# Vendor event permits in Montgomery County, MD

In Montgomery County, MD, an organizer of a public vendor market applies to the Department of Permitting Services for a Special Event permit at least 30 days ahead. Food vendors need a Special Food Event license from the county health department. Vendors need a Maryland trader's license and a sales tax license, and the Comptroller requires promoters to collect them.

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

## For the organizer: Event permit

### Special Event Permit
Organizers apply online in DPS eServices with a site plan. DPS holds a pre-event coordination meeting within two business days, then routes the plan to alcohol, health, transportation, police and DPS zoning, electrical and fire-safety reviewers before issuing the permit. The application fee is not stated on the pages read.
- Who: organizer
- From: Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services (DPS)
- When: Public events run by an organization (fairs, festivals, concerts and similar) that draw participants or spectators and affect public streets, sidewalks or neighboring properties. Indoor events also need a valid Use and Occupancy Certificate and Fire Code Compliance Permit.
- Timing: Apply at least 30 days prior to the event
- Official page: https://assets.montgomerycountymd.gov/files/2026-04/specialeventguidanceinfo.pdf

## For vendors: Vendor and business licenses

### Trader's License (or Exhibitor's Affidavit)
The Comptroller's license bureau says a trader's license from the Clerk of the Circuit Court is required, along with a sales tax account, and the license year runs May 1 to April 30. A copy of the license or affidavit must be shown to the promoter before the show and displayed during it. Fees are not listed on this page.
- Who: vendors
- From: Montgomery County, Clerk of the Circuit Court (statewide rules enforced by the Comptroller's License Bureau)
- When: Anyone selling goods in Maryland other than a grower or manufacturer. Exhibitors at a show do not need their own trader's license when the show is promoted by an exempt entity the Comptroller lists (for example a church, government agency or volunteer fire department), or when they give the promoter an Exhibitor's Affidavit saying they get under 10 percent of annual income from like goods at the show. Either way they must not have done more than three shows in the previous 365 days.
- Official page: https://www.marylandcomptroller.gov/businesses/new-business/business-licenses.html

### Transient Vendor License (roadside or temporary sales)
Free, valid for 90 days, and issued only to holders of a Maryland sales and use tax license. It must be displayed when selling, and a local trader's license from the Clerk of the Circuit Court may also be needed.
- Who: vendors
- From: Comptroller of Maryland
- When: Sellers at a roadside or other temporary location. The Comptroller says this does not apply to exhibitors at fairs, trade shows and flea markets.
- Fee: Free; valid for 90 days
- Official page: https://services.marylandcomptroller.gov/taxes?id=kb_article_view&sysparm_article=KB0010143

## For vendors: Sales tax

### Temporary Sales and Use Tax License (30 days)
A vendor emails the event date, name and location plus business details to the Comptroller's temporary license desk (or calls 410-767-1543 or 410-767-5462) and collects the 6 percent or 9 percent Maryland sales and use tax, as the Comptroller states. Vendors at three or more events a year should register for a permanent license through Maryland Tax Connect.
- Who: vendors
- From: Comptroller of Maryland
- When: Vendors without a permanent Maryland sales and use tax license who sell at one-time events such as craft shows and fairs. Maryland has one statewide rate and no local sales taxes.
- Timing: Temporary license is valid for 30 days
- Official page: https://services.marylandcomptroller.gov/taxes?id=kb_article_view&sysparm_article=KB0010107

### Flea market and show sales are taxable
The Comptroller says sales at flea markets are subject to the 6 percent sales and use tax like other retail sales, and a seller must hold a license before collecting it. A 30-day permit is available by phone from the Special Events Section at 410-767-1543 or 410-767-1531; frequent sellers should get a permanent license through the Combined Registration Application.
- Who: vendors
- From: Comptroller of Maryland
- When: Vendors at flea markets and similar markets, including nonprofits and private individuals (casual and isolated sales under $1,000 and a few other sales are exempt).
- Official page: https://services.marylandcomptroller.gov/taxes?id=kb_article_view&sysparm_article=KB0010150

## For vendors: Food vendors

### Special Food Event License
Apply through the CivicGov portal or by mailing or faxing the PDF form, with a menu and site diagram (plus an IRS letter for nonprofits). The county says it responds within 10 to 14 business days, then an inspector is assigned, and licenses cannot be transferred between people or locations.
- Who: organizer and vendors
- From: Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services, Licensure & Regulatory Services
- When: Anyone selling or giving away food or drink at a temporary event of up to 30 consecutive days at a fixed location. The only exception named is fresh produce or live crustaceans.
- Timing: Submit at least three working days before the event; allow 10 to 14 business days for approval
- Official page: https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/department-health-human-services/about-us/licensure-regulatory-services/environmental-health-unit/special-food-event-license

### Special food event license fees
The county fee schedule prices temporary event licenses by food type and nonprofit status, with a late fee for last-minute filings. The schedule page shows no effective date.
- Who: vendors
- From: Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services
- When: Food vendors at special events, by license type.
- Fee: For-profit, potentially hazardous or open food: $70 per license at an event; pre-packaged non-hazardous food: $40 first license, $35 each additional; non-profit: $30 hazardous or $15 non-hazardous; late fee $30
- Official page: https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/department-health-human-services/about-us/licensure-regulatory-services/fee-schedule

## What the rules ask of organizers about vendors

A show promoter may not let an exhibitor take part unless the exhibitor has given a photocopy of a valid Trader's License or an Exhibitor's Affidavit before the show. Exhibitors must display it, and the promoter must forward all Exhibitor Affidavits to the Comptroller's State License Bureau within seven days after the show. Non-compliance is a misdemeanor with a fine up to $100 or up to 30 days in jail. (https://www.marylandcomptroller.gov/businesses/new-business/business-licenses.html)

## Where the sources are unclear

- Maryland rules on sales tax, trader's licenses and promoter duties come from the Comptroller of Maryland and apply statewide. The promoter rules are written for shows and exhibitors; confirm with the Comptroller's License Bureau that your vendor market counts as a show.
- Late-fee conflict: the DHHS license page says to apply at least three working days before the event, while the fee schedule describes the $30 late fee for applications received less than two business days before. Apply early.
- The DPS process page defines a special event as an activity open to the public and operated by an organization, and says other permits may be needed from DHHS (food), Alcohol Beverage Services, MCDOT and Community Use of Public Facilities. It does not state a permit threshold for private-property markets; ask DPS.
- No official page found for tent or propane fire permits for temporary events as of 2026-10-10; ask the Montgomery County Fire Prevention and Code Compliance office. No official Montgomery County peddler or vendor license page was found; vendors rely on the Maryland trader's license.

## Questions

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

Special Event Permit (Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services (DPS)): Organizers apply online in DPS eServices with a site plan. DPS holds a pre-event coordination meeting within two business days, then routes the plan to alcohol, health, transportation, police and DPS zoning, electrical and fire-safety reviewers before issuing the permit. The application fee is not stated on the pages read.

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

Trader's License (or Exhibitor's Affidavit) (Montgomery County, Clerk of the Circuit Court (statewide rules enforced by the Comptroller's License Bureau)): The Comptroller's license bureau says a trader's license from the Clerk of the Circuit Court is required, along with a sales tax account, and the license year runs May 1 to April 30. A copy of the license or affidavit must be shown to the promoter before the show and displayed during it. Fees are not listed on this page. Transient Vendor License (roadside or temporary sales) (Comptroller of Maryland): Free, valid for 90 days, and issued only to holders of a Maryland sales and use tax license. It must be displayed when selling, and a local trader's license from the Clerk of the Circuit Court may also be needed.

**Who handles sales tax at a market in Montgomery County?**

Temporary Sales and Use Tax License (30 days) (Comptroller of Maryland): A vendor emails the event date, name and location plus business details to the Comptroller's temporary license desk (or calls 410-767-1543 or 410-767-5462) and collects the 6 percent or 9 percent Maryland sales and use tax, as the Comptroller states. Vendors at three or more events a year should register for a permanent license through Maryland Tax Connect. Flea market and show sales are taxable (Comptroller of Maryland): The Comptroller says sales at flea markets are subject to the 6 percent sales and use tax like other retail sales, and a seller must hold a license before collecting it. A 30-day permit is available by phone from the Special Events Section at 410-767-1543 or 410-767-1531; frequent sellers should get a permanent license through the Combined Registration Application. For organizers: A show promoter may not let an exhibitor take part unless the exhibitor has given a photocopy of a valid Trader's License or an Exhibitor's Affidavit before the show. Exhibitors must display it, and the promoter must forward all Exhibitor Affidavits to the Comptroller's State License Bureau within seven days after the show. Non-compliance is a misdemeanor with a fine up to $100 or up to 30 days in jail.

**Do food vendors need a separate permit in Montgomery County?**

Special Food Event License (Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services, Licensure & Regulatory Services): Apply through the CivicGov portal or by mailing or faxing the PDF form, with a menu and site diagram (plus an IRS letter for nonprofits). The county says it responds within 10 to 14 business days, then an inspector is assigned, and licenses cannot be transferred between people or locations. Special food event license fees (Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services): The county fee schedule prices temporary event licenses by food type and nonprofit status, with a late fee for last-minute filings. The schedule page shows no effective date.

**How far ahead should I apply in Montgomery County?**

Special Event Permit: Apply at least 30 days prior to the event Special Food Event License: Submit at least three working days before the event; allow 10 to 14 business days for approval Temporary Sales and Use Tax License (30 days): Temporary license is valid for 30 days

## Sources

- https://assets.montgomerycountymd.gov/files/2026-04/specialeventguidanceinfo.pdf
- https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/department-health-human-services/about-us/licensure-regulatory-services/environmental-health-unit/special-food-event-license
- https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/department-health-human-services/about-us/licensure-regulatory-services/fee-schedule
- https://www.marylandcomptroller.gov/businesses/new-business/business-licenses.html
- https://services.marylandcomptroller.gov/taxes?id=kb_article_view&sysparm_article=KB0010143
- https://services.marylandcomptroller.gov/taxes?id=kb_article_view&sysparm_article=KB0010107
- https://services.marylandcomptroller.gov/taxes?id=kb_article_view&sysparm_article=KB0010150

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