Permits: Montgomery, AL

Running a vendor market in Montgomery.

In Montgomery, AL, organizers apply to the city's Special Events Department for a Public Assembly/Special Event permit (334-625-2105), and vendors need a city business license from License and Revenue, including a no-physical-location license for out-of-town sellers. Food vendors need a Montgomery County Health Department temporary food permit, and vendors register for Alabama sales tax.

Updated October 11, 2026

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For the organizer

Event permit.

Public Assembly / Special Event Permit

The Special Events Department accepts and processes public assembly and special event permits, and the city's apply-for page leads to an online event application. Call the department to learn which permit fits a vendor market and what it costs.

Who: Organizer
From: City of Montgomery Special Events Department
When: Public assemblies and special events in the city; the city's pages do not list size thresholds, fees or lead times

Official page

For your vendors

Vendor and business licenses.

Business License Application - No Physical Location

The License and Revenue Division issues the legal authorization to operate in the city, with a form for non-local and home-based businesses. New applicants show current US-issued photo ID. The page does not mention a temporary event vendor license and states no fee.

Who: Vendors
From: City of Montgomery License and Revenue Division
When: Businesses without a physical location in Montgomery, including non-local businesses and home-based businesses; businesses with a commercial address use a separate application and need a Certificate of Occupancy

Official page

For your vendors

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

Official page

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

Official page

For your vendors

Food vendors.

Temporary food service permit (Temporary Food Service Event Guidelines)

Each concession unit gets a permit after an approval inspection of the stand and a completed application with the fee. Local merchants who already hold a Food Service Establishment Permit can take part without the extra fee if they follow the same rules. Home-prepared food and ice may not be sold or used.

Who: Organizer and vendors
From: Montgomery County Health Department, Environmental Health
When: Concessions preparing or selling unpackaged food at a community-wide event lasting no more than 14 days; prepackaged non-hazardous items such as canned drinks, chips and candy bars need no permit
Fee: $10.00 per day per concession unit with a $30.00 minimum; maximum $140.00 for a 14-day event

Official page

On bzar

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.

For vendors

Selling at markets in Montgomery, 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.

Check with the agency

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 Montgomery County Health Department guidance is undated. Questions about temporary events: (334) 293-6452.
The special event application opens on cityofmontgomery.seamlessdocs.com and was not completed or read further. The License and Revenue page also lists a city Sales Tax Application Form separate from the state's; ask License and Revenue whether event vendors must register for city sales tax. Special Events Department: 334-625-2105.

Questions

Common questions.

Do I need a permit to host a vendor market in Montgomery?

Public Assembly / Special Event Permit (City of Montgomery Special Events Department): The Special Events Department accepts and processes public assembly and special event permits, and the city's apply-for page leads to an online event application. Call the department to learn which permit fits a vendor market and what it costs.

Do vendors need a license to sell at events in Montgomery?

Business License Application - No Physical Location (City of Montgomery License and Revenue Division): The License and Revenue Division issues the legal authorization to operate in the city, with a form for non-local and home-based businesses. New applicants show current US-issued photo ID. The page does not mention a temporary event vendor license and states no fee.

Who handles sales tax at a market in Montgomery?

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.

Do food vendors need a separate permit in Montgomery?

Temporary food service permit (Temporary Food Service Event Guidelines) (Montgomery County Health Department, Environmental Health): Each concession unit gets a permit after an approval inspection of the stand and a completed application with the fee. Local merchants who already hold a Food Service Establishment Permit can take part without the extra fee if they follow the same rules. Home-prepared food and ice may not be sold or used.

Keep reading.

Permits in Birmingham, ALPermits in Huntsville, ALPermits in Mobile, ALAlabama state rules: sales tax and cottage foodPermit checklist for MontgomeryWhat event permits cost across US citiesCollecting vendor insurance and permitsHow to host a vendor eventVendor application form template

Sources

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: Montgomery Special Events Department, 334-625-2105

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.

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