Running a vendor market in Scottsdale.
To run a vendor market in Scottsdale, an organizer applies for a Special Event Permit through the city's SPUR portal (a simple permit on private property, a standard permit on public property). Food vendors need Maricopa County Environmental Services permits, and all vendors need an Arizona TPT license with the Scottsdale region code. Confirm details with each office.
Updated
Event permit.
Special Event Permit, Standard Application
Applications go through the SPUR online permitting portal and are reviewed by a city special event team covering police, fire, transportation and risk. The guidebook requires a site plan, and fees must be paid and the permit issued a week before the event.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- City of Scottsdale Tourism & Events Department
- When
- Events held on public property, on both public and private property, or on private property with impacts to city facilities and services
- Fee
- $110 non-refundable review fee plus $220 permit fee; public-property use fees are extra
- Timing
- Submit no later than 60 calendar days before the event
Special Event Permit, Simple Application
Private-property events with a modest footprint, attendance and traffic use the simple application in SPUR with a site plan. Fees must be paid and the permit issued three days before the event. Grand openings and sidewalk sales use a no-fee administrative approval instead.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- City of Scottsdale Tourism & Events Department
- When
- Events held entirely on private property that need no city services beyond what the site normally uses; a staff review can move an event to the standard category
- Fee
- $110 non-refundable review fee plus $55 permit fee
- Timing
- Submit no later than 30 calendar days before the event
Parks and public space.
City parks and event venues
These venues do not need a special event permit unless the event extends beyond the premises, but each has its own approval and reservation process; the guidebook lists venue contacts. Events that use public property in their footprint pay use fees before the permit issues.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- City of Scottsdale (Parks and individual venues)
- When
- Events at city parks, Scottsdale Stadium, Civic Center and Sports Complex
Fire safety, tents and cooking.
Fire Department review, tent permit and propane rules
The Fire Department reviews tents, propane and cooking equipment as part of the permit. A tent with sides over 400 sq ft, or a sideless canopy over 700 sq ft, needs a tent permit; pop-up canopies can be grouped up to 7 before a 10-foot break. Generators of 20 kW or more need their own permit.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- Scottsdale Fire Department
- When
- Events with tents or canopies, cooking equipment, propane or generators
Other rules.
Insurance for events on city property
The standard minimum is commercial general liability of $1,000,000 per occurrence with a $2,000,000 general aggregate, naming the City of Scottsdale as additional insured, plus $1,000,000 commercial auto. Liquor liability of $2,000,000 or $5,000,000 per occurrence applies where alcohol is served on city property.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- City of Scottsdale Safety & Risk Management
- When
- Events held on city or public property; amounts set by Risk Management by event size and risk
Vendor and business licenses.
Scottsdale Business Registration License (Merchant)
The city requires a Business Registration License for businesses located in Scottsdale; the merchant license is obtained with a copy of the state TPT license showing the Scottsdale (SC) region code. Out-of-town vendors at an event are told only to hold the TPT license.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- City of Scottsdale Business Services / Tax and License
- When
- Businesses located in Scottsdale. The event guidebook asks event vendors for a TPT license with the Scottsdale region code rather than a separate event license.
Sales tax.
Arizona TPT license with Scottsdale (SC) region code
The guidebook says vendors who sell products, food or drinks at an event must hold a state TPT license with Scottsdale listed as a region code. Space rental, entry fees, advertising and out-of-state order-taking are taxable, and vendors with back taxes owed may be barred.
- Who
- Organizer and vendors
- From
- Arizona Department of Revenue
- When
- Event sponsor or promoter, all food, beverage and product vendors, and amusement operators at a Scottsdale special event
Arizona Transaction Privilege Tax (TPT) license for special events
Vendors who sell at events are responsible for collecting and remitting TPT under the retail classification, applying with the Arizona Joint Tax Application (JT-1). A promoter may hold a license and collect for vendors only if a central cash register is used; vendors selling independently must be licensed themselves.
- Who
- Organizer and vendors
- From
- Arizona Department of Revenue
- When
- Anyone selling tangible personal property at a craft show, swap meet or special event
Food vendors.
Special Event Coordinator registration and temporary food establishment permits
The event coordinator registers the event online through the county Permit Center and submits a vendor list with permit numbers. Only vendors holding mobile food, temporary food or catering permits may serve food, and each booth needs a certified food protection manager on site. The city also asks event producers to register a planned event with the county online (no fee) when food or beverage is part of the event.
- Who
- Organizer and vendors
- From
- Maricopa County Environmental Services Department
- When
- Any event in Scottsdale where food or beverages are sold, sampled or given away
- Timing
- Submit the application online 30 days prior to the start of the special event
What the rules ask of organizers about vendors.
Scottsdale requires the event applicant to give the city's Tax and License Division a list of participating vendors within 14 days after the event, with each vendor's TPT license number or its business name, address, email and phone. Arizona law also requires event operators to keep a current vendor list (A.R.S. 42-1105 G).
When to apply.
- Special Event Permit, Standard Application: Submit no later than 60 calendar days before the event
- Special Event Permit, Simple Application: Submit no later than 30 calendar days before the event
- Special Event Coordinator registration and temporary food establishment permits: Submit the application online 30 days prior to the start of the special 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 Scottsdale, AZ?
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 guidebook used is the 8th Edition, dated July 2026, linked from the city's Special Event Planning & Permits page.
- Farmers markets (recurring markets of locally made, grown or prepared goods) can run once a week up to 52 times a year at one property; other special events are limited to 10 consecutive or 24 total days a year.
- Art-related events in Old Town are restricted on Thursday evenings because of ArtWalk.
- Maricopa County temporary food permit fees were not confirmed on a fetched official page as of 2026-10-10; ask Maricopa County Environmental Services at 602-506-6824.
Common questions.
Do I need a permit to host a vendor market in Scottsdale?
Special Event Permit, Standard Application (City of Scottsdale Tourism & Events Department): Applications go through the SPUR online permitting portal and are reviewed by a city special event team covering police, fire, transportation and risk. The guidebook requires a site plan, and fees must be paid and the permit issued a week before the event. Special Event Permit, Simple Application (City of Scottsdale Tourism & Events Department): Private-property events with a modest footprint, attendance and traffic use the simple application in SPUR with a site plan. Fees must be paid and the permit issued three days before the event. Grand openings and sidewalk sales use a no-fee administrative approval instead.
Do vendors need a license to sell at events in Scottsdale?
Scottsdale Business Registration License (Merchant) (City of Scottsdale Business Services / Tax and License): The city requires a Business Registration License for businesses located in Scottsdale; the merchant license is obtained with a copy of the state TPT license showing the Scottsdale (SC) region code. Out-of-town vendors at an event are told only to hold the TPT license.
Who handles sales tax at a market in Scottsdale?
Arizona TPT license with Scottsdale (SC) region code (Arizona Department of Revenue): The guidebook says vendors who sell products, food or drinks at an event must hold a state TPT license with Scottsdale listed as a region code. Space rental, entry fees, advertising and out-of-state order-taking are taxable, and vendors with back taxes owed may be barred. Arizona Transaction Privilege Tax (TPT) license for special events (Arizona Department of Revenue): Vendors who sell at events are responsible for collecting and remitting TPT under the retail classification, applying with the Arizona Joint Tax Application (JT-1). A promoter may hold a license and collect for vendors only if a central cash register is used; vendors selling independently must be licensed themselves. For organizers: Scottsdale requires the event applicant to give the city's Tax and License Division a list of participating vendors within 14 days after the event, with each vendor's TPT license number or its business name, address, email and phone. Arizona law also requires event operators to keep a current vendor list (A.R.S. 42-1105 G).
Do food vendors need a separate permit in Scottsdale?
Special Event Coordinator registration and temporary food establishment permits (Maricopa County Environmental Services Department): The event coordinator registers the event online through the county Permit Center and submits a vendor list with permit numbers. Only vendors holding mobile food, temporary food or catering permits may serve food, and each booth needs a certified food protection manager on site. The city also asks event producers to register a planned event with the county online (no fee) when food or beverage is part of the event.
How far ahead should I apply in Scottsdale?
Special Event Permit, Standard Application: Submit no later than 60 calendar days before the event Special Event Permit, Simple Application: Submit no later than 30 calendar days before the event Special Event Coordinator registration and temporary food establishment permits: Submit the application online 30 days prior to the start of the special 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: Tourism and Events Office (special event team meetings): 480-312-7177
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.scottsdaleaz.gov/docs/default-source/scottsdaleaz/tourism/special-event-guidebook.pdf
- https://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/special-events
- https://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/licenses
- https://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/taxes/reporting-payments
- https://azdor.gov/transaction-privilege-tax/special-events-craft-shows-trade-shows/vendors
- https://www.maricopa.gov/6566/102769/Special-Event-Requirements
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