Permits: Norfolk, VA

Running a vendor market in Norfolk.

To run a vendor market in Norfolk, an organizer applies to SevenVenues for an event permit on city property (30 to 120 days ahead) or to City Planning for private property, plus a Fire Marshal permit for tents. Vendors need a Norfolk business license or $50 Special Event Business License, and food vendors a $40 health permit.

Updated October 11, 2026

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For the organizer

Event permit.

Open Air Event Permit (events on City property)

Organizers file a small (0-199 attendees) or large (200 or more) permit application with the application fee and supporting documents such as a site map and insurance certificate; a permit issues once fees and department approvals are done. Fees must be paid at least 10 business days before the event.

Who: Organizer
From: City of Norfolk SevenVenues (Parks and Recreation handles community parks)
When: Events open to the public on City-owned property, including streets, sidewalks, parks and open space; also any event on City property in the Downtown Improvement District or on a City street. Invitation-only private events in community parks use a Parks and Recreation facility use application instead.
Fee: Application fee $25 resident / $50 non-resident; sidewalk or lane closure permit $50; street closure permit $100; open space rental per day: small event $50 resident / $100 non-resident, large event $100 / $200
Timing: Open space: 30 days (0-199 attendees), 60 days (200-999), 90 days (1,000-4,999), 120 days (5,000+); block party or street festival 30 days

Official page

Public Event / Private Property permit

A property owner may apply for four special events a year and cannot hold a Conditional Use Permit. The Planning page limits festivals, bazaars and outdoor sales to 14 days a year in most zoning districts (60 days a year, seven consecutive, in Pedestrian Commercial Overlay districts) and flea markets to 14 days a year on public-agency or registered nonprofit property.

Who: Organizer
From: City of Norfolk Department of City Planning
When: Temporary events on private property such as sales events, bazaars and festivals. The permit is needed only for open-to-the-public events with entertainment or alcohol and more than 25 attendees; events without alcohol or entertainment file a no-fee notice instead.
Fee: $25 for events with alcohol or entertainment, if submitted up to 15 days before the event; no fee for events without them
Timing: Submit 15 days before the event

Official page

For the organizer

Fire safety, tents and cooking.

Fire Marshal operational permit for tents and temporary structures

Each temporary structure needs an operational permit and inspection, and a Fire Marshal site inspection on set-up day finalizes approval. Tents must be labeled flame resistant, kept 20 feet from lot lines, buildings and other tents unless approved, and equipped with fire extinguishers; the guidelines also cover propane, generators and cooking.

Who: Organizer
From: City of Norfolk Fire Marshal's Office
When: Tents and membrane structures over 200 square feet and other temporary special event structures at festivals and outdoor assemblies
Fee: $25.00 per temporary structure

Official page

For the organizer

Other rules.

Event insurance and alcohol licensing

If required, the organizer buys the insurance, names the City as an additional insured and delivers the certificate to Special Events at least 10 business days ahead. Where alcohol is allowed, the event needs a Virginia ABC license and liquor liability coverage.

Who: Organizer
From: City of Norfolk SevenVenues; Virginia ABC
When: Events on City property, when insurance is required for the event type, activities and attendance; alcohol is not permitted in City open space

Official page

For your vendors

Vendor and business licenses.

Special Event Business License (or active Norfolk business license)

The vendor must first be accepted by the event organizer, who sends the Commissioner a vendor list; then the vendor applies, with Treasurer approval, and must be current on city taxes. The license covers other special events in Norfolk for the year and is labeled food or non-food; food vendors also collect the City meal tax and entertainment sellers an admissions tax.

Who: Vendors
From: City of Norfolk Commissioner of the Revenue
When: Anyone selling food or merchandise at a special event in Norfolk. Since 2025, businesses with an active Norfolk business license can show it instead. Event organizers and nonprofits usually do not need one but should confirm.
Fee: $50 per year; meal tax 6.5% on prepared food; admissions tax 10%
Timing: Applications and payment at least 7 business days before the event

Official page

For your vendors

Sales tax.

Temporary Sales Tax Certificate/Return (Form ST-50)

The vendor collects sales tax at the rate of the locality where the event is held and files the ST-50 with payment by the 20th of the month after the event. The form lists a 5.3% general rate and 6% in the Northern Virginia, Hampton Roads and Central Virginia regions.

Who: Vendors
From: Virginia Department of Taxation (Virginia Tax)
When: Vendors without a permanent Virginia sales tax account who sell taxable goods at a show, fair or event
Timing: Return due on or before the 20th of the month following the show

Official page

Permanent sales tax account for frequent event sellers

Virginia Tax says vendors at more than three events a year must register a sales tax account, and seasonal sellers can register as a seasonal business so they file only for the months they sell. Registration is done online through Virginia Tax's business registration page.

Who: Vendors
From: Virginia Department of Taxation (Virginia Tax)
When: Vendors who sell at events regularly. Virginia Tax's festival-season page says more than 3 events a year; the ST-50 form says 3 or more shows a year

Official page

Fairs and flea markets are not "occasional sales" (23VAC10-210-570)

The regulation says sellers at fairs and flea markets must hold a certificate of registration and collect and remit tax, with no distinction between profit and nonprofit vendors, and they cannot use the occasional-sale exemption. It also lets the Department authorize a sponsor or operator to remit the tax for the vendors.

Who: Organizer and vendors
From: Virginia Department of Taxation (Virginia Tax)
When: Anyone selling tangible goods at a fair, flea market, carnival or circus, including nonprofits

Official page

For your vendors

Food vendors.

Temporary Food Establishment (TFE) permit

VDH issues the permit through the local health department where the booth operates, after a pre-operational inspection. Event coordinators can file an Event Coordinator Application telling the health department the dates, number of food vendors and water and wastewater arrangements.

Who: Organizer and vendors
From: Virginia Department of Health, Norfolk Health Department (Environmental Health)
When: Food vendors at a temporary event of no more than 14 consecutive days; SevenVenues tells event organizers that all food and beverage vendors need a temporary health permit
Fee: $40
Timing: Application and fee at least ten calendar days before the TFE operates; coordinator application at least 10 calendar days before the event

Official page

Organizer duty

What the rules ask of organizers about vendors.

Norfolk's Commissioner of the Revenue asks event organizers to send a vendor list (name and details of every vendor selling food or merchandise) as soon as the event is known, using the City's Vendor Information Sheet, so vendors can be licensed before the event. Vendors not on the organizer's list cannot get a Special Event Business License. State rules for event sellers' sales tax are in Virginia's fairs and flea markets regulation.

Official page

Timeline

When to apply.

Open Air Event Permit (events on City property): Open space: 30 days (0-199 attendees), 60 days (200-999), 90 days (1,000-4,999), 120 days (5,000+); block party or street festival 30 days
Public Event / Private Property permit: Submit 15 days before the event
Special Event Business License (or active Norfolk business license): Applications and payment at least 7 business days before the event
Temporary Sales Tax Certificate/Return (Form ST-50): Return due on or before the 20th of the month following the show
Temporary Food Establishment (TFE) permit: Application and fee at least ten calendar days before the TFE operates; coordinator application at least 10 calendar days before the event

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 Norfolk, VA?

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 Commissioner's organizer letter is a Word file at https://www.norfolk.gov/DocumentCenter/View/89683; it asks organizers to email the vendor list to corbt@norfolk.gov and says allowing advance notice helps vendors clear any past-due city taxes.
The Open Air Event Permit Guidelines PDF is undated; confirm fees with SevenVenues at 757-664-6880.
Event-count threshold differs by source: the ST-50 form says sellers at 3 or more shows a year must register for a permanent account, while Virginia Tax's festival-season page (published October 7, 2024) says more than 3 events a year. Confirm with Virginia Tax at (804) 367-8037.
Virginia has regional sales tax rates that differ from the general rate (see the ST-50 form); no rate lookup page was read for this entry.
Festivals in Town Point Park and Ocean View Beach Park have longer deadlines (270 days for festivals, 180 days for runs, walks and parades) than the open space deadlines above.

Questions

Common questions.

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

Open Air Event Permit (events on City property) (City of Norfolk SevenVenues (Parks and Recreation handles community parks)): Organizers file a small (0-199 attendees) or large (200 or more) permit application with the application fee and supporting documents such as a site map and insurance certificate; a permit issues once fees and department approvals are done. Fees must be paid at least 10 business days before the event. Public Event / Private Property permit (City of Norfolk Department of City Planning): A property owner may apply for four special events a year and cannot hold a Conditional Use Permit. The Planning page limits festivals, bazaars and outdoor sales to 14 days a year in most zoning districts (60 days a year, seven consecutive, in Pedestrian Commercial Overlay districts) and flea markets to 14 days a year on public-agency or registered nonprofit property.

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

Special Event Business License (or active Norfolk business license) (City of Norfolk Commissioner of the Revenue): The vendor must first be accepted by the event organizer, who sends the Commissioner a vendor list; then the vendor applies, with Treasurer approval, and must be current on city taxes. The license covers other special events in Norfolk for the year and is labeled food or non-food; food vendors also collect the City meal tax and entertainment sellers an admissions tax.

Who handles sales tax at a market in Norfolk?

Temporary Sales Tax Certificate/Return (Form ST-50) (Virginia Department of Taxation (Virginia Tax)): The vendor collects sales tax at the rate of the locality where the event is held and files the ST-50 with payment by the 20th of the month after the event. The form lists a 5.3% general rate and 6% in the Northern Virginia, Hampton Roads and Central Virginia regions. Permanent sales tax account for frequent event sellers (Virginia Department of Taxation (Virginia Tax)): Virginia Tax says vendors at more than three events a year must register a sales tax account, and seasonal sellers can register as a seasonal business so they file only for the months they sell. Registration is done online through Virginia Tax's business registration page. For organizers: Norfolk's Commissioner of the Revenue asks event organizers to send a vendor list (name and details of every vendor selling food or merchandise) as soon as the event is known, using the City's Vendor Information Sheet, so vendors can be licensed before the event. Vendors not on the organizer's list cannot get a Special Event Business License. State rules for event sellers' sales tax are in Virginia's fairs and flea markets regulation.

Do food vendors need a separate permit in Norfolk?

Temporary Food Establishment (TFE) permit (Virginia Department of Health, Norfolk Health Department (Environmental Health)): VDH issues the permit through the local health department where the booth operates, after a pre-operational inspection. Event coordinators can file an Event Coordinator Application telling the health department the dates, number of food vendors and water and wastewater arrangements.

How far ahead should I apply in Norfolk?

Open Air Event Permit (events on City property): Open space: 30 days (0-199 attendees), 60 days (200-999), 90 days (1,000-4,999), 120 days (5,000+); block party or street festival 30 days Public Event / Private Property permit: Submit 15 days before the event Special Event Business License (or active Norfolk business license): Applications and payment at least 7 business days before the event Temporary Sales Tax Certificate/Return (Form ST-50): Return due on or before the 20th of the month following the show Temporary Food Establishment (TFE) permit: Application and fee at least ten calendar days before the TFE operates; coordinator application at least 10 calendar days before the event

Keep reading.

Permits in Charlottesville, VAPermits in Hampton, VAPermits in Newport News, VAPermits in Roanoke, VAPermits in Alexandria, VAPermits in Arlington County, VAVirginia state rules: sales tax and cottage foodPermit checklist for NorfolkWhat 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: 757-664-6880

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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