# Vendor event permits in Stafford County, VA

In Stafford County, VA, festivals, parades, street closures and events needing county public-safety resources go through the county's online Special Events Application at Fire and Rescue. Food vendors need a $40 Rappahannock Health District permit, vendors file Virginia's ST-50 sales tax return, and the county has no business license, only a business registration.

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

## For the organizer: Event permit

### Special Events Application
The organizer files the online Special Events Application (paper is not accepted); if the event is at a county facility, the Facility Use Application is completed and approved first. The county says the process is meant to help organizers get the permits the state and county require.
- Who: organizer
- From: Stafford County Fire and Rescue Department (Emergency Management)
- When: Parades, carnivals, festivals, non-residential block parties, and runs or walks; events of 1,000 or more at a county facility; events needing county security, traffic, fire or EMS resources; and events closing a street or right of way. Private residential block parties or park rentals may not need it but may still need a permit.
- Official page: https://staffordcountyva.gov/government/departments_f-o/fire_and_rescue/emergency_management/special_events.php

## For vendors: Vendor and business licenses

### Business registration (Stafford has no business license or BPOL)
The Commissioner of the Revenue says the county has no business license or BPOL, but businesses located in Stafford must register, receive a Business Registration Certificate, and file an annual business property return due February 15.
- Who: vendors
- From: Stafford County Commissioner of the Revenue
- When: Businesses located in Stafford County. The page does not say whether out-of-county vendors at a one-day event must register.
- Official page: https://staffordcountyva.gov/government/elected_and_appointed_officials/commissioner_of_the_revenue/business_taxes/new_business.php

## For vendors: Sales tax

### Temporary Sales Tax Certificate/Return (Form ST-50)
The vendor collects sales tax at the rate of the locality where the event is held and files the ST-50 with payment by the 20th of the month after the event. The form lists a 5.3% general rate and 6% in the Northern Virginia, Hampton Roads and Central Virginia regions.
- Who: vendors
- From: Virginia Department of Taxation (Virginia Tax)
- When: Vendors without a permanent Virginia sales tax account who sell taxable goods at a show, fair or event
- Timing: Return due on or before the 20th of the month following the show
- Official page: https://www.tax.virginia.gov/sites/default/files/taxforms/retail-sales-and-use/any/st-50-any.pdf

### Permanent sales tax account for frequent event sellers
Virginia Tax says vendors at more than three events a year must register a sales tax account, and seasonal sellers can register as a seasonal business so they file only for the months they sell. Registration is done online through Virginia Tax's business registration page.
- Who: vendors
- From: Virginia Department of Taxation (Virginia Tax)
- When: Vendors who sell at events regularly. Virginia Tax's festival-season page says more than 3 events a year; the ST-50 form says 3 or more shows a year
- Official page: https://www.tax.virginia.gov/news/vendor-tips-fall-festival-season

### Fairs and flea markets are not "occasional sales" (23VAC10-210-570)
The regulation says sellers at fairs and flea markets must hold a certificate of registration and collect and remit tax, with no distinction between profit and nonprofit vendors, and they cannot use the occasional-sale exemption. It also lets the Department authorize a sponsor or operator to remit the tax for the vendors.
- Who: organizer and vendors
- From: Virginia Department of Taxation (Virginia Tax)
- When: Anyone selling tangible goods at a fair, flea market, carnival or circus, including nonprofits
- Official page: https://law.lis.virginia.gov/admincode/title23/agency10/chapter210/section570/

## For vendors: Food vendors

### Temporary Food Establishment (temporary event) permit
Each vendor files the Temporary Event Application with the local health department. Large special events with 10 or more vendors also need the organizer's Temporary Event Coordinator Application. The state page adds that a vendor with a valid permanent VDH food permit generally does not need a second permit.
- Who: organizer and vendors
- From: Virginia Department of Health, Rappahannock Health District
- When: Anyone selling or serving food at a public event in the Rappahannock Health District, which covers Fredericksburg, Stafford, Spotsylvania, Caroline and King George. Stafford's environmental health office is at 1739 Jefferson Davis Highway, 540-288-9018
- Fee: $40 Temporary Event Application fee
- Timing: Vendor application at least 10 days before the event; coordinator application 30 days before for events with 10 or more vendors
- Official page: https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/rappahannock/services/food-services/

## What the rules ask of organizers about vendors

Virginia Tax's rule for fairs and flea markets says the Department may authorize a sponsor or operator to remit the tax collected by the vendors at the event; an operator who wants that arrangement must apply to the Department in writing. The rule does not require a vendor list. A 1992 Tax Commissioner ruling also describes an organizer obtaining a single temporary registration covering all sellers at the event, which is optional. (https://law.lis.virginia.gov/admincode/title23/agency10/chapter210/section570/)

## Where the sources are unclear

- No official page read for Stafford fire, tent or propane rules as of 2026-10-11: the Fire Prevention Code permit guide linked from the Fire and Rescue pages returned HTTP 404 when requested; ask the Stafford Fire Marshal.
- The Special Events Information Packet and the application form (a web form) were not readable, so fees and the lead time for the Special Events Application are not stated; ask Fire and Rescue.
- No official page found for a Stafford permit for a market on private property as of 2026-10-11; the Special Events page says some events may not need the special event process but may still need a permit.
- Event-count threshold differs by source: the ST-50 form says sellers at 3 or more shows a year must register for a permanent sales tax account, while Virginia Tax's festival-season page says sellers at more than 3 events must register. Confirm with Virginia Tax at (804) 367-8037.
- A 1992 Virginia Tax Commissioner ruling (https://www.tax.virginia.gov/laws-rules-decisions/rulings-tax-commissioner/92-91) describes an organizer obtaining one temporary registration for all sellers at an event; this is optional and the ruling is old, so confirm with Virginia Tax.

## Questions

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

Special Events Application (Stafford County Fire and Rescue Department (Emergency Management)): The organizer files the online Special Events Application (paper is not accepted); if the event is at a county facility, the Facility Use Application is completed and approved first. The county says the process is meant to help organizers get the permits the state and county require.

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

Business registration (Stafford has no business license or BPOL) (Stafford County Commissioner of the Revenue): The Commissioner of the Revenue says the county has no business license or BPOL, but businesses located in Stafford must register, receive a Business Registration Certificate, and file an annual business property return due February 15.

**Who handles sales tax at a market in Stafford County?**

Temporary Sales Tax Certificate/Return (Form ST-50) (Virginia Department of Taxation (Virginia Tax)): The vendor collects sales tax at the rate of the locality where the event is held and files the ST-50 with payment by the 20th of the month after the event. The form lists a 5.3% general rate and 6% in the Northern Virginia, Hampton Roads and Central Virginia regions. Permanent sales tax account for frequent event sellers (Virginia Department of Taxation (Virginia Tax)): Virginia Tax says vendors at more than three events a year must register a sales tax account, and seasonal sellers can register as a seasonal business so they file only for the months they sell. Registration is done online through Virginia Tax's business registration page. For organizers: Virginia Tax's rule for fairs and flea markets says the Department may authorize a sponsor or operator to remit the tax collected by the vendors at the event; an operator who wants that arrangement must apply to the Department in writing. The rule does not require a vendor list. A 1992 Tax Commissioner ruling also describes an organizer obtaining a single temporary registration covering all sellers at the event, which is optional.

**Do food vendors need a separate permit in Stafford County?**

Temporary Food Establishment (temporary event) permit (Virginia Department of Health, Rappahannock Health District): Each vendor files the Temporary Event Application with the local health department. Large special events with 10 or more vendors also need the organizer's Temporary Event Coordinator Application. The state page adds that a vendor with a valid permanent VDH food permit generally does not need a second permit.

**How far ahead should I apply in Stafford County?**

Temporary Sales Tax Certificate/Return (Form ST-50): Return due on or before the 20th of the month following the show Temporary Food Establishment (temporary event) permit: Vendor application at least 10 days before the event; coordinator application 30 days before for events with 10 or more vendors

## Sources

- https://staffordcountyva.gov/government/departments_f-o/fire_and_rescue/emergency_management/special_events.php
- https://staffordcountyva.gov/government/elected_and_appointed_officials/commissioner_of_the_revenue/business_taxes/new_business.php
- https://staffordcountyva.gov/government/elected_and_appointed_officials/commissioner_of_the_revenue/business_taxes/annual_business_filing.php
- https://www.tax.virginia.gov/sites/default/files/taxforms/retail-sales-and-use/any/st-50-any.pdf
- https://www.tax.virginia.gov/news/vendor-tips-fall-festival-season
- https://www.tax.virginia.gov/register-business-virginia
- https://law.lis.virginia.gov/admincode/title23/agency10/chapter210/section570/
- https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/rappahannock/services/food-services/
- https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/environmental-health/food-safety-in-virginia/tfe/
- https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/rappahannock/stafford-county-health-department/

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