Permits: Palm Springs, CA

Running a vendor market in Palm Springs.

In Palm Springs, CA, organizers file a Special Event Application ($204 per the city FAQ) with the Special Events Coordinator at least six months ahead. Vendors, including out-of-town ones, need a Palm Springs business license from Finance & Treasury, a California seller's permit, and events with food need Riverside County Environmental Health permits.

Updated October 11, 2026

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For the organizer

Event permit.

Special Event Permit Application

Organizers file the Special Event Application with the Special Events Coordinator, then it goes to the Special Events Planning Team (Police, Fire, Streets, Parks, Business License, Riverside County Health, CHP and ABC reps) for a one-stop review. Costs for city services such as police and fire are set at that meeting.

Who: Organizer
From: City of Palm Springs Parks & Recreation (Special Events)
When: Parades and special events in Palm Springs; the city FAQ does not list size thresholds
Fee: $204 application fee, plus costs for city services
Timing: Apply at least six months ahead; approval can take one to four months

Official page

For your vendors

Vendor and business licenses.

Palm Springs Business License

The city requires a business license of any business active in Palm Springs, including out-of-town businesses, unless exempt under state or federal law. Applicants apply through the city's online portal and are told to hold a California seller's permit if they sell tangible goods.

Who: Vendors
From: City of Palm Springs Finance & Treasury
When: All entities doing business within city limits, including businesses located outside the city that conduct business activity in Palm Springs

Official page

For your vendors

Sales tax.

Seller's permit or temporary seller's permit

A temporary seller's permit covers one selling location for 90 days or less, with start and end dates entered when registering online. Some sellers are exempt, such as those selling only exempt food products and occasional sellers.

Who: Vendors
From: California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA)
When: Vendors making retail sales of taxable goods at a market; generally three or more taxable sales within 12 months at a location open for less than 90 days
Fee: Free
Timing: You may obtain a temporary seller's permit 90 days prior to your business start date

Official page

Seller information for the event operator

Sellers of new or used goods, including handcrafted items, generally hold a seller's permit, and a seller with an existing permit still registers a sub-permit for the temporary location. Sellers give the event operator their business details and permit number in writing, and CDTFA offers form CDTFA-410-D for this.

Who: Vendors
From: California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA)
When: Sellers at swap meets, flea markets and special events

Official page

For your vendors

Food vendors.

Community Event Organizer permit and food vendor permits

The event coordinator submits the city event permit or approval, the Temporary Food Facility application and the Community Event Coordinator's Application. Vendors cannot buy a permit until the organizer permit is secured and the vendor list is on file. Phone (888) 722-4234.

Who: Organizer and vendors
From: County of Riverside Department of Environmental Health
When: Community events in Palm Springs where food is sold or given away; an organizer permit is needed when two or more food vendors share the event, and each food vendor needs an event health permit
Timing: The operator's guide says submit at least 10 business days before the event; the county's fee bulletin says at least two weeks

Official page

Organizer duty

What the rules ask of organizers about vendors.

Under CDTFA Publication 111, operators of swap meets, flea markets and special events may not rent space to a seller until they verify the seller holds a valid seller's permit, unless an exemption applies. Operators collect each seller's business name, address, phone, ID, items sold and permit number in writing, keep the records at least four years, and give them to CDTFA within 30 days of a written request. The page warns of a penalty of up to $1,000 per seller for missing records.

Official page

Timeline

When to apply.

Special Event Permit Application: Apply at least six months ahead; approval can take one to four months
Seller's permit or temporary seller's permit: You may obtain a temporary seller's permit 90 days prior to your business start date
Community Event Organizer permit and food vendor permits: The operator's guide says submit at least 10 business days before the event; the county's fee bulletin says at least two weeks

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 Palm Springs, CA?

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.

Riverside County's operator guide says submit at least 10 business days before the event while its fee bulletin says at least two weeks; the county's bulletin 1-91-DES (undated) lists group permit fees by vendor count, which are not reproduced because the bulletin is old. The bulletin lists a Palm Springs county office.
The Special Event Permit Application PDF and the Request for Temporary Event Permit form were not read; fee and lead time come from the city special events FAQ PDF (page 1 read). Special Events Coordinator: (760) 323-8276; email events@palmspringsca.gov. The fire permit page (https://www.palmspringsca.gov/government/departments/fire-department/permits-requirements-fire-codes-fees) was not read; ask the Fire Department about tents and cooking. Business license questions: Finance & Treasury, (760) 323-8299.

Questions

Common questions.

Do I need a permit to host a vendor market in Palm Springs?

Special Event Permit Application (City of Palm Springs Parks & Recreation (Special Events)): Organizers file the Special Event Application with the Special Events Coordinator, then it goes to the Special Events Planning Team (Police, Fire, Streets, Parks, Business License, Riverside County Health, CHP and ABC reps) for a one-stop review. Costs for city services such as police and fire are set at that meeting.

Do vendors need a license to sell at events in Palm Springs?

Palm Springs Business License (City of Palm Springs Finance & Treasury): The city requires a business license of any business active in Palm Springs, including out-of-town businesses, unless exempt under state or federal law. Applicants apply through the city's online portal and are told to hold a California seller's permit if they sell tangible goods.

Who handles sales tax at a market in Palm Springs?

Seller's permit or temporary seller's permit (California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA)): A temporary seller's permit covers one selling location for 90 days or less, with start and end dates entered when registering online. Some sellers are exempt, such as those selling only exempt food products and occasional sellers. Seller information for the event operator (California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA)): Sellers of new or used goods, including handcrafted items, generally hold a seller's permit, and a seller with an existing permit still registers a sub-permit for the temporary location. Sellers give the event operator their business details and permit number in writing, and CDTFA offers form CDTFA-410-D for this. For organizers: Under CDTFA Publication 111, operators of swap meets, flea markets and special events may not rent space to a seller until they verify the seller holds a valid seller's permit, unless an exemption applies. Operators collect each seller's business name, address, phone, ID, items sold and permit number in writing, keep the records at least four years, and give them to CDTFA within 30 days of a written request. The page warns of a penalty of up to $1,000 per seller for missing records.

Do food vendors need a separate permit in Palm Springs?

Community Event Organizer permit and food vendor permits (County of Riverside Department of Environmental Health): The event coordinator submits the city event permit or approval, the Temporary Food Facility application and the Community Event Coordinator's Application. Vendors cannot buy a permit until the organizer permit is secured and the vendor list is on file. Phone (888) 722-4234.

How far ahead should I apply in Palm Springs?

Special Event Permit Application: Apply at least six months ahead; approval can take one to four months Seller's permit or temporary seller's permit: You may obtain a temporary seller's permit 90 days prior to your business start date Community Event Organizer permit and food vendor permits: The operator's guide says submit at least 10 business days before the event; the county's fee bulletin says at least two weeks

Keep reading.

Permits in Riverside, CAPermits in Anaheim, CAPermits in Bakersfield, CAPermits in Berkeley, CAPermits in Chula Vista, CAPermits in Fremont, CACalifornia state rules: sales tax and cottage foodPermit checklist for Palm SpringsWhat 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: Palm Springs Special Events Coordinator, (760) 323-8276

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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