Running a vendor market in Nashville.
To run a vendor market in Nashville, the organizer applies for a Metro special event permit when the event uses streets or public property, or to Metro Parks for park events. Food vendors need a Metro Public Health temporary food permit, and vendors register for Tennessee special event sales tax. Some sellers need a Davidson County transient vendor license.
Updated
Event permit.
Special Event Permit
The application asks how many food vendors and food trucks will attend, whether food is cooked on site (grill or propane), and how many tents. Applications filed with less notice are denied automatically, and fees are non-refundable.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- Nashville Department of Transportation (Film and Special Events Permits)
- When
- Festivals, concerts and similar events on streets or public property other than Metro Parks, including events that sell merchandise or food
- Fee
- $785 special event permit; $565 parade permit; $1,350 for both; $160 obstruction permit
- Timing
- Apply no less than 45 days before the event
Parks and public space.
Metro Parks Special Events Application
Events needing Metro Park Board approval (fundraising, amplified sound or alcohol sales) go through the Board, which meets monthly; other events are approved administratively. Fees depend on the park's tier and are set out in the Parks special events fee document.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- Metro Nashville Parks and Recreation
- When
- Any event held in a Metro Park
- Timing
- At least 45 days before the next Park Board meeting for Board-approval events; at least two weeks before the event for administrative approval
Fire safety, tents and cooking.
Fire lane and open-flame vendor list
The event layout must keep a fire lane at least 20 feet wide that emergency vehicles can drive straight through. Applicants must list every vendor, sponsor or other party that will use any type of fire source.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- Metro Nashville Fire Department (via the special event permit)
- When
- Events permitted through the Metro special event permit
Vendor and business licenses.
Transient Vendor License
The permit lasts 14 days and must be obtained before the event; a new one is needed if the event runs past it. The fee depends on whether the site is inside the Urban Service District or in the General Services District.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- Davidson County Clerk
- When
- Sellers of new merchandise with no permanent business location in Tennessee, at a temporary site
- Fee
- $100 inside the Urban Service District; $50 in the General Services District
- Timing
- Obtain the 14-day permit before the event date
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
Food vendors.
Temporary food establishment permit
Each food booth must be an approved enclosure with screened walls, a solid top, a handwashing setup and temperature controls, and cooking booths must also meet the Metro Fire Marshal's requirements. The permit fee is collected in cash during the event.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- Metro Public Health Department, Food Protection Services
- When
- Food vendors at a temporary event such as a festival or fair; no food prepared at home may be sold
- Fee
- $30 per establishment
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.
When to apply.
- Special Event Permit: Apply no less than 45 days before the event
- Metro Parks Special Events Application: At least 45 days before the next Park Board meeting for Board-approval events; at least two weeks before the event for administrative approval
- Transient Vendor License: Obtain the 14-day permit before the event date
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 Nashville, TN?
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 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 Metro Public Health temporary event pamphlet carries a 4/07 revision mark and lists no application deadline. Call Food Protection Services, (615) 340-5620, to confirm the current fee and process; Metro Public Health's Food and Public Facilities Program also lists 615-340-5616.
- Metro's special event permit page applies to streets and public property outside Metro Parks; events held only on private property were not addressed on any official page read, so ask the Special Events office whether a permit is needed.
- The Davidson County Clerk's transient vendor license is defined for sellers of new merchandise; no official page read says whether handmade or used goods are covered.
Common questions.
Do I need a permit to host a vendor market in Nashville?
Special Event Permit (Nashville Department of Transportation (Film and Special Events Permits)): The application asks how many food vendors and food trucks will attend, whether food is cooked on site (grill or propane), and how many tents. Applications filed with less notice are denied automatically, and fees are non-refundable. Metro Parks Special Events Application (Metro Nashville Parks and Recreation): Events needing Metro Park Board approval (fundraising, amplified sound or alcohol sales) go through the Board, which meets monthly; other events are approved administratively. Fees depend on the park's tier and are set out in the Parks special events fee document.
Do vendors need a license to sell at events in Nashville?
Transient Vendor License (Davidson County Clerk): The permit lasts 14 days and must be obtained before the event; a new one is needed if the event runs past it. The fee depends on whether the site is inside the Urban Service District or in the General Services District.
Who handles sales tax at a market in Nashville?
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 Nashville?
Temporary food establishment permit (Metro Public Health Department, Food Protection Services): Each food booth must be an approved enclosure with screened walls, a solid top, a handwashing setup and temperature controls, and cooking booths must also meet the Metro Fire Marshal's requirements. The permit fee is collected in cash during the event.
How far ahead should I apply in Nashville?
Special Event Permit: Apply no less than 45 days before the event Metro Parks Special Events Application: At least 45 days before the next Park Board meeting for Board-approval events; at least two weeks before the event for administrative approval Transient Vendor License: Obtain the 14-day permit before the event date
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: 615-862-5000 (Nashville Department of Transportation, permits)
Every fact on this page comes from these official pages, checked on 2026-10-10. Details change; tell us at hello@bzar.app if something here is out of date.
- https://www.nashville.gov/departments/transportation/permits/film-and-special-events-permits/special-event-permit-application
- https://www.nashville.gov/departments/parks/permits-rentals-and-reservations/special-events
- https://Nashville.gov/departments/county-clerk/business-services/transient-vendor-license
- https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/revenue/documents/taxpayer_education/misc/special-events.pdf
- https://filetransfer.nashville.gov/portals/0/sitecontent/pw/docs/permits/TempEventPamphlet.pdf
Collect every vendor permit in one place.
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