Running a vendor market in Ocean City.
In Ocean City, MD, a private event on public property or needing town support requires a Private Event Application to the Special Events Department at least 90 days ahead, with Mayor and Council approval. Tents over 200 square feet need a Fire Marshal tent/special event permit, and food vendors need a Worcester County Health Department temporary food license.
Updated
Event permit.
Private Event Application and Permit
The applicant submits the application, reviewed by all affected town departments and the Recreation and Parks Committee, then must appear before the Mayor and Council, which approves, denies or modifies the event. Approval is followed by a Private Event Permit. A new application is filed each year for recurring events.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- Town of Ocean City, Special Events Department (Recreation and Parks)
- When
- Private events hosted on public property, using town equipment or labor, or needing support from town authorities. Applicants wanting a town park contact Recreation and Parks first.
- Fee
- $100.00 application fee; $100.00 late submission fee; public property usage $250 per venue/block/day (Mar 16-Oct 31) or $150 (Nov 1-Mar 15); $75.00 concession fee on approval
- Timing
- At least 90 days before the event (no earlier than one year); approval may take up to 120 days
Fire safety, tents and cooking.
Application for Tent / Special Event
The coordinator sends the application and site plan by email or mail. It asks for the number of cooking and non-cooking booths, the types of cooking, power source and any propane (an LPG tank permit applies above 25 lbs). The signer agrees that violations can lead to cancellation, denial of future permits and fines up to $1000.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- Ocean City Fire Department, Office of the Fire Marshal
- When
- Events with tents over 200 square feet (about 14 by 14 feet); the form also covers cooking, generators, heaters, open flame and crowd plans
- Timing
- Submitted a minimum of 30 days before the event
Other rules.
Boardwalk vending limits
No permit is needed to perform on the Boardwalk, but only expressive materials the vendor created (books, prints, paintings, photographs, recordings) may be vended; housewares, clothing, jewelry, candles and similar goods may not. Vending is barred from 1 a.m. to 9 a.m., and nothing may stand more than six feet above ground.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- Town of Ocean City, City Clerk
- When
- Anyone vending on the Boardwalk
Vendor and business licenses.
Trader's License (or Exhibitor's Affidavit at a show)
Maryland trader's licenses are issued by the county Circuit Court Clerk (Worcester County clerk: 410-632-5500) for a May 1 to April 30 license year. The Comptroller says a promoter must collect each exhibitor's trader's license copy or Exhibitor's Affidavit before the show.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- Clerk of the Circuit Court for Worcester County, for the Comptroller of Maryland
- When
- Anyone selling goods in Maryland who is not a grower or manufacturer. At a show, an exhibitor does not need their own trader's license if the show is promoted by an exempt entity the Comptroller lists, or if they give the promoter an Exhibitor's Affidavit (under 10 percent of annual income from like goods, and no more than three shows in the previous 365 days).
Sales tax.
Temporary Sales and Use Tax License (30 days)
A vendor contacts the Comptroller's temporary license desk with the event date, name and location plus business details, then collects Maryland sales and use tax on event sales. 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.
Flea market sales are taxable (Business Tax Tip #14)
The Comptroller says flea market sales are taxable like any other sale and a vendor must first get a license, either a 30-day permit or a permanent license through the Combined Registration Application. The 6 percent rate is a single statewide rate with no local sales taxes, and vendors must display their license where sales are made.
- 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 of a seller's own household goods are exempt, but not sales by full or part-time dealers)
Food vendors.
Temporary Food Service Facility License
The vendor submits the application, copy of any permanent food license, fee, workers' compensation information, site plan, equipment list and menu by mail, fax or in person; email is not accepted. A lower fee applies where a Worcester County certified operator is on site, trained through a free class.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- Worcester County Health Department, Environmental Health Program
- When
- Food vendors at temporary events anywhere in Worcester County, including Ocean City; separate for-profit and nonprofit applications
- Fee
- $200.00 per booth for a single-day event and $250.00 per booth for multiple days (without a certified operator); $80.00 per booth with a certified operator on site; $500.00 late fee
- Timing
- Application and fee received before 10 business days ahead; not accepted at 5 business days or fewer
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.
When to apply.
- Private Event Application and Permit: At least 90 days before the event (no earlier than one year); approval may take up to 120 days
- Application for Tent / Special Event: Submitted a minimum of 30 days before the event
- Temporary Food Service Facility License: Application and fee received before 10 business days ahead; not accepted at 5 business days or fewer
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 Ocean City, MD?
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 Private Event Application is marked revision 012320 (January 2020), so the fees may have changed; confirm with the Special Events Department at 410-250-0125 x5185.
- No official page found for an Ocean City business license for event-only vendors as of 2026-10-11; the town's Finance Department (410-289-8861) handles licenses.
- Blocked: worcesterhealth.org returned HTTP 403 to curl; the temporary food page and the July 16, 2025 fee memo were read through the fetch tool. The memo shows a $500.00 late fee; the page states it as well.
- No official page found for a sales tax rule specific to Ocean City; Maryland has one statewide rate.
- The Comptroller's temporary-license page (services.marylandcomptroller.gov) loads its content by script, so the 30-day license details (email Templicense@marylandtaxes.gov, 410-767-1543 or 410-767-5462) were taken from the state hub's earlier read; Business Tax Tip #14 gives the Special Events Section number as 410-767-1540, so confirm the phone number before relying on it.
Common questions.
Do I need a permit to host a vendor market in Ocean City?
Private Event Application and Permit (Town of Ocean City, Special Events Department (Recreation and Parks)): The applicant submits the application, reviewed by all affected town departments and the Recreation and Parks Committee, then must appear before the Mayor and Council, which approves, denies or modifies the event. Approval is followed by a Private Event Permit. A new application is filed each year for recurring events.
Do vendors need a license to sell at events in Ocean City?
Trader's License (or Exhibitor's Affidavit at a show) (Clerk of the Circuit Court for Worcester County, for the Comptroller of Maryland): Maryland trader's licenses are issued by the county Circuit Court Clerk (Worcester County clerk: 410-632-5500) for a May 1 to April 30 license year. The Comptroller says a promoter must collect each exhibitor's trader's license copy or Exhibitor's Affidavit before the show.
Who handles sales tax at a market in Ocean City?
Temporary Sales and Use Tax License (30 days) (Comptroller of Maryland): A vendor contacts the Comptroller's temporary license desk with the event date, name and location plus business details, then collects Maryland sales and use tax on event sales. Vendors at three or more events a year should register for a permanent license through Maryland Tax Connect. Flea market sales are taxable (Business Tax Tip #14) (Comptroller of Maryland): The Comptroller says flea market sales are taxable like any other sale and a vendor must first get a license, either a 30-day permit or a permanent license through the Combined Registration Application. The 6 percent rate is a single statewide rate with no local sales taxes, and vendors must display their license where sales are made. 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 Ocean City?
Temporary Food Service Facility License (Worcester County Health Department, Environmental Health Program): The vendor submits the application, copy of any permanent food license, fee, workers' compensation information, site plan, equipment list and menu by mail, fax or in person; email is not accepted. A lower fee applies where a Worcester County certified operator is on site, trained through a free class.
How far ahead should I apply in Ocean City?
Private Event Application and Permit: At least 90 days before the event (no earlier than one year); approval may take up to 120 days Application for Tent / Special Event: Submitted a minimum of 30 days before the event Temporary Food Service Facility License: Application and fee received before 10 business days ahead; not accepted at 5 business days or fewer
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: Town of Ocean City Special Events Department, 410-250-0125 x5185, 200 125th Street
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.
- https://oceancitymd.gov/pdf/PEApplication.pdf
- https://oceancitymd.gov/oc/departments/special-events/
- https://oceancitymd.gov/oc/wp-content/uploads/Tent-SE-Application.pdf
- https://oceancitymd.gov/oc/departments/fire/fire-marshal-office/permit-applications/
- https://www.marylandcomptroller.gov/businesses/new-business/business-licenses.html
- https://www.mdcourts.gov/clerks/worcester/business
- https://services.marylandcomptroller.gov/taxes?id=kb_article_view&sysparm_article=KB0010107
- https://www.marylandcomptroller.gov/content/dam/mdcomp/tax/legal-publications/tips/business/bustip14.pdf
- https://www.worcesterhealth.org/protect-menu/temporary-food-program
- https://worcesterhealth.org/images/EnvironmentalHealth/Food/2025-7-16%20For%20Profit%20Temp%20App.pdf
- https://oceancitymd.gov/oc/departments/city-clerk/ocean-city-boardwalk-performing-and-vending-information/
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