Running a vendor market in San Diego.
To run a vendor market in San Diego, an organizer applies for a citywide Special Event Permit through the Office of Special Events and Filming when the market uses streets, parks or other city property. Food sellers need San Diego County temporary food permits, and vendors hold a City Business Tax Certificate and a California seller's permit.
Updated
Event permit.
Special Event Permit
Applications are made through the city's online permit system, and insurance is a condition of approval. For 2026 the city says new events and date changes depend on public safety staffing and are first come, first served.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- City of San Diego Office of Special Events and Filming
- When
- Events on city streets, sidewalks, parks or other city property; outdoor private property only when it is part of an event venue that includes city property. Farmer and art markets are listed examples
- Fee
- $341 application fee; $80 per business day late fee when the application arrives less than 60 days before the event
- Timing
- Submit no later than 60 days before the event
Other rules.
Insurance for special event permits
Organizers provide commercial general liability of $1 million per occurrence and $2 million general aggregate for events under 9,999 attendees, naming the City as additional insured, plus workers' compensation for insured entities with paid employees and $1 million liquor liability if alcohol is served. The Risk Management Department has final say on limits.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- City of San Diego Risk Management Department
- When
- Events with a citywide Special Event Permit
Vendor and business licenses.
Business Tax Certificate
San Diego issues a Business Tax Certificate in place of a business license. It does not replace other required permits such as police, health or zoning permits.
- Who
- Organizer and vendors
- From
- City of San Diego Office of the City Treasurer
- When
- All businesses operating in the City of San Diego
- Fee
- $38.00 for a mail-in application ($34.00 business tax plus $4.00 state fee), plus $1.47 per employee for the annual minimum wage enforcement fee
- Timing
- Late fees apply to applications received more than 15 days after the business start date
Sales tax.
Seller's permit or temporary seller's permit
California requires a temporary seller's permit for anyone selling at a location for under 90 days, and each temporary sales location is registered with its own start and end dates. Registration is online through CDTFA.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA)
- When
- Vendors making retail sales of taxable goods at a market; sellers at one location for less than 90 days are treated as temporary sellers
- Fee
- Free
- Timing
- May be obtained 90 days before the business start date
Seller information for the event operator
Most sellers of new or used goods 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. Occasional sellers and sellers with only exempt sales may not need a permit.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA)
- When
- Sellers at swap meets, flea markets and special events
Food vendors.
Temporary Event Organizer permit and Temporary Food Facility vendor permits
The organizer holds a Temporary Event Organizer permit (single event of 1 to 4 consecutive days, or annual) and each food booth needs its own vendor permit; restaurants also need one. Submit to fhdtempevents@sdcounty.ca.gov or (858) 505-6809.
- Who
- Organizer and vendors
- From
- County of San Diego Department of Environmental Health and Quality, Food and Housing Division
- When
- Any event where food or beverages are sold or given away to the public, including farmers markets, street fairs and festivals
- Timing
- Apply at least 30 days before the event start date; applications under 14 days out, or changed within 14 days, pay an extra late fee
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.
When to apply.
- Special Event Permit: Submit no later than 60 days before the event
- Business Tax Certificate: Late fees apply to applications received more than 15 days after the business start date
- Seller's permit or temporary seller's permit: May be obtained 90 days before the business start date
- Temporary Event Organizer permit and Temporary Food Facility vendor permits: Apply at least 30 days before the event start date; applications under 14 days out, or changed within 14 days, pay an extra late fee
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 San Diego, 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.
Where the sources are unclear.
- California sales tax is statewide through CDTFA; the seller's permit and operator rules apply in every California city. Confirm with CDTFA whether your event counts as a special event under Publication 111.
- The 60-day lead time and insurance limits come from the City's Special Event Planning Guide PDF; the city's Special Events page (https://www.sandiego.gov/specialevents-filming/events) lists the same $341 and $80 fees but does not state the 60 days.
- The county temporary events page does not publish its fee amounts; ask the Food and Housing Division.
- No official page was read for San Diego Fire-Rescue tent or cooking permits as of 2026-10-10; ask San Diego Fire-Rescue.
Common questions.
Do I need a permit to host a vendor market in San Diego?
Special Event Permit (City of San Diego Office of Special Events and Filming): Applications are made through the city's online permit system, and insurance is a condition of approval. For 2026 the city says new events and date changes depend on public safety staffing and are first come, first served.
Do vendors need a license to sell at events in San Diego?
Business Tax Certificate (City of San Diego Office of the City Treasurer): San Diego issues a Business Tax Certificate in place of a business license. It does not replace other required permits such as police, health or zoning permits.
Who handles sales tax at a market in San Diego?
Seller's permit or temporary seller's permit (California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA)): California requires a temporary seller's permit for anyone selling at a location for under 90 days, and each temporary sales location is registered with its own start and end dates. Registration is online through CDTFA. Seller information for the event operator (California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA)): Most sellers of new or used goods 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. Occasional sellers and sellers with only exempt sales may not need a permit. 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 San Diego?
Temporary Event Organizer permit and Temporary Food Facility vendor permits (County of San Diego Department of Environmental Health and Quality, Food and Housing Division): The organizer holds a Temporary Event Organizer permit (single event of 1 to 4 consecutive days, or annual) and each food booth needs its own vendor permit; restaurants also need one. Submit to fhdtempevents@sdcounty.ca.gov or (858) 505-6809.
How far ahead should I apply in San Diego?
Special Event Permit: Submit no later than 60 days before the event Business Tax Certificate: Late fees apply to applications received more than 15 days after the business start date Seller's permit or temporary seller's permit: May be obtained 90 days before the business start date Temporary Event Organizer permit and Temporary Food Facility vendor permits: Apply at least 30 days before the event start date; applications under 14 days out, or changed within 14 days, pay an extra late fee
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: Office of Special Events and Filming, 619-685-1331, SpecialEvents@sandiego.gov
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://www.sandiego.gov/sites/default/files/legacy/specialevents/pdf/planningguide.pdf
- https://www.sandiego.gov/treasurer/taxesfees/btax/btaxhow
- https://cdtfa.ca.gov/industry/temporary-sellers/
- https://cdtfa.ca.gov/formspubs/pub111/sellers-and-vendors.htm
- https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/sdc/deh/fhd/food/tempevents.html
- https://cdtfa.ca.gov/formspubs/pub111/
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.