Running a vendor market in Pasadena.

Special Event Permit (City of Pasadena Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department, Special Events Office): Start by emailing the Special Events Inquiry Sheet. Staff then call you, share the application with every affected department and may hold a coordinating meeting. Public safety (police and fire) charges are billed separately. Private-property events: no special event permit, other permits apply (City of Pasadena (Public Health, Fire, Police and other departments)): The city FAQ says a special event permit is not required for private-property events, but organizers may still need a health permit for food sales, an open-flame permit for cooking, a tent permit, noise-ordinance compliance and police coordination.

Pasadena Business License (City of Pasadena Finance Department, Business Services Section): The city requires a business license tax certificate for businesses operating in the city; the tax is mostly a flat rate plus a per-employee amount. Apply online or at 100 N. Garfield Ave, Room N106, or call (626) 744-4166. The pages we read do not say whether out-of-town one-day event vendors are covered, and Rose Parade street vendors use a separate New Year's Vendor Permit.

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.

Community Event Organizer permit and Temporary Food Facility permits (City of Pasadena Public Health Department, Environmental Health Services Division): Pasadena issues its own event food permits instead of Los Angeles County. Every food booth, including nonprofits and restaurants, needs its own Temporary Food Facility permit. Applications go in person or by email to envhealth-specialevents@cityofpasadena.net.

Special Event Permit: Applications must be received 6 to 9 months before the event; the inquiry sheet is due at least six months before Fire Department Special Event Permit Application: Submit a minimum of two weeks before the event with a set of plans 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 Temporary Food Facility permits: Organizer application at least 14 days and booth applications at least 10 days before the event; late applications add 25% of the fee or $50