Running a vendor market in Savannah.
To run a vendor market in Savannah, the organizer applies for a Special Event permit at least 90 days ahead and must hire an off-duty police officer. Food vendors need Chatham County temporary food permits, and vendors need a city Business Tax Certificate and Georgia sales tax registration or an FS-32 Miscellaneous Sales Event report.
Updated
Event permit.
Special Event Permit
It is unlawful to stage a special event without the permit under the city special event ordinance. Applications go through the eProval account, and the permit comes with a requirement to hire an off-duty Savannah police officer for the whole event. Applicants can apply up to a year ahead and should check the special event calendar first.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- City of Savannah Special Events, Film and Tourism (Planning and Economic Development)
- When
- Planned events on city parks, squares or public right-of-way, or that reserve a public venue or close a right-of-way; very small gatherings under fifty people with no setup may proceed without a permit
- Fee
- $30.00 non-refundable application fee; $150.00 base permit fee per permit (2024 Revenue Ordinance); park and square rental fees extra
- Timing
- Apply no later than 90 days before the event
Parks and public space.
Park, square and plaza rental fees
The revenue ordinance lists base rental fees for four hours with resident, non-resident and nonprofit rates, and daily rates for Rousakis Plaza and the waterfront. Peak months are March, April, May, September, October and November.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- City of Savannah Special Events, Film and Tourism
- When
- Events in city parks, historic squares, Forsyth Park, Rousakis Plaza or the waterfront
- Fee
- Parks and squares: $350 resident, $575 non-resident off-peak, $725 non-resident peak (4-hour base, up to $1,000 per day), $60 per extra hour, $250 per day nonprofit; Rousakis Plaza $500 per day
Vendor and business licenses.
Business Tax Certificate (business license)
All businesses operating in Savannah must hold a current Business Tax Certificate. New applicants first submit a Business Location Approval application to Development Services. The 2024 revenue ordinance also lists a per-event fee for special event vendors.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- City of Savannah Revenue Department
- When
- Businesses operating within the city of Savannah; the same ordinance charges special event vendor fees per vendor per event
- Fee
- Special event vendor fee $25.00 per vendor per event; $50.00 per food truck vendor per event (2024 Revenue Ordinance)
Sales tax.
Sales and use tax registration (dealer)
Dealers register for a sales and use tax number and certificate of registration through the Georgia Tax Center and, after online submission, should receive the tax account number by email within 15 minutes. Registration does not require renewal while the business continues unchanged.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- Georgia Department of Revenue
- When
- Any individual or entity meeting the definition of "dealer" in O.C.G.A. 48-8-2, including sellers at markets, regardless of whether sales are online, wholesale or exempt
Miscellaneous Sales Event report (Form FS-32)
Unregistered sellers collect Georgia sales tax at the rate of the jurisdiction where the event is held, report taxable sales on Form FS-32, and pay by check or money order (no cash). At the close of the event the form and tax go to the Revenue Agent on duty or are mailed within 3 days.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- Georgia Department of Revenue
- When
- Sellers at a one-off event who are not registered for Georgia sales tax; registered sellers can include the sales on their regular return
- Timing
- Return the form and tax at the close of the event, or mail within 3 days
Food vendors.
Temporary Food Service Establishment and Event Organizer applications
The health district posts a temporary food service vendor application and an event organizer application. In Chatham County the organizer application is due earlier than the vendor applications.
- Who
- Organizer and vendors
- From
- Georgia Coastal Health District, Chatham County Environmental Health
- When
- Food vendors at events in Chatham County
- Timing
- Chatham County: organizer application at least 30 days before the event; vendor application at least 2 weeks before
When to apply.
- Special Event Permit: Apply no later than 90 days before the event
- Miscellaneous Sales Event report (Form FS-32): Return the form and tax at the close of the event, or mail within 3 days
- Temporary Food Service Establishment and Event Organizer applications: Chatham County: organizer application at least 30 days before the event; vendor application at least 2 weeks before
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 Savannah, GA?
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 Special Events page labels $350 (resident) and $575 / $725 (non-resident) as the "permit fee (4 hour minimum rental)", while the 2024 Revenue Ordinance lists a $150 base permit fee separately from the park and square rental fees. Confirm the total with Special Events at 912-351-3837.
- The city page links its fee schedule as "2023 Rev Ord Art W"; the 2024 Revenue Ordinance was read for the figures above and may have been superseded.
- The city's St. Patrick's Day hawker and peddler permit rules (for example a $35 regulatory fee) apply only to that festival and are not covered here.
- Chatham County Environmental Health: 1395 Eisenhower Drive, (912) 356-2160. The health district pages state no temporary food permit fee.
- Georgia's FS-32 page and the Department's sales tax overview do not mention event promoters, so no promoter sales tax duty is listed. The temporary food rule's organizer duty (vendor list to the Health Authority) is covered in the food entry.
- The Department of Revenue registration and FS-32 pages read do not state a fee.
- Ask the Georgia Secretary of State or your city or county about local business licenses; no official page stating the licensing split could be read.
Common questions.
Do I need a permit to host a vendor market in Savannah?
Special Event Permit (City of Savannah Special Events, Film and Tourism (Planning and Economic Development)): It is unlawful to stage a special event without the permit under the city special event ordinance. Applications go through the eProval account, and the permit comes with a requirement to hire an off-duty Savannah police officer for the whole event. Applicants can apply up to a year ahead and should check the special event calendar first. Park, square and plaza rental fees (City of Savannah Special Events, Film and Tourism): The revenue ordinance lists base rental fees for four hours with resident, non-resident and nonprofit rates, and daily rates for Rousakis Plaza and the waterfront. Peak months are March, April, May, September, October and November.
Do vendors need a license to sell at events in Savannah?
Business Tax Certificate (business license) (City of Savannah Revenue Department): All businesses operating in Savannah must hold a current Business Tax Certificate. New applicants first submit a Business Location Approval application to Development Services. The 2024 revenue ordinance also lists a per-event fee for special event vendors.
Who handles sales tax at a market in Savannah?
Sales and use tax registration (dealer) (Georgia Department of Revenue): Dealers register for a sales and use tax number and certificate of registration through the Georgia Tax Center and, after online submission, should receive the tax account number by email within 15 minutes. Registration does not require renewal while the business continues unchanged. Miscellaneous Sales Event report (Form FS-32) (Georgia Department of Revenue): Unregistered sellers collect Georgia sales tax at the rate of the jurisdiction where the event is held, report taxable sales on Form FS-32, and pay by check or money order (no cash). At the close of the event the form and tax go to the Revenue Agent on duty or are mailed within 3 days.
Do food vendors need a separate permit in Savannah?
Temporary Food Service Establishment and Event Organizer applications (Georgia Coastal Health District, Chatham County Environmental Health): The health district posts a temporary food service vendor application and an event organizer application. In Chatham County the organizer application is due earlier than the vendor applications.
How far ahead should I apply in Savannah?
Special Event Permit: Apply no later than 90 days before the event Miscellaneous Sales Event report (Form FS-32): Return the form and tax at the close of the event, or mail within 3 days Temporary Food Service Establishment and Event Organizer applications: Chatham County: organizer application at least 30 days before the event; vendor application at least 2 weeks before
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 912-351-3837
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.savannahga.gov/3604/Special-Events
- https://www.savannahga.gov/DocumentCenter/View/33741
- https://www.savannahga.gov/DocumentCenter/View/29384/2024-Revenue-Ordinance
- https://www.savannahga.gov/1587/Business-License
- https://dor.georgia.gov/tax-registration
- https://dor.georgia.gov/document/form/miscellaneouseventsfs-32pdf/download
- https://dor.georgia.gov/taxes/sales-use-tax/out-state-sellers
- https://coastalhealthdistrict.org/programs-services/environmental-health-2/food-service/
- https://dph.georgia.gov/document/document/envhealthfoodfoodservice-rulespdf/download
Collect every vendor permit in one place.
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