# Vendor event permits in Roanoke, VA

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.

_Sources checked 2026-10-11. Not legal or tax advice; confirm with each agency._

## For the organizer: 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
- Official page: https://www.roanokeva.gov/2291/Apply-for-a-Permit

## For vendors: 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
- Official page: https://www.roanokeva.gov/3168/Business-License-Requirements

## For vendors: 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
- Official page: https://www.tax.virginia.gov/sites/default/files/taxforms/retail-sales-and-use/any/st-50-any.pdf

### 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
- Official page: https://www.tax.virginia.gov/news/vendor-tips-fall-festival-season

### 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
- Official page: https://law.lis.virginia.gov/admincode/title23/agency10/chapter210/section570/

## For vendors: 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
- Official page: https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/environmental-health/food-safety-in-virginia/tfe/

## 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. (https://law.lis.virginia.gov/admincode/title23/agency10/chapter210/section570/)

## 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.

## 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

## Sources

- 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/

All cities: https://bzar.app/permits