Running a vendor market in Reno.
To run a vendor market in Reno, an organizer applies for a Special Event Permit on public property (90 days ahead) or a Special Activity Permit on private property (15 days ahead) and uploads the vendor list. Vendors need a Reno business license or a $20 daily permit; food vendors need Northern Nevada Public Health permits.
Updated
Event permit.
Special Event Permit
Applicants apply and pay in the city's online licensing portal, then present the event to the Special Event Review Committee. Documents are due on a schedule: site map before the committee meeting, insurance and neighborhood notification 30 days out, vendor list 14 days out. Permits issue the week of the event, and a fire inspection fee is required whenever public space is used.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- City of Reno Special Events (Planning and Permitting)
- When
- Events on public property such as a city park or plaza, or that need a road closure
- Timing
- Applications are due at least 90 days before the event
Special Activity Permit
Applied for in the same online portal as the special event permit. The site map is due with the application, and the vendor list, with each vendor's Reno business license number, must be uploaded 7 days before the event.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- City of Reno Business Licensing
- When
- Events on private property, such as inside a business or in its parking lot
- Timing
- Applications are due at least 15 days before the event
Parks and public space.
Park and plaza reservation
Organizers confirm park or plaza availability with Parks and Recreation before submitting the special event application.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- City of Reno Parks and Recreation
- When
- Events in a Reno park or plaza
Fire safety, tents and cooking.
Reno Fire Department event inspection
The fire department inspects events on public space for safety, and a fire inspection fee is required. The amount is not stated on the page.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- Reno Fire Department, Fire Prevention
- When
- Any event using public space
Other rules.
Special event insurance
The organizer must carry commercial general liability naming the City of Reno as additional insured, plus automobile liability and workers compensation with employer's liability. The certificate and endorsements are due 30 days before the event.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- City of Reno
- When
- All permitted special events
- Fee
- General liability $2,000,000 per occurrence and $4,000,000 general aggregate; auto $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate; employer's liability $1,000,000
Vendor and business licenses.
City of Reno business license or $20 Daily Vendor Permit
The promoter enters each vendor's Reno business license number in the permit application. A vendor without a valid Reno license needs a daily vendor permit, billed directly to the promoter.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- City of Reno Business Licensing
- When
- Vendors selling goods at a Reno special event or special activity; non-profits are exempt from daily permits
- Fee
- $20 per vendor (Daily Vendor Permit, billed to the promoter)
Sales tax.
One-Time Special Event Permit and vendor sales tax
The promoter registers through My Nevada Tax, uploads a vendor list and receives a one-time sales tax return form for vendors to complete before leaving. Vendors with their own Nevada sales tax account can report on their usual return.
- Who
- Organizer and vendors
- From
- Nevada Department of Taxation
- When
- One-time events such as flea markets, trade shows and concerts with retail sales. Vendors selling at more than two events in 12 months need a regular Sales & Use Tax permit.
- Timing
- Register at least two weeks before the event
Nevada seller's permit
Sellers apply to the Department of Taxation for a permit for each place of business, and file returns by the 20th of the month after each reporting period even if there were no sales.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- Nevada Department of Taxation
- When
- Anyone engaging in business as a seller of tangible personal property in Nevada.
- Fee
- $15.00 for each location
Food vendors.
Temporary Food Establishment permit
Vendors apply through NNPH's online permit portal; the program page links a food permitting checklist and temporary food requirements. Event organizers are told to make sure vendors hold temporary, annual mobile or cottage food registrations before the event.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- Northern Nevada Public Health (Washoe County)
- When
- Food and beverage vendors at special events in Reno
Special Event Organizer or Promoter permit
The organizer applies with a list of all food and beverage vendors, an event layout, a solid waste and recycling plan and provisions for power, toilets and wastewater. The vendor list is due 15 days before the event.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- Northern Nevada Public Health (Washoe County)
- When
- An organizer permit for events lasting 2 or more days or with 6 or more food or beverage booths; a promoter permit above 5,000 people a day or 10,000 total
- Timing
- Apply at least 30 days before the event
What the rules ask of organizers about vendors.
Nevada requires promoters of one-time special events to register with the Department of Taxation at least two weeks before the event and supply a vendor list. The promoter collects each vendor's one-time sales tax return and payment before vendors leave, and collects and remits tax for vendors who have no Nevada sales tax account.
When to apply.
- Special Event Permit: Applications are due at least 90 days before the event
- Special Activity Permit: Applications are due at least 15 days before the event
- One-Time Special Event Permit and vendor sales tax: Register at least two weeks before the event
- Special Event Organizer or Promoter permit: Apply at least 30 days 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 Reno, NV?
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.
- Reno also requires the promoter to upload vendors in its permit system (no PDFs or emailed lists) with each vendor's business license number: 14 days before for special events, 7 days before for special activities.
- The pages carry no revision date; the permit fee amounts and the fire inspection fee were not stated on the pages read.
- The City of Reno's page at www.reno.gov/business/special-events returned 404 on 2026-10-10; the pages cited here are on reno.gov/community/special-events.
- The NNPH fee schedule was not read; ask Northern Nevada Public Health at 775-328-2434 for temporary food permit fees.
Common questions.
Do I need a permit to host a vendor market in Reno?
Special Event Permit (City of Reno Special Events (Planning and Permitting)): Applicants apply and pay in the city's online licensing portal, then present the event to the Special Event Review Committee. Documents are due on a schedule: site map before the committee meeting, insurance and neighborhood notification 30 days out, vendor list 14 days out. Permits issue the week of the event, and a fire inspection fee is required whenever public space is used. Special Activity Permit (City of Reno Business Licensing): Applied for in the same online portal as the special event permit. The site map is due with the application, and the vendor list, with each vendor's Reno business license number, must be uploaded 7 days before the event.
Do vendors need a license to sell at events in Reno?
City of Reno business license or $20 Daily Vendor Permit (City of Reno Business Licensing): The promoter enters each vendor's Reno business license number in the permit application. A vendor without a valid Reno license needs a daily vendor permit, billed directly to the promoter.
Who handles sales tax at a market in Reno?
One-Time Special Event Permit and vendor sales tax (Nevada Department of Taxation): The promoter registers through My Nevada Tax, uploads a vendor list and receives a one-time sales tax return form for vendors to complete before leaving. Vendors with their own Nevada sales tax account can report on their usual return. Nevada seller's permit (Nevada Department of Taxation): Sellers apply to the Department of Taxation for a permit for each place of business, and file returns by the 20th of the month after each reporting period even if there were no sales. For organizers: Nevada requires promoters of one-time special events to register with the Department of Taxation at least two weeks before the event and supply a vendor list. The promoter collects each vendor's one-time sales tax return and payment before vendors leave, and collects and remits tax for vendors who have no Nevada sales tax account.
Do food vendors need a separate permit in Reno?
Temporary Food Establishment permit (Northern Nevada Public Health (Washoe County)): Vendors apply through NNPH's online permit portal; the program page links a food permitting checklist and temporary food requirements. Event organizers are told to make sure vendors hold temporary, annual mobile or cottage food registrations before the event. Special Event Organizer or Promoter permit (Northern Nevada Public Health (Washoe County)): The organizer applies with a list of all food and beverage vendors, an event layout, a solid waste and recycling plan and provisions for power, toilets and wastewater. The vendor list is due 15 days before the event.
How far ahead should I apply in Reno?
Special Event Permit: Applications are due at least 90 days before the event Special Activity Permit: Applications are due at least 15 days before the event One-Time Special Event Permit and vendor sales tax: Register at least two weeks before the event Special Event Organizer or Promoter permit: Apply at least 30 days 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: Special events (Planning and Permitting): 775-334-2366; Park reservations: 775-657-4654; Northern Nevada Public Health Environmental Health: 775-328-2434
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://reno.gov/community/special-events/special-event-permitting.php
- https://reno.gov/community/special-events/special-activity-permitting.php
- https://tax.nv.gov/faqs/appeals-faqs-copy/
- https://tax.nv.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Sales-and-Use-Tax-GeneraI-Info-1.pdf
- https://www.nnph.org/programs-and-services/environmental-health/food-protection-services/special-events.php
- https://www.nnph.org/files/ehs/food-protection-services/H-713-21B_TempFoodPromoter_Checklist-2.pdf
- https://www.reno.gov/Documents/Community/Special%20Events/Special%20Event%20Permitting/Special%20Events%20Permit%20Insurance%20Requirements%20%20050515.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.