# Vendor event permits in Tempe, AZ

In Tempe, AZ, an event organizer applies online to the Special Events Office for a special event permit at least 60 days ahead. Vendors need a Tempe General Business License plus an Arizona transaction privilege tax license, promoters keep a vendor list, and food vendors get temporary food permits from Maricopa County Environmental Services.

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

## For the organizer: Event permit

### Special Event Permit (online EventApp)
Organizers create an account and file the Special Event Application online, then wait for city review; submitting does not mean approval. The office publishes a permit handbook, fee sheet, sample site plans, a Fire EMS agreement, a police off-duty agreement and liquor forms.
- Who: organizer
- From: City of Tempe Special Events Office
- When: Festivals and special events held in the City of Tempe; Tempe's page does not give size thresholds, so ask the office whether a small market needs one
- Fee: $50 application permit fee, with a $100 late fee if submitted within 60 days of the event, per the city fee sheet (marked effective January 1, 2021); event space and road closure fees are extra
- Timing: Begin the online application at least 60 days before the event
- Official page: https://www.tempe.gov/government/community-services/special-events

## For vendors: Vendor and business licenses

### Tempe General Business License
Tempe requires a General Business License for any business holding a TPT license that does business in the city, which would include vendors licensed to sell at Tempe events. Apply online through the city's tax and licensing page.
- Who: vendors
- From: City of Tempe Tax & License (Financial Services)
- When: Businesses that hold a Transaction Privilege Tax license and conduct business in Tempe, among other groups (a business with a valid Tempe regulatory license does not need one)
- Official page: https://www.tempe.gov/government/financial-services/sales-tax-licensing

## For vendors: Sales tax

### Transaction Privilege Tax (TPT) license for special event vendors
Vendors are responsible for collecting and remitting TPT under the retail classification, applying for the license with the Arizona Joint Tax Application (JT-1). A promoter may hold a license and collect for vendors only when a central cash register is used; vendors selling independently must be licensed themselves.
- Who: vendors
- From: Arizona Department of Revenue
- When: Anyone selling tangible personal property at a craft show, swap meet or special event; display-only vendors and qualifying nonprofits do not need one
- Fee: The cost for each license per location is $12
- Official page: https://azdor.gov/transaction-privilege-tax/special-events-craft-shows-trade-shows/vendors

### Promoter TPT license and vendor list
Promoters may take out a TPT license to collect and remit tax for participating vendors if a central cash register system is used. A promoter that charges booth rent, admission or sells food and drink on site can also owe TPT in other business classifications.
- Who: organizer
- From: Arizona Department of Revenue
- When: Organizers of swap meets, flea markets, fairs, festivals and other transient selling events
- Official page: https://azdor.gov/transaction-privilege-tax/special-events-craft-shows-trade-shows/promoters-special-events

## For vendors: Food vendors

### Special Event Coordinator registration and temporary food establishment permits
The event coordinator registers the event online through the county Permit Center and submits a vendor list with each food vendor's permit number. Only vendors holding a temporary, mobile food or catering permit may serve food, and the county lists temporary permits as covering 1 to 14 days and seasonal permits 15 to 120 days.
- Who: organizer and vendors
- From: Maricopa County Environmental Services Department
- When: Any event in Tempe where food is sold or given away
- Timing: Submit the coordinator registration 30 days before the event starts
- Official page: https://www.maricopa.gov/6566/102769/Special-Event-Requirements

## What the rules ask of organizers about vendors

Under Arizona law (A.R.S. 42-1105 G), the operator of a swap meet, flea market, fair or similar event must keep a current list of the vendors selling there, with each vendor's name, business name and address; the Department of Revenue can require it. (https://azdor.gov/transaction-privilege-tax/special-events-craft-shows-trade-shows/promoters-special-events)

## Where the sources are unclear

- Maricopa County's special event page does not state temporary food fees; ask Maricopa County Environmental Services at 602-506-6824.
- No state-level temporary food permit page was found on azdhs.gov; the state food code is cited for the definition and the delegation to local health departments. Maricopa County's own special event rules are on the Phoenix and other city pages.
- Tempe's Special Event Fees PDF is marked effective January 1, 2021, so the fee may have changed; the permit brochure and handbook PDFs were not read. Confirm with the Special Events Office at 480-350-5180. Tempe Tax & License: salestax@tempe.gov, 480-350-2955.

## Questions

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

Special Event Permit (online EventApp) (City of Tempe Special Events Office): Organizers create an account and file the Special Event Application online, then wait for city review; submitting does not mean approval. The office publishes a permit handbook, fee sheet, sample site plans, a Fire EMS agreement, a police off-duty agreement and liquor forms.

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

Tempe General Business License (City of Tempe Tax & License (Financial Services)): Tempe requires a General Business License for any business holding a TPT license that does business in the city, which would include vendors licensed to sell at Tempe events. Apply online through the city's tax and licensing page.

**Who handles sales tax at a market in Tempe?**

Transaction Privilege Tax (TPT) license for special event vendors (Arizona Department of Revenue): Vendors are responsible for collecting and remitting TPT under the retail classification, applying for the license with the Arizona Joint Tax Application (JT-1). A promoter may hold a license and collect for vendors only when a central cash register is used; vendors selling independently must be licensed themselves. Promoter TPT license and vendor list (Arizona Department of Revenue): Promoters may take out a TPT license to collect and remit tax for participating vendors if a central cash register system is used. A promoter that charges booth rent, admission or sells food and drink on site can also owe TPT in other business classifications. For organizers: Under Arizona law (A.R.S. 42-1105 G), the operator of a swap meet, flea market, fair or similar event must keep a current list of the vendors selling there, with each vendor's name, business name and address; the Department of Revenue can require it.

**Do food vendors need a separate permit in Tempe?**

Special Event Coordinator registration and temporary food establishment permits (Maricopa County Environmental Services Department): The event coordinator registers the event online through the county Permit Center and submits a vendor list with each food vendor's permit number. Only vendors holding a temporary, mobile food or catering permit may serve food, and the county lists temporary permits as covering 1 to 14 days and seasonal permits 15 to 120 days.

**How far ahead should I apply in Tempe?**

Special Event Permit (online EventApp): Begin the online application at least 60 days before the event Special Event Coordinator registration and temporary food establishment permits: Submit the coordinator registration 30 days before the event starts

## Sources

- https://www.tempe.gov/government/community-services/special-events
- https://www.tempe.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/69104/639119411988330000
- https://www.tempe.gov/government/financial-services/sales-tax-licensing
- https://azdor.gov/transaction-privilege-tax/special-events-craft-shows-trade-shows/vendors
- https://azdor.gov/business/transaction-privilege-tax/tpt-license
- https://azdor.gov/transaction-privilege-tax/special-events-craft-shows-trade-shows/promoters-special-events
- https://www.maricopa.gov/6566/102769/Special-Event-Requirements

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