Running a vendor market in Sarasota.
To run a vendor market in Sarasota, an organizer applies to the City Office of Special Events at least 90 days ahead ($50 fee) for events on city property or right-of-way, plus a City tent permit above 900 square feet. Vendors need a City business tax certificate, food vendors a Florida DBPR license, and sellers Florida sales tax registration.
Updated
Event permit.
Special Event Permit
Organizers meet with the Office of Special Events, submit the application with a site plan, and can add street closures, police support, tent permitting and maintenance-of-traffic plans through that office. Park events also need a Parks and Recreation permit, and the City Code requires a commercial vending permit when the sponsor plans commercial vending.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- City of Sarasota Office of Special Events
- When
- Organized activities on city-owned property or in city-maintained right-of-way that need extra city services or a commercial vending permit. The City does not issue special event permits for events held only on outdoor private property with no city property involved; those use a temporary activity permit from the Zoning Department.
- Fee
- $50 non-refundable application fee; $250 if filed 89 to 60 days before, $500 if filed 59 to 30 days before; $50 per change order
- Timing
- Submit at least 90 days before the event (meeting encouraged 120 days ahead); no applications accepted under 30 days
Parks and public space.
Public park and street-closure event fees
The customer guide lists flat permit fees by event size, plus separate charges for trash containers, electricity and a sound permit. A security deposit of $500 to $10,000 is set by event size and a $500 reservation fee secures a date.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- City of Sarasota Office of Special Events
- When
- Events held in a public park or with street closures
- Fee
- Public park: $415 (under 3 acres), $830 (3-6 acres), $1,660 (over 6 acres); with street closures: $515, $830, $1,660
Fire safety, tents and cooking.
Tent permit
The Office of Special Events coordinates tent permitting for events; the first large tent has a combined building and zoning fee and additional tents cost less. The guide says sponsors arrange medical services through Sarasota County Fire Department.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- City of Sarasota Development Services
- When
- Tents over 900 square feet (30 x 30 feet)
- Fee
- $100 for the first tent over 30 x 30 ($75 Building, $25 Zoning); $10 for each additional tent
Other rules.
Insurance certificate for special events
The sponsor must provide an original certificate of insurance naming the City, with general liability, property damage and, if alcohol is served, alcohol coverage.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- City of Sarasota Office of Special Events
- When
- Special events permitted by the City
- Fee
- General liability $1,000,000 each occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate; property damage $100,000 per occurrence; alcohol $1,000,000 per occurrence
Vendor and business licenses.
Local Business Tax Certificate
The tax is due when the business begins operating, and certificates run October 1 through September 30 with renewal notices in July. The City has an addendum for mobile food trucks and an exemption affidavit.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- City of Sarasota Development Services, Local Business Tax Division
- When
- Businesses and licensed professionals operating within city limits; Sarasota County's separate business tax applies to unincorporated areas. The page does not say whether one-day event vendors are covered.
Sales tax.
Sales and use tax dealer registration
Vendors who sell taxable goods or services must register with the state as a sales and use tax dealer to collect, report and remit tax. Registration must be done before starting business, and the page does not describe a separate temporary or special-event registration. The Department states Florida's general state sales tax rate is 6%, plus any county surtax.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- Florida Department of Revenue
- When
- Any vendor selling taxable goods or services in Florida, including at markets and events
- Timing
- Register before you begin conducting business in Florida
Food vendors.
Temporary Food Service Event License
The state, not the county, licenses food vendors at temporary events: inspectors issue the license at the event after a passing inspection, and the vendor pays by cashier's check or money order. Sponsors must email the division the type of food service, event time and location, vendor list and each vendor's license number. Food prepared in a private home or under the Cottage Food Law is not allowed.
- Who
- Organizer and vendors
- From
- Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR), Division of Hotels and Restaurants
- When
- Food vendors at a temporary food service event of 30 days or less advertised to the public; exemptions include some permitted vendors, popcorn and prepackaged items, and 1-3 day events hosted by churches or nonprofits
- Fee
- $91 for a 1-3 day event; $105 for a 4-30 day event; $456 annual
- Timing
- Event sponsors notify the division no less than three business days before the event
What the rules ask of organizers about vendors.
Florida's Department of Revenue says anyone selling taxable goods at a flea market must be registered as a sales tax dealer and collect and remit tax directly. Under that notice, market operators keep collecting tax on space rentals but are no longer required or authorized to remit vendors' sales tax.
When to apply.
- Special Event Permit: Submit at least 90 days before the event (meeting encouraged 120 days ahead); no applications accepted under 30 days
- Sales and use tax dealer registration: Register before you begin conducting business in Florida
- Temporary Food Service Event License: Event sponsors notify the division no less than three business 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 Sarasota, FL?
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 guide says events on outdoor private property with no city property involved get no City special event permit; the web page points those to a Zoning Department temporary activity permit. Confirm with Zoning.
- Applicants must also get any permits from other agencies, such as alcohol and health permits (customer guide); Florida DBPR issues event food licenses.
- The guide is undated; the lead-time and fee figures also appear on the City's special event web page.
- Florida's flea-market tax notice (TIP 99A01-27) is dated July 1999 and is the only flea-market-specific operator guidance found, so confirm current practice with the Department of Revenue.
- Florida repealed the state sales tax on rent or license fees for real property for periods starting October 1, 2025 (Department of Revenue TIP 25A01-04), so the 1999 notice's reference to tax on space rentals may no longer apply to booth fees; confirm with the Department.
Common questions.
Do I need a permit to host a vendor market in Sarasota?
Special Event Permit (City of Sarasota Office of Special Events): Organizers meet with the Office of Special Events, submit the application with a site plan, and can add street closures, police support, tent permitting and maintenance-of-traffic plans through that office. Park events also need a Parks and Recreation permit, and the City Code requires a commercial vending permit when the sponsor plans commercial vending. Public park and street-closure event fees (City of Sarasota Office of Special Events): The customer guide lists flat permit fees by event size, plus separate charges for trash containers, electricity and a sound permit. A security deposit of $500 to $10,000 is set by event size and a $500 reservation fee secures a date.
Do vendors need a license to sell at events in Sarasota?
Local Business Tax Certificate (City of Sarasota Development Services, Local Business Tax Division): The tax is due when the business begins operating, and certificates run October 1 through September 30 with renewal notices in July. The City has an addendum for mobile food trucks and an exemption affidavit.
Who handles sales tax at a market in Sarasota?
Sales and use tax dealer registration (Florida Department of Revenue): Vendors who sell taxable goods or services must register with the state as a sales and use tax dealer to collect, report and remit tax. Registration must be done before starting business, and the page does not describe a separate temporary or special-event registration. The Department states Florida's general state sales tax rate is 6%, plus any county surtax. For organizers: Florida's Department of Revenue says anyone selling taxable goods at a flea market must be registered as a sales tax dealer and collect and remit tax directly. Under that notice, market operators keep collecting tax on space rentals but are no longer required or authorized to remit vendors' sales tax.
Do food vendors need a separate permit in Sarasota?
Temporary Food Service Event License (Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR), Division of Hotels and Restaurants): The state, not the county, licenses food vendors at temporary events: inspectors issue the license at the event after a passing inspection, and the vendor pays by cashier's check or money order. Sponsors must email the division the type of food service, event time and location, vendor list and each vendor's license number. Food prepared in a private home or under the Cottage Food Law is not allowed.
How far ahead should I apply in Sarasota?
Special Event Permit: Submit at least 90 days before the event (meeting encouraged 120 days ahead); no applications accepted under 30 days Sales and use tax dealer registration: Register before you begin conducting business in Florida Temporary Food Service Event License: Event sponsors notify the division no less than three business 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: 941-263-6283
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.sarasotafl.gov/I-Want-to/Permit-a-Special-Event
- https://www.sarasotafl.gov/files/assets/city/v/2/city-manager/documents/governmental-affairs/sarasota-special-event-permit-guide.pdf
- https://www.sarasotafl.gov/Department-Pages/Development-Services/Local-Business-Tax
- https://floridarevenue.com/taxes/eservices/Pages/registration.aspx
- https://floridarevenue.com/taxes/taxesfees/Pages/sales_tax.aspx
- https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/licensing/temporaryevent-guide/
- https://floridarevenue.com/taxes/tips/documents/TIP_99A01-27.pdf
Collect every vendor permit in one place.
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