Selling at and running markets in Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania vendors who make taxable sales need a sales tax license from the Department of Revenue (out-of-state sellers use a Transient Vendor Certificate), and show promoters need a Promoter License. Home-made shelf-stable food needs a Limited Food Establishment registration, and event food licenses come from the Department of Agriculture or, in seven counties, the county health department.
Updated
Sales tax.
Sales tax license or Transient Vendor Certificate
Register through the Pennsylvania Online Business Tax Registration (myPATH). Transient vendors must notify the Department in writing of dates and locations before entering Pennsylvania.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- Pennsylvania Department of Revenue
- When
- Vendors selling taxable goods or services at events. A Transient Vendor Certificate is for out-of-state sole proprietors or partnerships with no permanent Pennsylvania location selling in the state.
- Timing
- Transient vendors: 30 days before entering Pennsylvania to do business
Promoter License
Promoters register through myPATH and renew annually. They have no filing obligation with the Department.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- Pennsylvania Department of Revenue
- When
- Anyone who rents, leases or grants permission to use space at a show for displaying or selling taxable goods or services
- Timing
- Register at least 30 days before the first show opens
Selling homemade food (cottage food).
At a glance: registration, a $35 state fee. Compare all 50 states.
Limited Food Establishment registration
The Department says you must register to operate a Limited Food Establishment, and registration includes routine inspection of the production site. A Retail Food Facility License may also be required to sell at an event or farmers market.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Food Safety and Laboratory Services
- When
- Home-based or noncommercial kitchens making shelf-stable, non-hazardous foods such as baked goods without cream fillings, jams, jellies, candies and certain snack mixes
- Fee
- Initial registration fee – $35; Annual renewal fee – $35
Temporary food permits.
Temporary Event License (retail food)
The Department of Agriculture issues temporary event licenses outside the seven counties that run their own health departments; inside them, contact the county health department. A temporary event license is specific to an event, and the law does not limit how many a proprietor can apply for in a year.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Food Safety and Laboratory Services; county health departments in Allegheny, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Erie, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties
- When
- A retail food facility operating for no more than 14 days, whether consecutive or not, at a fixed location for an event or celebration such as a fair, carnival or festival
- Timing
- All material must be submitted at least 60 days prior to the preparation/sale of food from a retail food facility.
Farmers markets and produce.
Retail Food License for farmers market stands
A vendor selling only raw, unprocessed fruits and vegetables is exempt from licensing. Vendors selling pre-packaged shelf-stable items such as baked goods, jams and candy are exempt from the license fee but still have to apply and be inspected. Food made at home must come from a registered Limited Food Establishment.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Food Safety and Laboratory Services (or the county health department in Allegheny, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Erie, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties)
- When
- Selling food at a farmers market; each stand needs its own license, even at the same market
- Timing
- All material must be submitted at least 60 days prior to the preparation/sale of food from a retail food facility.
Business registration.
Register the business structure and fictitious name; local licenses
Pennsylvania's business portal says businesses register their structure (LLC, corporation and so on) with the Department of State, though a sole proprietor using their own legal name does not. A fictitious name is registered only if the business uses a different name. It also tells new businesses to check with their local municipality about taxes, zoning, and local licenses and permits.
- Who
- Organizer and vendors
- From
- Pennsylvania Department of State; PA Business One-Stop Shop; Department of Revenue
- When
- Any new vendor or organizer business
Other state rules.
Temporary structures at fairs, flea markets and craft festivals (Uniform Construction Code)
The Department says such structures do not have to comply with the Uniform Construction Code if they are under 1,600 square feet, are erected for less than 30 days and are not a pool, spa or hot tub. Municipalities may still regulate them locally, limited to flame propagation, electrical and fire extinguisher requirements.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry, Bureau of Occupational and Industrial Safety
- When
- Tents and other temporary structures for a fair, flea market, arts and craft festival or other public celebration
What the state asks of market organizers.
Pennsylvania requires anyone who rents, leases or grants permission to use space at a show for taxable sales to hold a Promoter License, registered at least 30 days before the first show and renewed annually. The Department says a promoter has no filing obligation. Official page
City and county permits in Pennsylvania.
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.
- Philadelphia and Allegheny County add local sales tax on top of the 6 percent state rate (Department of Revenue sales tax page).
- The Farmers Market Guide to Licensing and Sales Tax PDF the Department once linked now returns 404; not cited.
Common questions.
Do I need a sales tax permit to sell at a craft fair in Pennsylvania?
Sales tax license or Transient Vendor Certificate (Pennsylvania Department of Revenue): Register through the Pennsylvania Online Business Tax Registration (myPATH). Transient vendors must notify the Department in writing of dates and locations before entering Pennsylvania. Promoter License (Pennsylvania Department of Revenue): Promoters register through myPATH and renew annually. They have no filing obligation with the Department.
Can I sell homemade food at a farmers market in Pennsylvania?
Limited Food Establishment registration (Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Food Safety and Laboratory Services): The Department says you must register to operate a Limited Food Establishment, and registration includes routine inspection of the production site. A Retail Food Facility License may also be required to sell at an event or farmers market.
Who issues temporary food permits for events in Pennsylvania?
Temporary Event License (retail food) (Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Food Safety and Laboratory Services; county health departments in Allegheny, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Erie, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties): The Department of Agriculture issues temporary event licenses outside the seven counties that run their own health departments; inside them, contact the county health department. A temporary event license is specific to an event, and the law does not limit how many a proprietor can apply for in a year.
What does Pennsylvania require of market and event organizers?
Pennsylvania requires anyone who rents, leases or grants permission to use space at a show for taxable sales to hold a Promoter License, registered at least 30 days before the first show and renewed annually. The Department says a promoter has no filing obligation.
Do I need a state business license to be a vendor in Pennsylvania?
Register the business structure and fictitious name; local licenses (Pennsylvania Department of State; PA Business One-Stop Shop; Department of Revenue): Pennsylvania's business portal says businesses register their structure (LLC, corporation and so on) with the Department of State, though a sole proprietor using their own legal name does not. A fictitious name is registered only if the business uses a different name. It also tells new businesses to check with their local municipality about taxes, zoning, and local licenses and permits.
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.pa.gov/agencies/revenue/resources/tax-types-and-information/sales-use-and-hotel-occupancy-tax
- https://www.pa.gov/agencies/pda/food/food-safety/limited-food-establishment-
- https://www.pa.gov/agencies/pda/food/food-safety/retail-food/fairs-and-other-temporary-events
- https://pa.gov/agencies/pda/food-safety/retail-food/farmers-markets.html
- https://www.pa.gov/content/dam/copapwp-pagov/en/pda/documents/consumer_protection/foodsafety/retail-food/retail-food/documents/farmers%20market%20guidelines.pdf
- https://business.pa.gov/register/registering-with-pennsylvania/basic-business-registration-overview/
- https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dli/programs-services/labor-management-relations/bureau-of-occupational-and-industrial-safety/uniform-construction-code-home/advisories
- https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dli/resources/compliance-laws-and-regulations/labor-management-relations/bois/ucc-regulations-and-statutes
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