Running a vendor market in New Orleans.
To run a vendor market in New Orleans, the organizer files a Special Event Permit with Safety & Permits (Master Application plus Supplement A) and posts a sales tax bond when 3 or more vendors take part. Vendors need a trade show vendor license, Louisiana and city sales tax registration, and an LDH food permit.
Updated
Event permit.
Special Event Permit (Master Application, Supplement A promoter permits)
Organizers file the Master Application with Supplement A and other supplements the event triggers (tents, safety and security, street closure), plus proof of the right to use the location and a vendor list. Vendors must wait until the promoter has applied before they can apply.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- City of New Orleans Department of Safety & Permits (One Stop)
- When
- Fairs, markets and festivals in the city; almost all events need a promoter occupational license and Mayoralty permit
- Fee
- Per the city's fee sheet dated 3/15/17: promoter special event occupational license $250.25 ($125.25 nonprofit), plus a permit type, e.g. $500.25 for a promoter of a free event with merchandise sales (Transient Vendor Class C; $0.00 nonprofit) or $250.25 for an exhibition charging admission ($125.25 nonprofit)
- Timing
- The guide recommends starting at least 90 days before the event
Parks and public space.
Park, neutral ground and public property use
Neutral ground and NORDC park events use Supplement D; other public property needs written approval from Property Management. On Parks and Parkways property cooking is not allowed and only prepared foods may be served, and no food or drink is allowed at Jackson Square events.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- City of New Orleans (NORDC; Parks and Parkways; Property Management)
- When
- Events on neutral grounds, public green space, NORDC parks, or other public property
Street Closure permit (noncommercial events)
Requires the Master Application plus Supplement B and Supplement G, a petition signed by 100% of residents and property owners on both sides of the block, and approval from the NOPD district captain; only NOPD officers may close a public street. The page covers noncommercial events, so check with the city before planning a commercial market in the street.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- City of New Orleans Department of Public Works, Traffic Division
- When
- Closing a street for an event of noncommercial purposes
- Fee
- Per the 3/15/17 fee sheet: $40.00 application fee ($20.00 nonprofit) plus $90.00 per block on other streets, $310.00 per block in the CBD or $615.00 per block in the French Quarter or Canal Street, plus NOPD detail costs
- Timing
- Allow at least two weeks for processing
Fire safety, tents and cooking.
Tent and canopy permit (Supplement E) and fire watch
Any tent must be inspected; tents over 120 sq ft (larger than 10 ft by 10 ft) must be permitted by the Fire Department, with a flame-resistance certificate and layout plan. The tent form says a fire watch must be provided if cooking is planned, and the fee sheet prices a fire watch at $35 per unit with a $140 minimum.
- Who
- Organizer and vendors
- From
- City of New Orleans Fire Department / Safety & Permits
- When
- Any tent or canopy at the event, including vendor tents
- Fee
- Per the 3/15/17 fee sheet: tents of 120 sq ft or more, 1 to 10 tents $290.00 ($145.00 nonprofit); 11+ tents $690.00 ($345.00 nonprofit)
Vendor and business licenses.
Trade Show Vendor Occupational License (Supplement A)
The license runs January 1 to December 31 and can be used at other events that year. First-time vendors are licensed only when the promoter has put them on the vendor list filed with the Bureau of Revenue and bring a letter from the promoter. Louisiana-resident artists who sell only their own hand-made crafts or art may be exempt from the fee, at the Bureau's discretion.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- City of New Orleans Department of Finance, Bureau of Revenue
- When
- Every vendor at a special event or trade show, including food vendors and food trucks that want to vend beyond normal limits
- Fee
- $50 (guide); $50.25, nonprofit $0.00 (3/15/17 fee sheet)
Sales tax.
Sales tax performance bond for promoters
Promoters of events with 3 or more vendors post a performance bond to secure the sales tax due. The promoter permit page scales the bond by vendor count: $10,000 minimum for 3 to 20 vendors, $500 times the number of vendors for 21 to 39, and $20,000 for 40 or more, and the application also requires the promoter's vendor list.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- City of New Orleans Department of Finance, Bureau of Revenue
- When
- For-profit events with 3 or more participating vendors
- Fee
- $10,000 minimum performance bond (3 to 20 vendors); $500 x vendors (21 to 39); $20,000 maximum (40+)
Louisiana sales tax account for special events (Form R-16019)
Vendors register for a Louisiana revenue account on Form R-16019, marking the special-event boxes, and file the R-1029SE Special Events return. The state page says the state rate is 5% since January 1, 2025, and vendors must also contact local tax authorities for local rates.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- Louisiana Department of Revenue
- When
- Every vendor making retail sales at a special event, resident or not, even if selling once a year
- Timing
- Mail the application at least 2-3 weeks before the event
City of New Orleans sales tax for event vendors and promoters
The guide says vendors and promoters must pay sales tax to the City of New Orleans through the Bureau of Revenue, separately from the state. Vendors selling original art at an event in a Cultural Products District need not pay the city tax but must file a return claiming the exemption.
- Who
- Organizer and vendors
- From
- City of New Orleans Department of Finance, Bureau of Revenue
- When
- Vendors and promoters at special events, trade shows and itinerant vendors selling in the city
Food vendors.
Temporary / special event retail food permit
LDH's guidance says organizers should involve the health department as soon as they begin planning and may need a temporary food permit, and that home-prepared food is not allowed. For a fair or festival requested in writing, the sponsor receives a permit and each approved stand is permitted with no extra fee.
- Who
- Organizer and vendors
- From
- Louisiana Department of Health, Office of Public Health (sanitarians)
- When
- Food served at a temporary event in Orleans Parish; the permit fee sheet has separate lines for a Fair or Festival (written request) and a Special Event/Temporary Permit
- Fee
- $25.00 flat for a Special Event/Temporary Permit; $25.00 flat per event for a Fair or Festival (written request), with no fee collected from each approved stand
What the rules ask of organizers about vendors.
Louisiana's Department of Revenue says promoters of fairs, craft shows, flea markets and similar events must notify the Department of the event and provide a list of all participating vendors, including exempt ones and display-only booths, two weeks before the event. New Orleans additionally requires promoters of events with 3 or more vendors to post a sales tax performance bond.
When to apply.
- Special Event Permit (Master Application, Supplement A promoter permits): The guide recommends starting at least 90 days before the event
- Street Closure permit (noncommercial events): Allow at least two weeks for processing
- Louisiana sales tax account for special events (Form R-16019): Mail the application at least 2-3 weeks before 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 New Orleans, LA?
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 Louisiana Department of Revenue states the state sales tax rate as 5% effective January 1, 2025, and says vendors must also contact local taxing authorities for local rates. The New Orleans pages read on 2026-10-10 do not state a rate, so the combined state and Orleans Parish rate is not confirmed here; ask the Bureau of Revenue (504-658-1630).
- The city's fee sheet is dated 3/15/17 and the special event guide is undated; fees quoted from them may have changed. Confirm with the One Stop (EventPermits@nola.gov, 504-658-7200).
- An older Bureau of Revenue special event application form says applications must be received 30 days before the event, while the guide recommends starting 90 days ahead; use the longer lead time.
- The LDH retail food fee schedule and fundraiser guide are undated; blocked: https://ldh.la.gov/bureau-of-sanitarian-services/retail-food (HTTP 403). Whether a vendor market qualifies as a 'fair or festival' for the festival fee line was not stated; ask the Orleans Parish sanitarian.
- No official page found for a New Orleans noise or entertainment permit threshold for market organizers beyond Supplement F (entertainment); ask the One Stop.
Common questions.
Do I need a permit to host a vendor market in New Orleans?
Special Event Permit (Master Application, Supplement A promoter permits) (City of New Orleans Department of Safety & Permits (One Stop)): Organizers file the Master Application with Supplement A and other supplements the event triggers (tents, safety and security, street closure), plus proof of the right to use the location and a vendor list. Vendors must wait until the promoter has applied before they can apply. Park, neutral ground and public property use (City of New Orleans (NORDC; Parks and Parkways; Property Management)): Neutral ground and NORDC park events use Supplement D; other public property needs written approval from Property Management. On Parks and Parkways property cooking is not allowed and only prepared foods may be served, and no food or drink is allowed at Jackson Square events.
Do vendors need a license to sell at events in New Orleans?
Trade Show Vendor Occupational License (Supplement A) (City of New Orleans Department of Finance, Bureau of Revenue): The license runs January 1 to December 31 and can be used at other events that year. First-time vendors are licensed only when the promoter has put them on the vendor list filed with the Bureau of Revenue and bring a letter from the promoter. Louisiana-resident artists who sell only their own hand-made crafts or art may be exempt from the fee, at the Bureau's discretion.
Who handles sales tax at a market in New Orleans?
Sales tax performance bond for promoters (City of New Orleans Department of Finance, Bureau of Revenue): Promoters of events with 3 or more vendors post a performance bond to secure the sales tax due. The promoter permit page scales the bond by vendor count: $10,000 minimum for 3 to 20 vendors, $500 times the number of vendors for 21 to 39, and $20,000 for 40 or more, and the application also requires the promoter's vendor list. Louisiana sales tax account for special events (Form R-16019) (Louisiana Department of Revenue): Vendors register for a Louisiana revenue account on Form R-16019, marking the special-event boxes, and file the R-1029SE Special Events return. The state page says the state rate is 5% since January 1, 2025, and vendors must also contact local tax authorities for local rates. For organizers: Louisiana's Department of Revenue says promoters of fairs, craft shows, flea markets and similar events must notify the Department of the event and provide a list of all participating vendors, including exempt ones and display-only booths, two weeks before the event. New Orleans additionally requires promoters of events with 3 or more vendors to post a sales tax performance bond.
Do food vendors need a separate permit in New Orleans?
Temporary / special event retail food permit (Louisiana Department of Health, Office of Public Health (sanitarians)): LDH's guidance says organizers should involve the health department as soon as they begin planning and may need a temporary food permit, and that home-prepared food is not allowed. For a fair or festival requested in writing, the sponsor receives a permit and each approved stand is permitted with no extra fee.
How far ahead should I apply in New Orleans?
Special Event Permit (Master Application, Supplement A promoter permits): The guide recommends starting at least 90 days before the event Street Closure permit (noncommercial events): Allow at least two weeks for processing Louisiana sales tax account for special events (Form R-16019): Mail the application at least 2-3 weeks before 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: Department of Safety & Permits, 1340 Poydras St, Suite 800; 504-658-7200 or EventPermits@nola.gov
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://nola.gov/nola/media/One-Stop-Shop/Special%20Events/Special-Event-Permit-Guide-and-Application-Low-Res2.pdf
- https://nola.gov/special-event-permit/
- https://nola.gov/special-event-promoter-permit/
- https://nola.gov/fair-market-festival/
- https://nola.gov/nola/media/One-Stop-Shop/Special%20Events/New-Special-Event-Fees-Public-3-15-17.pdf
- https://nola.gov/street-closure-permit/
- https://nola.gov/event-retail-vendors/
- https://revenue.louisiana.gov/tax-education-and-faqs/faqs/fairs-festivals-and-other-special-events/how-can-i-register-with-the-louisiana-department-of-revenue-if-i-sell-items-at-special-events/
- https://revenue.louisiana.gov/businesses/general-sales-and-use-taxes/special-events-craft-shows-and-trade-shows/
- https://ldh.la.gov/assets/oph/Center-EH/sanitarian/retailfood/RetailFoodPermitFeeSchedule.pdf
- https://ldh.la.gov/assets/oph/Center-EH/sanitarian/retailfood/FundraiserGuide.pdf
Collect every vendor permit in one place.
bzar is free for organizers: vendor applications with required documents, booth payments, tickets and check-in in one dashboard.