Selling at and running markets in Rhode Island.
Rhode Island show promoters file a notice with the Division of Taxation at least ten days before each show and may not let anyone sell without a sales permit; vendors without one get a Temporary Sales Permit from the promoter. The Department of Health registers cottage food makers and licenses temporary food stands.
Updated
Sales tax.
Sales permit, or Temporary Sales Permit at a show
Retail sellers need a sales tax permit from the Division of Taxation, which charges no fee. Vendors at a promoted show who lack one get a Temporary Sales Permit from the promoter, and flea market vendors register separately for a flea market vendor's permit.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- Rhode Island Division of Taxation
- When
- Anyone making retail sales in Rhode Island, including vendors at shows and flea markets
- Fee
- There shall be no fee for this permit. Flea market vendors pay an annual registration fee of $120; quarterly basis for a fee of $40 or on a thirty (30) day basis for $10.
Selling homemade food (cottage food).
At a glance: registration, a $65 state fee, sales up to $50,000 a year. Compare all 50 states.
Cottage Food Manufacture registration
Registration with the Department of Health covers baked goods that need no refrigeration, sold direct to consumers by pickup or delivery, with labeling and a food safety course before the first registration. Sales are capped at $50,000 per calendar year, and consignment, wholesale, grocery, restaurant and school sales are not allowed.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- Rhode Island Department of Health
- When
- Selling baked goods made in a home kitchen directly to consumers
- Fee
- Registration fee $65.00
Temporary food permits.
Temporary food establishment license
The state Department of Health licenses temporary food establishments, and the event sponsor must file its sponsor form 30 days before the event and tell vendors to apply in advance. The department's application groups sponsored tent-and-table temporary events under its mobile food service license, and says that setup is not for farmers' markets, which need a mobile unit.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- Rhode Island Department of Health (Center for Food Protection)
- When
- Food vendors at a sponsored special event, for up to 14 consecutive days
- Fee
- Mobile Food Service $100.00 (initial fee prorated by application date; no fee for non-profit)
- Timing
- An applicant shall submit an application for a permit at least thirty (30) days in advance.
Farmers markets and produce.
Farm home food manufacture registration
State law lets the Department of Health register farm kitchens to produce food for sale at farmers' markets, farmstands and farmer-run markets. The farm must meet the Division of Taxation's exemption and a minimum gross sales level for agricultural products.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- Rhode Island Department of Health
- When
- Farm owners selling homemade food at farmers' markets, farmstands and other farmer-operated markets
- Fee
- Registration fee for Farm Home Food Manufacture is $65.00 annually
What the state asks of market organizers.
A promoter must file a notice with the Division of Taxation at least ten days before each show and may not operate without the permit, which is issued without charge. The promoter may not let anyone sell taxable goods, services or food and drink without a valid retail sales permit, must collect sales tax from out-of-state vendors, and must file a monthly report within twenty days after the end of the prior month. Official page
City and county permits in Rhode Island.
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.
- Blocked: health.ri.gov web pages and tax.ri.gov web pages return 403 (Cloudflare). Facts were taken from RI General Laws, the Department of State rules site and PDFs hosted on health.ri.gov and tax.ri.gov that were readable.
- The Department of Health's web pages reportedly describe a retail food peddler license for farmers' markets; that page could not be read, so it is not included. Ask the Department of Health Center for Food Protection (401-222-2749).
- The temporary-food $100 fee is the Mobile Food Service license fee listed on the department's mobile food application, which includes the 'Sponsored Temporary Event (Tent/Table Set Up Only)' category; confirm the exact event fee with the department.
- The cottage food statute permits direct-to-consumer sales by pickup or delivery; it does not name farmers' markets, and consignment is prohibited.
Common questions.
Do I need a sales tax permit to sell at a craft fair in Rhode Island?
Sales permit, or Temporary Sales Permit at a show (Rhode Island Division of Taxation): Retail sellers need a sales tax permit from the Division of Taxation, which charges no fee. Vendors at a promoted show who lack one get a Temporary Sales Permit from the promoter, and flea market vendors register separately for a flea market vendor's permit.
Can I sell homemade food at a farmers market in Rhode Island?
Cottage Food Manufacture registration (Rhode Island Department of Health): Registration with the Department of Health covers baked goods that need no refrigeration, sold direct to consumers by pickup or delivery, with labeling and a food safety course before the first registration. Sales are capped at $50,000 per calendar year, and consignment, wholesale, grocery, restaurant and school sales are not allowed.
Who issues temporary food permits for events in Rhode Island?
Temporary food establishment license (Rhode Island Department of Health (Center for Food Protection)): The state Department of Health licenses temporary food establishments, and the event sponsor must file its sponsor form 30 days before the event and tell vendors to apply in advance. The department's application groups sponsored tent-and-table temporary events under its mobile food service license, and says that setup is not for farmers' markets, which need a mobile unit.
What does Rhode Island require of market and event organizers?
A promoter must file a notice with the Division of Taxation at least ten days before each show and may not operate without the permit, which is issued without charge. The promoter may not let anyone sell taxable goods, services or food and drink without a valid retail sales permit, must collect sales tax from out-of-state vendors, and must file a monthly report within twenty days after the end of the prior month.
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://webserver.rilegislature.gov/Statutes/TITLE44/44-19/44-19-1.htm
- https://rules.sos.ri.gov/regulations/Part/280-20-70-17
- https://tax.ri.gov/sites/g/files/xkgbur541/files/2026-08/show%20promoter%20checklist%208-25-26.pdf
- https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/Statutes/TITLE21/21-27/21-27-6.2.htm
- https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/Statutes/TITLE23/23-1/23-1-54.htm
- https://health.ri.gov/sites/g/files/xkgbur1006/files/2025-08/RI_Food_Code.pdf
- https://health.ri.gov/sites/g/files/xkgbur1006/files/applications/FoodMobileService.pdf
- https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/Statutes/TITLE21/21-27/21-27-6.1.htm
- https://health.ri.gov/sites/g/files/xkgbur1006/files/applications/FoodFarmHomeManufacturer.pdf
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