Running a vendor market in St. Paul.

Special event permit (events affecting city streets) (Saint Paul Police Department, Special Operations Unit): The Special Operations Unit runs the application and approval process for events that affect streets, with a city permit committee review for new and larger events. Applicants must carry liability insurance naming the city as additional insured ($300,000 per person claim and $1,000,000 aggregate); residential block parties are exempt from insurance. Park event permit (Saint Paul Parks and Recreation): Any event in a city park needs a permit from Parks and Recreation, which manages the process for events held only on park land. The guidebook points applicants to the Parks permit office and says other approvals (food, alcohol, tents) are still needed from other departments.

Peddler license (Saint Paul Department of Safety and Inspections (DSI)): Applicants must be 18 or older, show Minnesota Secretary of State registration and assumed name filing (or a signed statement) and a workers' compensation certificate, and visit DSI in person for a photo ID badge. The license lasts one year. The page does not say whether craft vendors at a temporary private market need one, so confirm with DSI. Second hand dealer - exhibition license (Saint Paul Department of Safety and Inspections (DSI)): Applicants provide a $5,000 surety bond, workers' compensation documentation and site and floor plans, and need inspection approval from Licensing before the event. The license is valid only for the scheduled event dates. The page does not say whether the market operator or each seller holds it.

Minnesota sales tax registration and Operator Certificate of Compliance (ST19) (Minnesota Department of Revenue): Sellers must be registered to collect Minnesota sales tax and any local taxes before the event starts. Certain individuals who sell at one event per year of no more than three days with $500 or less in sales can skip registration by giving the operator a written statement. Booth space rentals are not taxable; admission to selling events is not taxable. For organizers: Minnesota law says that before an operator of a craft show, art fair, flea market or similar event rents space to a seller, the operator must have proof the seller is registered for Minnesota sales tax, or a written statement that no taxable items are sold or that the seller qualifies for the isolated and occasional exemption. Sellers use Form ST19 (Operator Certificate of Compliance). Operators keep the forms for at least three and a half years and can be fined $100 per noncompliant seller per day.

Special event food stand license (Minnesota Department of Health, Food, Pools, and Lodging Services): The Saint Paul special events guidebook says any event that sells or gives away food needs approval from the Minnesota Department of Health, and Ramsey County says it licenses food businesses everywhere in the county except Saint Paul and Maplewood. The state's fee schedule lists a special event food stand license with no plan review. Confirm the licensing agency for your stand with the Department of Health.

Special event permit (events affecting city streets): At least 60 days for new events and 90 days for recurring events (police page); the 2025 guidebook says 60 days for all events except residential block parties (30 days) Minnesota sales tax registration and Operator Certificate of Compliance (ST19): Register before the event begins