Selling at and running markets in Vermont.
Vermont vendors need a free business tax account and license from the Department of Taxes before any taxable sale, even at one event, and organizers of events with 25 or more vendors must send the Department a vendor list. Homemade food and temporary food stands are licensed or exempted by the Department of Health.
Updated
Sales tax.
Business tax account and license
Vendors must have a Vermont business tax account and license before making taxable sales, and should register at least one day before the event. Vermont charges a 6% sales tax on most goods and a 9% Meals and Rooms Tax on prepared food, including sales by vendors at farmers' markets and street fairs.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- Vermont Department of Taxes
- When
- Any vendor making taxable sales at a farmers' market, flea market, craft fair, show or exhibition, even once
- Fee
- Both are free.
- Timing
- Register for a tax account at least one day before the event.
Selling homemade food (cottage food).
At a glance: registration, sales up to $30,000 a year. Compare all 50 states.
Home Bakery License or cottage food licensing exemption
A Home Bakery License is needed for baked goods made in a home kitchen, but cottage food operators with $30,000.00 or less in annual gross sales of cottage food products may claim a licensing exemption. Exempt operators must take annual training, follow the labeling rule and file an exemption in the online portal each year before January 15.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- Vermont Department of Health (Food and Lodging Program)
- When
- Making baked goods and other shelf-stable foods in a home kitchen for sale
- Timing
- Submit the license application online at least 30 days before you plan to start operating.
Temporary food permits.
Temporary Food Service License
The state Department of Health issues temporary food service licenses, with a separate license needed for each food stand. A single-event license covers two or three consecutive days; a calendar year license covers regular operation or events of four days or more.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- Vermont Department of Health (Food and Lodging Program)
- When
- Food and beverage stands at festivals, fairs and farmers' markets that are set up and taken down each time
- Fee
- Calendar Year License (Four Days or More) $230.00; Single Event License (Three Days or Less) $125.00
- Timing
- Submit the application and fees at least 15 days before the first event.
Farmers markets and produce.
State rules for selling at farmers' markets
The agency regulates several products commonly sold at markets and the small scales vendors use to sell by weight, and it may audit markets for compliance. It publishes a guide to state regulations for market managers and vendors.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets
- When
- Farmers' market vendors selling meat, poultry, dairy, eggs, maple products, potatoes, apples, strawberries, or anything weighed on a scale
What the state asks of market organizers.
An event organizer must give the Department of Taxes a list of vendors at least one business day before an event where 25 or more vendors are expected, and send an updated list within seven days after the event if it changes. Fees charged to vendors for space are not taxable unless the fee is to rent items such as chairs or tables, and admission fees are subject to sales tax. Official page
City and county permits in Vermont.
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.
- The Department of Taxes sales and use tax page was not used for event-specific rules; the Department's event guidance page was. Registration is described there as free.
- No official Vermont page was found stating a general state business license requirement beyond the tax account; ask the Secretary of State's Corporations Division about registering an entity or trade name.
Common questions.
Do I need a sales tax permit to sell at a craft fair in Vermont?
Business tax account and license (Vermont Department of Taxes): Vendors must have a Vermont business tax account and license before making taxable sales, and should register at least one day before the event. Vermont charges a 6% sales tax on most goods and a 9% Meals and Rooms Tax on prepared food, including sales by vendors at farmers' markets and street fairs.
Can I sell homemade food at a farmers market in Vermont?
Home Bakery License or cottage food licensing exemption (Vermont Department of Health (Food and Lodging Program)): A Home Bakery License is needed for baked goods made in a home kitchen, but cottage food operators with $30,000.00 or less in annual gross sales of cottage food products may claim a licensing exemption. Exempt operators must take annual training, follow the labeling rule and file an exemption in the online portal each year before January 15.
Who issues temporary food permits for events in Vermont?
Temporary Food Service License (Vermont Department of Health (Food and Lodging Program)): The state Department of Health issues temporary food service licenses, with a separate license needed for each food stand. A single-event license covers two or three consecutive days; a calendar year license covers regular operation or events of four days or more.
What does Vermont require of market and event organizers?
An event organizer must give the Department of Taxes a list of vendors at least one business day before an event where 25 or more vendors are expected, and send an updated list within seven days after the event if it changes. Fees charged to vendors for space are not taxable unless the fee is to rent items such as chairs or tables, and admission fees are subject to sales tax.
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://tax.vermont.gov/business/industry/event-organizers-and-vendors
- https://tax.vermont.gov/business/sales-and-use-tax
- https://www.healthvermont.gov/environment/food-lodging-program/home-based-food-licenses-and-exemptions
- https://www.healthvermont.gov/environment/food-lodging-program/temporary-food-service-establishments
- https://agriculture.vermont.gov/businessdevelopment/farm-stands-csas-farmers-markets
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