# Vendor event permits in Spokane, WA

To run a vendor market in Spokane, an organizer applies for a city Special Event Permit when the event uses public property or needs public safety services, with a fee set by expected attendance. Vendors need a Spokane business registration and Washington sales tax registration, and food booths need a Spokane Regional Health District temporary food permit.

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

## For the organizer: Event permit

### Special Event Permit
The application is filed online and the city's departments respond within about 10 days with any added requirements. Fire permits, park use, temporary entertainment facility charges and services such as off-duty police are extra.
- Who: organizer
- From: City of Spokane
- When: Pre-planned events using or affecting public property or facilities, or needing city public safety services, such as events with street closures, moving routes, sound amplification or over 10,000 attendees
- Fee: Application fee by size: $50 (50 or fewer people), $100 (51-1,000), $250 (1,001-10,000), $500 (10,001 or more)
- Timing: Apply as early as 90 days and no less than 30 days before the event
- Official page: https://my.spokanecity.org/account/permits/

## For the organizer: Other rules

### Event liability insurance
The city is named as additional insured; the permits page says a homeowner's policy may substitute for small residential events.
- Who: organizer
- From: City of Spokane
- When: Special event permit holders
- Fee: Comprehensive general liability of at least $1 million single limit
- Official page: https://my.spokanecity.org/account/permits/

## For vendors: Vendor and business licenses

### Temporary business registration and itinerant vendor permit
The city says no one may do business in or with the city without a valid temporary business registration, and itinerant vendors need a permit on top of it. Both can be obtained online through the city's permit portal or by PDF application. The page states no fee.
- Who: vendors
- From: City of Spokane Taxes and Licenses
- When: Businesses with no permanent location, or doing business in the city without a regular registration; itinerant vendors selling from fixed or temporary spots
- Official page: https://my.spokanecity.org/business/doing-business/licenses/

## For vendors: Sales tax

### Retail sales tax
Sellers collect sales tax from customers and remit it as trust funds with their excise tax return. The state rate is 6.5% and the local rate varies by location, based on where the customer receives the goods.
- Who: vendors
- From: Washington State Department of Revenue
- When: Businesses making retail sales in Washington, including at events.
- Official page: https://dor.wa.gov/taxes-rates/retail-sales-tax

### Temporary Registration Certificate
Each certificate covers one event only. Register online or through a local field office, no earlier than six months before the event, and file the certificate form within 10 business days after the event; it cannot be filed online.
- Who: vendors
- From: Washington State Department of Revenue
- When: A business with no more than two events per year in Washington, each lasting no longer than one month, such as home, garden or craft shows, antique shows or fairs. Not available to established Washington businesses or those needing another agency's permit.
- Fee: There is no fee for a Temporary Registration Certificate
- Official page: https://dor.wa.gov/open-business/types-businesses/temporary-businesses

## For vendors: Food vendors

### Temporary food establishment (TFE) permit
Fees depend on the menu risk level and number of days. Applications under 3 days before the event are not accepted, and large-event organizers pay a separate fee by number of food vendors.
- Who: organizer and vendors
- From: Spokane Regional Health District
- When: Selling or giving away food or drink to the public at a community event in Spokane County
- Fee: Level 1 from $120 (1 day) to $180 (annual); Level 2 from $325 to $400; Level 3 from $400 to $520 (recurring); large-event organizer $500 (20-39 food vendors) or $1,250 (40+)
- Timing: At least 14 days before the event or fees may double
- Official page: https://srhd.org/programs-and-services/foodsafety/temporary-food-establishment-permits

## What the rules ask of organizers about vendors

A special event promoter (someone who organizes, operates or sponsors an event and contracts with vendors) must make a good faith effort to verify every vendor selling goods or services has a Department of Revenue tax registration number, put that requirement and a number field in written vendor contracts, keep each vendor's name, address and number for one year, and give the Department a vendor list within 20 days of a written request. Penalties include $100 per unregistered vendor, with exclusions for nonprofit-benefit events and events charging vendors $200 or less. (https://dor.wa.gov/forms-publications/publications-subject/tax-topics/special-event-promoters-requirements)

## Where the sources are unclear

- The Department of Revenue's Spokane endorsement page lists fees for non-resident businesses (none at $0-$4,000 gross income in the city, $65.50 plus employee fees at $4,000-$18,000), but it does not say how they apply to a temporary registration; ask Taxes and Licenses at 509-625-6070.
- The Spokane permits page mentions fire permits of about $210; no Spokane Fire Department page was read for tent or cooking rules.
- Spokane Regional Health District fees come from its fee page, which does not show a revision date.

## Questions

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

Special Event Permit (City of Spokane): The application is filed online and the city's departments respond within about 10 days with any added requirements. Fire permits, park use, temporary entertainment facility charges and services such as off-duty police are extra.

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

Temporary business registration and itinerant vendor permit (City of Spokane Taxes and Licenses): The city says no one may do business in or with the city without a valid temporary business registration, and itinerant vendors need a permit on top of it. Both can be obtained online through the city's permit portal or by PDF application. The page states no fee.

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

Retail sales tax (Washington State Department of Revenue): Sellers collect sales tax from customers and remit it as trust funds with their excise tax return. The state rate is 6.5% and the local rate varies by location, based on where the customer receives the goods. Temporary Registration Certificate (Washington State Department of Revenue): Each certificate covers one event only. Register online or through a local field office, no earlier than six months before the event, and file the certificate form within 10 business days after the event; it cannot be filed online. For organizers: A special event promoter (someone who organizes, operates or sponsors an event and contracts with vendors) must make a good faith effort to verify every vendor selling goods or services has a Department of Revenue tax registration number, put that requirement and a number field in written vendor contracts, keep each vendor's name, address and number for one year, and give the Department a vendor list within 20 days of a written request. Penalties include $100 per unregistered vendor, with exclusions for nonprofit-benefit events and events charging vendors $200 or less.

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

Temporary food establishment (TFE) permit (Spokane Regional Health District): Fees depend on the menu risk level and number of days. Applications under 3 days before the event are not accepted, and large-event organizers pay a separate fee by number of food vendors.

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

Special Event Permit: Apply as early as 90 days and no less than 30 days before the event Temporary food establishment (TFE) permit: At least 14 days before the event or fees may double

## Sources

- https://my.spokanecity.org/account/permits/
- https://my.spokanecity.org/business/doing-business/licenses/
- https://dor.wa.gov/manage-business/city-license-endorsements/spokane
- https://dor.wa.gov/taxes-rates/retail-sales-tax
- https://dor.wa.gov/open-business/types-businesses/temporary-businesses
- https://dor.wa.gov/forms-publications/publications-subject/tax-topics/special-event-promoters-requirements
- https://srhd.org/programs-and-services/foodsafety/temporary-food-establishment-permits
- https://srhd.org/programs-and-services/foodsafety/fees

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