# Vendor event permits in Shreveport, LA

To run a vendor market in Shreveport, the organizer files a Special Permit Application with SPAR Event Services at least 45 days ahead for review by the Event Task Force. Food vendors need a Louisiana Department of Health temporary food permit, vendors register for Louisiana sales tax, and vendors holding a business need a city occupational license.

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

## For the organizer: Event permit

### Special Permit Application (Mini Festival / Festival Plaza and other event types)
A complete application includes the filled form, a certificate of insurance, a site map and equipment, electrical and plumbing requests. Submission does not confirm the event until the Event Task Force approves, advertising cannot start before approval, and police, EMS and fire prevention charges are paid on the event day. Admission fees are not allowed in city parks, and alcohol in parks needs legislation and permits.
- Who: organizer
- From: City of Shreveport Department of Public Assembly and Recreation (SPAR) Event Services, with the Event Task Force
- When: Festivals and markets on city parks, plazas, streets or other city property
- Timing: Submit at least 45 calendar days before the first day of the event; vendor load-in timeline due 30 days before
- Official page: https://myspar.org/DocumentCenter/View/1977/Mini-Festival-App

## For the organizer: Parks and public space

### City parks and shelters
The city says rental of a park or shelter is not available because those facilities are first come, first served at no cost. Organized events in parks go through the Special Permit Application, and community centers and other facilities have their own rental information.
- Who: organizer
- From: City of Shreveport Parks and Recreation (SPAR)
- When: Using a city park or shelter
- Official page: https://www.shreveportla.gov/FAQ.aspx?QID=232

## For the organizer: Fire safety, tents and cooking

### Fire prevention conditions in the event application
The application tells organizers to contact the Fire Department at least two weeks before the event and 30 days before for fireworks. Generators may not be refueled while running or during the event, grease cooking needs a K-class extinguisher and other cooking a red extinguisher, and rides and inflatables must be inspected by the Louisiana State Fire Marshal.
- Who: organizer and vendors
- From: Shreveport Fire Department, Fire Prevention
- When: Events with fireworks, cooking, generators, carnival rides or inflatables
- Timing: Contact Fire Prevention at least 2 weeks before the event; 30 days before for fireworks
- Official page: https://myspar.org/DocumentCenter/View/1977/Mini-Festival-App

## For the organizer: Other rules

### Event insurance and security
The application requires commercial general liability insurance of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate naming the City of Shreveport as additional insured, workers' compensation if applicable, and each food vendor must carry its own certificate of liability insurance. Uniformed off-duty city police officers are required if alcohol is served, arranged through the Special Events Unit.
- Who: organizer
- From: City of Shreveport (SPAR) and Shreveport Police Department
- When: Events approved through the Special Permit Application
- Official page: https://myspar.org/DocumentCenter/View/1977/Mini-Festival-App

## For vendors: Vendor and business licenses

### Occupational / business license
All businesses inside the corporate limits need an annual license, and the page says the license is a receipt for taxes paid rather than authorization to do business. To finish an application you need a Caddo-Shreveport Sales and Use Tax number and state and federal tax IDs; the city issues a temporary license for the first 30 days.
- Who: vendors
- From: City of Shreveport Department of Finance, Revenue Division
- When: Businesses operating within the city limits; the page does not mention a one-day event license
- Fee: $50 initial fee for the first six months of the year and $25 from July 1; tax by gross receipts, minimum $50 for retail
- Official page: https://www.shreveportla.gov/286/Occupational-License-Tax

## For vendors: Sales tax

### Louisiana sales tax account for special events (Form R-16019)
Vendors register for a Louisiana revenue account on Form R-16019, marking the special-event boxes, and file the R-1029SE Special Events return. The state page says the state rate is 5% since January 1, 2025, and vendors must also contact local tax authorities for local rates. Booth and space fees are not subject to sales tax, but admission fees are.
- Who: vendors
- From: Louisiana Department of Revenue
- When: Every vendor making retail sales at a special event, resident or not, even if selling once a year
- Timing: Mail the application at least 2-3 weeks before the event
- Official page: https://revenue.louisiana.gov/tax-education-and-faqs/faqs/fairs-festivals-and-other-special-events/how-can-i-register-with-the-louisiana-department-of-revenue-if-i-sell-items-at-special-events/

## For vendors: Food vendors

### Temporary food service permit (fair or festival / special event)
The sanitary code requires the organizer or promoter to hold a permit from the local parish health unit, and each individual food operator running a booth also needs a permit that is posted at the booth. The state fee schedule lists a flat fee for a fair or festival on written request, with a permit issued to each approved stand but no fee collected from each stand, and a separate flat fee for a special event or temporary permit.
- Who: organizer and vendors
- From: Louisiana Department of Health, Office of Public Health (parish health unit)
- When: Fairs, festivals and special events with temporary food establishments operating up to 21 consecutive days in one location. Fairs or festivals expressly exempted by R.S. 40:4.1 through 40:4.6 need no permit unless the organizer requests inspections in writing.
- Fee: $25.00 flat per event for a Fair or Festival (written request); $25.00 flat for a Special Event/Temporary Permit
- Timing: Application should be received at least 30 days in advance of the proposed gathering
- Official page: https://www.doa.la.gov/media/dtxju50z/51.docx

## What the rules ask of organizers about vendors

Louisiana's Department of Revenue says promoters and event coordinators must notify the Department of the event and send a list of all participating vendors, including exempt vendors and display-only booths, at least 30 days before the event, with an updated list within 2 weeks after it, and must give vendors the Department's tax materials. (https://revenue.louisiana.gov/tax-education-and-faqs/faqs/fairs-festivals-and-other-special-events/what-are-the-responsibilities-of-a-promotor-or-an-event-coordinator/)

## Where the sources are unclear

- Two Department of Revenue pages give different vendor-list timing: the promoter responsibilities FAQ says at least 30 days before the event, while the page on listing participating vendors says to give each taxing authority the list two weeks before. Use the longer 30-day lead time.
- The LDH fee schedule and fundraiser guide are undated. The 30-day application lead time is from the Sanitary Code (LAC 51:XXIII.4705); the LDH retail food program page itself states no temporary permit details.
- The permit application is published on myspar.org, the Shreveport Public Assembly and Recreation department site, not on shreveportla.gov; the shreveportla.gov pages searched did not list a special event permit form.
- The application tells organizers to ask the Caddo/Shreveport Sales & Use Tax Commission (318-865-3312) and the Louisiana Department of Revenue whether sales taxes apply to the event.
- The Special Permit Application page does not state a permit fee; facility rent and equipment are quoted per event.
- Shreveport has a separate parade vendor license and fee in its Mardi Gras ordinance; it was not read here.

## Questions

**Do I need a permit to host a vendor market in Shreveport?**

Special Permit Application (Mini Festival / Festival Plaza and other event types) (City of Shreveport Department of Public Assembly and Recreation (SPAR) Event Services, with the Event Task Force): A complete application includes the filled form, a certificate of insurance, a site map and equipment, electrical and plumbing requests. Submission does not confirm the event until the Event Task Force approves, advertising cannot start before approval, and police, EMS and fire prevention charges are paid on the event day. Admission fees are not allowed in city parks, and alcohol in parks needs legislation and permits. City parks and shelters (City of Shreveport Parks and Recreation (SPAR)): The city says rental of a park or shelter is not available because those facilities are first come, first served at no cost. Organized events in parks go through the Special Permit Application, and community centers and other facilities have their own rental information.

**Do vendors need a license to sell at events in Shreveport?**

Occupational / business license (City of Shreveport Department of Finance, Revenue Division): All businesses inside the corporate limits need an annual license, and the page says the license is a receipt for taxes paid rather than authorization to do business. To finish an application you need a Caddo-Shreveport Sales and Use Tax number and state and federal tax IDs; the city issues a temporary license for the first 30 days.

**Who handles sales tax at a market in Shreveport?**

Louisiana sales tax account for special events (Form R-16019) (Louisiana Department of Revenue): Vendors register for a Louisiana revenue account on Form R-16019, marking the special-event boxes, and file the R-1029SE Special Events return. The state page says the state rate is 5% since January 1, 2025, and vendors must also contact local tax authorities for local rates. Booth and space fees are not subject to sales tax, but admission fees are. For organizers: Louisiana's Department of Revenue says promoters and event coordinators must notify the Department of the event and send a list of all participating vendors, including exempt vendors and display-only booths, at least 30 days before the event, with an updated list within 2 weeks after it, and must give vendors the Department's tax materials.

**Do food vendors need a separate permit in Shreveport?**

Temporary food service permit (fair or festival / special event) (Louisiana Department of Health, Office of Public Health (parish health unit)): The sanitary code requires the organizer or promoter to hold a permit from the local parish health unit, and each individual food operator running a booth also needs a permit that is posted at the booth. The state fee schedule lists a flat fee for a fair or festival on written request, with a permit issued to each approved stand but no fee collected from each stand, and a separate flat fee for a special event or temporary permit.

**How far ahead should I apply in Shreveport?**

Special Permit Application (Mini Festival / Festival Plaza and other event types): Submit at least 45 calendar days before the first day of the event; vendor load-in timeline due 30 days before Fire prevention conditions in the event application: Contact Fire Prevention at least 2 weeks before the event; 30 days before for fireworks Louisiana sales tax account for special events (Form R-16019): Mail the application at least 2-3 weeks before the event Temporary food service permit (fair or festival / special event): Application should be received at least 30 days in advance of the proposed gathering

## Sources

- https://myspar.org/DocumentCenter/View/1977/Mini-Festival-App
- https://myspar.org/DocumentCenter/View/1361/Festival-Plaza---RiverView-Park-App
- https://www.shreveportla.gov/FAQ.aspx?QID=232
- https://www.shreveportla.gov/286/Occupational-License-Tax
- https://www.shreveportla.gov/1607/Guidelines-for-Opening-a-Business
- https://revenue.louisiana.gov/tax-education-and-faqs/faqs/fairs-festivals-and-other-special-events/how-can-i-register-with-the-louisiana-department-of-revenue-if-i-sell-items-at-special-events/
- https://revenue.louisiana.gov/businesses/general-sales-and-use-taxes/special-events-craft-shows-and-trade-shows/
- https://revenue.louisiana.gov/tax-education-and-faqs/faqs/fairs-festivals-and-other-special-events/are-admission-charges-and-entry-fees-taxable/
- https://www.doa.la.gov/media/dtxju50z/51.docx
- https://ldh.la.gov/assets/oph/Center-EH/sanitarian/retailfood/RetailFoodPermitFeeSchedule.pdf
- https://ldh.la.gov/assets/oph/Center-EH/sanitarian/retailfood/FundraiserGuide.pdf
- https://ldh.la.gov/bureau-of-sanitarian-services/retail-food
- https://revenue.louisiana.gov/tax-education-and-faqs/faqs/fairs-festivals-and-other-special-events/what-are-the-responsibilities-of-a-promotor-or-an-event-coordinator/

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