tents of 120 square feet or more (IBC 3103.1.2) and, in the food section, a building permit for tents over 100 square feet secured 30 days before the event. Confirm which applies with Build Mobile (251-208-7602).
- Blocked: https://mchd.org/environmental-health-2/ (HTTP 403), the Mobile County Health Department page linked from the city. Its fees and lead times were not read; call 251-690-8116.
- The vendor fee figures come from the 2026 vendor guide for City-run events and the Event Services Guide is dated 5/14/25; confirm current amounts.
- Mardi Gras has its own peddler badge fees and rules on the Revenue Department page and is not covered here.
Common questions.
Do I need a permit to host a vendor market in Mobile?
Event Services Application (City of Mobile Events Department (Event Services)): One application routes the event through the city departments, which then send a quote and invoice for any permits and personnel. Related permits in the fee schedule include block party, road closure and parade permits. Public safety staff costs are charged to the organizer. City park rental (small events only) (City of Mobile Parks and Recreation): The park rental application is only for small gatherings such as birthday parties; anything with sales or fundraising belongs on the Event Services application.
Do vendors need a license to sell at events in Mobile?
Special Event Revenue License and tax bond (City of Mobile Revenue Department): The organizer holds a Special Event Revenue License that covers the taxes due on all sales at the event, and posts a tax bond or certified funds. The Revenue Department gives the organizer a tax envelope for each vendor to hand out, collect and return within ten days of the event, after which the deposit is released. City of Mobile business license (peddler or food vendor license) (City of Mobile Revenue Department): Event vendors need a City of Mobile business license, an annual license that expires December 31. The 2026 vendor guide lists an initial peddlers license and an initial food vendor license, each with a half-year version starting July 1. Food trucks also need Board of Health clearance and a Fire Prevention inspection.
Who handles sales tax at a market in Mobile?
Alabama sales tax license (My Alabama Taxes) (Alabama Department of Revenue): Sellers register their retail business with the Department through the My Alabama Taxes portal to get a sales tax license. The Department's rules say peddlers making retail sales must get a license and may be required to post a bond if they have no fixed place of business. The registration page does not describe a separate temporary event license. Sales tax on admission to arts and crafts shows (Alabama Department of Revenue): Alabama's rule on places of amusement lists arts and crafts shows and art shows (fairs) as exhibitions whose admission receipts are subject to sales tax, collected separately from the customer. A free-entry market is not addressed by the rule. For organizers: Mobile requires the organizer of any event with sales to hold a Special Event Revenue License and a tax bond or certified funds, hand each vendor a tax envelope, and return the completed envelopes to the Revenue Department within ten days after the event.
Do food vendors need a separate permit in Mobile?
Food permit from the Mobile County Health Department (Mobile County Health Department, Environmental and Inspection Services): The city guide makes it the organizer's job to contact the health department and obtain the needed food permits before the event, and the vendor guide lists Board of Health clearance for food trucks. State rules require each vendor to hold its own permit.
How far ahead should I apply in Mobile?
Event Services Application: Submit no later than 120 days before the event; shorter notice is considered at the city's discretion Special Event Revenue License and tax bond: Envelopes are returned within 10 days after the event
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: Event Services 251-208-1552
Every fact on this page comes from these official pages, checked on 2026-10-11. Details change; tell us at hello@bzar.app if something here is out of date.
- https://cityofmobile.org/eventservices
- https://www.cityofmobile.gov/uploads/250515104915CityofMobileEventsPermittingGuide-5.14.25.pdf
- https://www.cityofmobile.org/events/uploads/CityEvents2026VendorRegistrationFeeGuide_095821.pdf
- https://workwith.cityofmobile.org/taxes-and-business-licenses
- https://www.revenue.alabama.gov/faqs/how-do-i-apply-or-register-for-a-sales-tax-number/
- https://www.revenue.alabama.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Sales_Use_Rulebook.pdf
- https://www.revenue.alabama.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/810-6-1-.125.pdf
- https://www.alabamapublichealth.gov/foodsafety/temp-events.html
Collect every vendor permit in one place.
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