# Vendor event permits in St. Mary's County, MD

In St. Mary's County, MD, an event in a county park starts with a Park Reservation Request to Recreation and Parks at least 30 days ahead, with insurance naming the county. Park vendors file a vendor application, food vendors need a Health Department temporary food permit, and other vendors get a Comptroller temporary sales tax license.

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

## For the organizer: Event permit

### Park Reservation Request (special event in a county park)
The organizer submits the request online, in person or by mail; park operations contacts the organizer within 10 business days to discuss feasibility and fees. Required documents are due two weeks before the event, and the organizer must provide a liability insurance certificate naming the county as additional insured.
- Who: organizer
- From: St. Mary's County Recreation and Parks
- When: Special events, including fairs, festivals, fundraisers and shows, held in county parks and facilities
- Fee: $50 non-refundable application fee ($100 if received under 30 days ahead); park reservation fee $750 nonprofit or $800 commercial; staffing $24/hour/staff member
- Timing: Application at least 30 days before the event; documents and fees at least two weeks before
- Official page: https://www.stmaryscountymd.gov/docs/specialeventthirdpartyrequestform.pdf

## For the organizer: Parks and public space

### Park Vendor Application
Vendors apply online with supporting documents and a signed indemnity clause; after approval they pay the balance online or at the Recreation and Parks office at least 3 business days before the first date, or the permit is invalid. A map of approved spaces is emailed at least a week before.
- Who: vendors
- From: St. Mary's County Recreation and Parks
- When: Any vendor selling items in county parks (the park reservation form says food vendors must attach their Health Department permit)
- Timing: Application at least two weeks before the first date
- Official page: https://www.stmaryscountymd.gov/Recreate/Recreation/Parks/ParkVendorApp/

## For the organizer: Other rules

### Outdoor music festival site permit
State regulations require a permit at that size; the Environmental Health Division reviews the festival site plan and decides whether to issue it.
- Who: organizer
- From: St. Mary's County Health Department, Environmental Health
- When: Outdoor music festivals expecting 1,000 or more spectators
- Official page: https://smchd.org/permits-records/environmental-health-permits-licensing/

## For vendors: Vendor and business licenses

### Trader's License (or Exhibitor's Affidavit at a show)
Maryland trader's licenses are issued by the county Circuit Court Clerk (St. Mary's County clerk: 301-475-7844) for a May 1 to April 30 license year. The Comptroller says a promoter must collect each exhibitor's trader's license copy or Exhibitor's Affidavit before the show.
- Who: vendors
- From: Clerk of the Circuit Court for St. Mary's County, for the Comptroller of Maryland
- When: Anyone selling goods in Maryland who is not a grower or manufacturer. At a show, an exhibitor does not need their own trader's license if the show is promoted by an exempt entity the Comptroller lists, or if they give the promoter an Exhibitor's Affidavit (under 10 percent of annual income from like goods, and no more than three shows in the previous 365 days).
- Official page: https://www.marylandcomptroller.gov/businesses/new-business/business-licenses.html

## For vendors: Sales tax

### Temporary Sales and Use Tax License (30 days)
A vendor contacts the Comptroller's temporary license desk with the event date, name and location plus business details, then collects Maryland sales and use tax on event sales. Vendors at three or more events a year should register for a permanent license through Maryland Tax Connect.
- Who: vendors
- From: Comptroller of Maryland
- When: Vendors without a permanent Maryland sales and use tax license who sell at one-time events such as craft shows and fairs. Maryland has one statewide rate and no local sales taxes.
- Official page: https://services.marylandcomptroller.gov/taxes?id=kb_article_view&sysparm_article=KB0010107

### Flea market sales are taxable (Business Tax Tip #14)
The Comptroller says flea market sales are taxable like any other sale and a vendor must first get a license, either a 30-day permit or a permanent license through the Combined Registration Application. The 6 percent rate is a single statewide rate with no local sales taxes, and vendors must display their license where sales are made.
- Who: vendors
- From: Comptroller of Maryland
- When: Vendors at flea markets and similar markets, including nonprofits and private individuals (casual and isolated sales under $1,000 of a seller's own household goods are exempt, but not sales by full or part-time dealers)
- Official page: https://www.marylandcomptroller.gov/content/dam/mdcomp/tax/legal-publications/tips/business/bustip14.pdf

## For vendors: Food vendors

### Temporary Food Permit
The vendor applies on the Health Department's application and the sanitarian reviews the menu, preparation, hot and cold holding, handwashing and warewashing. The county's temporary food guide says no applications are accepted on the day of the event.
- Who: vendors
- From: St. Mary's County Health Department, Environmental Health
- When: Each food booth at a public event (an advertised event is public) of up to 14 consecutive days; the health department licenses all temporary food service facilities in the county
- Fee: $60 temporary food permit; $50 late fee
- Timing: Apply at least two weeks before the event (older guide dated 2018)
- Official page: https://smchd.org/permits-records/environmental-health-permits-licensing/

## What the rules ask of organizers about vendors

A show promoter may not let an exhibitor take part unless the exhibitor has given a photocopy of a valid Trader's License or an Exhibitor's Affidavit before the show. Exhibitors must display it, and the promoter must forward all Exhibitor Affidavits to the Comptroller's State License Bureau within seven days after the show. Non-compliance is a misdemeanor with a fine up to $100 or up to 30 days in jail. (https://www.marylandcomptroller.gov/businesses/new-business/business-licenses.html)

## Where the sources are unclear

- The health department's fee schedule link is labeled 'Effective July 1, 2025' but the file name says FY 2026-2027; it lists the $60 temporary food permit and $50 late fee. The two-week lead time comes from a 2018 guide.
- No official page found for a county permit for a vendor market on private land, or for fire marshal tent rules, as of 2026-10-11; ask Recreation and Parks (301-475-4200 ext. 1800) and the Department of Land Use and Growth Management.
- The Comptroller's temporary-license page (services.marylandcomptroller.gov) loads its content by script, so the 30-day license details (email Templicense@marylandtaxes.gov, 410-767-1543 or 410-767-5462) were taken from the state hub's earlier read; Business Tax Tip #14 gives the Special Events Section number as 410-767-1540, so confirm the phone number before relying on it.

## Questions

**Do I need a permit to host a vendor market in St. Mary's County?**

Park Reservation Request (special event in a county park) (St. Mary's County Recreation and Parks): The organizer submits the request online, in person or by mail; park operations contacts the organizer within 10 business days to discuss feasibility and fees. Required documents are due two weeks before the event, and the organizer must provide a liability insurance certificate naming the county as additional insured. Park Vendor Application (St. Mary's County Recreation and Parks): Vendors apply online with supporting documents and a signed indemnity clause; after approval they pay the balance online or at the Recreation and Parks office at least 3 business days before the first date, or the permit is invalid. A map of approved spaces is emailed at least a week before.

**Do vendors need a license to sell at events in St. Mary's County?**

Trader's License (or Exhibitor's Affidavit at a show) (Clerk of the Circuit Court for St. Mary's County, for the Comptroller of Maryland): Maryland trader's licenses are issued by the county Circuit Court Clerk (St. Mary's County clerk: 301-475-7844) for a May 1 to April 30 license year. The Comptroller says a promoter must collect each exhibitor's trader's license copy or Exhibitor's Affidavit before the show.

**Who handles sales tax at a market in St. Mary's County?**

Temporary Sales and Use Tax License (30 days) (Comptroller of Maryland): A vendor contacts the Comptroller's temporary license desk with the event date, name and location plus business details, then collects Maryland sales and use tax on event sales. Vendors at three or more events a year should register for a permanent license through Maryland Tax Connect. Flea market sales are taxable (Business Tax Tip #14) (Comptroller of Maryland): The Comptroller says flea market sales are taxable like any other sale and a vendor must first get a license, either a 30-day permit or a permanent license through the Combined Registration Application. The 6 percent rate is a single statewide rate with no local sales taxes, and vendors must display their license where sales are made. For organizers: A show promoter may not let an exhibitor take part unless the exhibitor has given a photocopy of a valid Trader's License or an Exhibitor's Affidavit before the show. Exhibitors must display it, and the promoter must forward all Exhibitor Affidavits to the Comptroller's State License Bureau within seven days after the show. Non-compliance is a misdemeanor with a fine up to $100 or up to 30 days in jail.

**Do food vendors need a separate permit in St. Mary's County?**

Temporary Food Permit (St. Mary's County Health Department, Environmental Health): The vendor applies on the Health Department's application and the sanitarian reviews the menu, preparation, hot and cold holding, handwashing and warewashing. The county's temporary food guide says no applications are accepted on the day of the event.

**How far ahead should I apply in St. Mary's County?**

Park Reservation Request (special event in a county park): Application at least 30 days before the event; documents and fees at least two weeks before Park Vendor Application: Application at least two weeks before the first date Temporary Food Permit: Apply at least two weeks before the event (older guide dated 2018)

## Sources

- https://www.stmaryscountymd.gov/docs/specialeventthirdpartyrequestform.pdf
- https://www.stmaryscountymd.gov/Recreate/Recreation/Parks/ParkVendorApp/
- https://www.marylandcomptroller.gov/businesses/new-business/business-licenses.html
- https://www.mdcourts.gov/clerks/stmarys/business
- https://services.marylandcomptroller.gov/taxes?id=kb_article_view&sysparm_article=KB0010107
- https://www.marylandcomptroller.gov/content/dam/mdcomp/tax/legal-publications/tips/business/bustip14.pdf
- https://smchd.org/permits-records/environmental-health-permits-licensing/
- https://smchd.org/wp-content/uploads/EH-fee-schedule-FY-2026-2027.pdf
- http://www.smchd.org/wp-content/uploads/So-You-Want-to-Operate-a-Temporary-Food-Service_2018.pdf

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