Running a vendor market in Roanoke.
In Roanoke, VA, an event on streets, parks or plazas needs a Public Assembly Permit from Public Works (14 to 30 days ahead for general events) with a site map, emergency plan and insurance; private-property events do not. Vendors need a Roanoke business license, food vendors a $40 temporary food permit, and vendors register for Virginia sales tax.
Updated
Event permit.
Public Assembly Permit for Special Events
Organizers apply online with a site map, Emergency Action Plan and certificate of insurance; the application is not complete without them. Events in city parks, plazas or greenways also go through Parks and Recreation for the rental fee and security deposit. The city warns that applying does not guarantee approval.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- City of Roanoke Public Works, Transportation Division
- When
- Special events that use public spaces such as streets, greenways, parks and plazas. Events contained to private property do not need a Public Assembly Permit.
- Timing
- General events: 14 days before (under 100 people or no street closure) or 30 days (100 or more people or street closure); parades and races 120 days; block party 14 days, or 30 days if tents, food trucks or similar are used
Vendor and business licenses.
Roanoke Business License
New businesses file a business license application with the Commissioner of the Revenue, need Permit Center approval of the property use, any state licenses, Virginia sales tax registration and a copy of photo ID, and are not licensed until paid at the Treasurer's office. Restaurants and food trucks add health inspection reports.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- City of Roanoke Commissioner of the Revenue
- When
- New businesses operating in Roanoke; the requirements page does not describe a temporary event vendor license
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
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
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
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, Roanoke City & Alleghany Health Districts (Environmental Health)
- When
- Food vendors at a temporary event of no more than 14 consecutive days in Roanoke; the district's food program lists festivals among the facilities it inspects
- 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
What the rules ask of organizers about vendors.
Virginia Tax's rule for fairs and flea markets says the Department may authorize a sponsor or operator to remit the tax collected by the vendors at the event; an operator who wants that arrangement must apply to the Department in writing. The rule does not require a vendor list. A 1992 Tax Commissioner ruling also describes an organizer obtaining a single temporary registration covering all sellers at the event, which is optional.
When to apply.
- Public Assembly Permit for Special Events: General events: 14 days before (under 100 people or no street closure) or 30 days (100 or more people or street closure); parades and races 120 days; block party 14 days, or 30 days if tents, food trucks or similar are used
- 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
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 Roanoke, 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.
Where the sources are unclear.
- The Roanoke health district environmental health office is at 1502 Williamson Road NE, phone (540) 204-9764, per the district page.
- 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.
- Roanoke's Special Event Policy and Planning Guide PDFs were not read, so no fees are stated and tent or fire permit rules are not covered. Transportation Division: (540) 853-2676; Parks and Recreation events in parks: playroanoke@roanokeva.gov.
Common questions.
Do I need a permit to host a vendor market in Roanoke?
Public Assembly Permit for Special Events (City of Roanoke Public Works, Transportation Division): Organizers apply online with a site map, Emergency Action Plan and certificate of insurance; the application is not complete without them. Events in city parks, plazas or greenways also go through Parks and Recreation for the rental fee and security deposit. The city warns that applying does not guarantee approval.
Do vendors need a license to sell at events in Roanoke?
Roanoke Business License (City of Roanoke Commissioner of the Revenue): New businesses file a business license application with the Commissioner of the Revenue, need Permit Center approval of the property use, any state licenses, Virginia sales tax registration and a copy of photo ID, and are not licensed until paid at the Treasurer's office. Restaurants and food trucks add health inspection reports.
Who handles sales tax at a market in Roanoke?
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: Virginia Tax's rule for fairs and flea markets says the Department may authorize a sponsor or operator to remit the tax collected by the vendors at the event; an operator who wants that arrangement must apply to the Department in writing. The rule does not require a vendor list. A 1992 Tax Commissioner ruling also describes an organizer obtaining a single temporary registration covering all sellers at the event, which is optional.
Do food vendors need a separate permit in Roanoke?
Temporary Food Establishment (TFE) permit (Virginia Department of Health, Roanoke City & Alleghany Health Districts (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 Roanoke?
Public Assembly Permit for Special Events: General events: 14 days before (under 100 people or no street closure) or 30 days (100 or more people or street closure); parades and races 120 days; block party 14 days, or 30 days if tents, food trucks or similar are used 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.
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: Roanoke Transportation Division, (540) 853-2676
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://www.roanokeva.gov/2291/Apply-for-a-Permit
- https://www.roanokeva.gov/3168/Business-License-Requirements
- https://www.tax.virginia.gov/sites/default/files/taxforms/retail-sales-and-use/any/st-50-any.pdf
- https://www.tax.virginia.gov/news/vendor-tips-fall-festival-season
- https://www.tax.virginia.gov/register-business-virginia
- https://law.lis.virginia.gov/admincode/title23/agency10/chapter210/section570/
- https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/environmental-health/food-safety-in-virginia/tfe/
- https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/roanoke/environmental-health/
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.