Selling at and running markets in Maine.
Maine vendors who make regular sales register with Maine Revenue Services for a sales tax retailer certificate, with no registration fee. Homemade shelf-stable baked goods need a Home Food License from the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, while temporary event food stands are licensed by the Maine CDC Health Inspection Program.
Updated
Sales tax.
Sales tax registration (Retailer Certificate)
Maine requires sellers who make regular sales of taxable goods to register for a sales tax account and collect sales tax. Registration is done through the Maine Tax Portal or on paper, and a retailer certificate is issued for each place of business.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- Maine Revenue Services
- When
- Sellers of taxable goods or services who make regular sales in Maine, including sellers at markets and fairs
- Fee
- There is no fee for registration.
Selling homemade food (cottage food).
At a glance: license or permit, a $20 state fee. Compare all 50 states.
Home Food License
A Home Food License covers non-refrigerated foods made at home and sold outside the home; an initial kitchen inspection is required and annual inspections are not. Products sold away from the home must carry a label with the product name, ingredients, net quantity and the producer's name and address. Jams, pickles and other canned goods need extra review before licensing.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (Quality Assurance and Regulations)
- When
- Making shelf-stable foods such as baked goods in a home kitchen to sell outside the home
- Fee
- The Home Food License fee is $20/year.
Temporary food permits.
Eating Place - Temporary license (and Mobile Stick Built)
The state Health Inspection Program licenses temporary food stands, which operate at one event for no more than 14 consecutive days, and stick-built mobile units that work approved community events. Applicants must show the event name and location, and it is illegal to operate until the license is issued.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- Maine CDC Health Inspection Program (Department of Health and Human Services)
- When
- Food stands at fairs, festivals, farm markets and other community events
- Fee
- Eating Place - Temporary 1 - 4 Days $130.00; 5 -14 Days $205.00; Mobile Stick Built $270.00
- Timing
- There is a 30 day review period after receipt of a completed application.
Farmers markets and produce.
Selling fresh produce without a food processing license
The department says sellers of fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs and flowers in essentially the condition harvested usually do not need a food processing license, and washing, trimming and sorting do not count as processing. Dairy, eggs, honey and maple have their own licensing or labeling rules.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry
- When
- Farm stands and produce sellers offering whole produce in the condition it was harvested
Business registration.
General business licensing is handled by the town or city
Maine.gov states that general licenses to operate a business are managed at the town or city level, so vendors and organizers should ask the town office where they operate. Entities that incorporate or form an LLC register with the Secretary of State.
- Who
- Organizer and vendors
- From
- Maine.gov (State of Maine business portal)
- When
- Anyone starting a business in Maine
City and county permits in Maine.
Event permits, vendor licenses and food permits are mostly local. Pick your city or county:
Collect the paperwork with each application.
Ask vendors for their sales tax registration, cottage food registration or food permit and insurance certificate as required documents on your application form, and check them before you approve anyone.
Where the sources are unclear.
- No Maine statute page was found that exempts home-kitchen sellers from the Home Food License at farmers' markets; the Department of Agriculture's Home Food License guide describes the license as required for foods sold outside the home. Maine's Food Sovereignty Act (7 MRS ch. 8-F) lets towns adopt local food ordinances, so check the town.
- No official Maine page was found setting a state duty for event organizers about vendors' sales tax; ask Maine Revenue Services (Sales, Fuel and Special Tax Division) if an organizer wants confirmation.
- Maine DACF farm stand FAQ is written for farm stands; it was used for produce vendors at markets on the basis that it covers unprocessed produce sales generally.
Common questions.
Do I need a sales tax permit to sell at a craft fair in Maine?
Sales tax registration (Retailer Certificate) (Maine Revenue Services): Maine requires sellers who make regular sales of taxable goods to register for a sales tax account and collect sales tax. Registration is done through the Maine Tax Portal or on paper, and a retailer certificate is issued for each place of business.
Can I sell homemade food at a farmers market in Maine?
Home Food License (Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (Quality Assurance and Regulations)): A Home Food License covers non-refrigerated foods made at home and sold outside the home; an initial kitchen inspection is required and annual inspections are not. Products sold away from the home must carry a label with the product name, ingredients, net quantity and the producer's name and address. Jams, pickles and other canned goods need extra review before licensing.
Who issues temporary food permits for events in Maine?
Eating Place - Temporary license (and Mobile Stick Built) (Maine CDC Health Inspection Program (Department of Health and Human Services)): The state Health Inspection Program licenses temporary food stands, which operate at one event for no more than 14 consecutive days, and stick-built mobile units that work approved community events. Applicants must show the event name and location, and it is illegal to operate until the license is issued.
Do I need a state business license to be a vendor in Maine?
General business licensing is handled by the town or city (Maine.gov (State of Maine business portal)): Maine.gov states that general licenses to operate a business are managed at the town or city level, so vendors and organizers should ask the town office where they operate. Entities that incorporate or form an LLC register with the Secretary of State.
Sources.
This page summarizes official state sources and isn't legal or tax advice. Rules and fees change; confirm with each agency.
Every fact on this page comes from these official pages, checked on 2026-10-11. Details change; tell us at hello@bzar.app if something here is out of date.
- https://www.maine.gov/revenue/faq/sales-use-service-provider-tax
- https://www.maine.gov/revenue/sites/maine.gov.revenue/files/inline-files/BusinessGuide10162023_FINAL.pdf
- https://www.maine.gov/dacf/qar/permits_and_licenses/documents/home-license-101.pdf
- https://www.maine.gov/dacf/qar/permits_and_licenses/documents/maine-farm-stand-licensing-faq-june26.pdf
- https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/sites/maine.gov.dhhs.mecdc/files/EP%20Mobile%20and%20Temp.pdf
- https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/services/business-services/health-inspections
- https://www.maine.gov/portal/business/licensing.html
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