# Vendor event permits in Washington County, MD

In Washington County, MD, an event in a county park needs a Special Event Permit from Parks and Recreation, applied for three to six months ahead with insurance naming the county. Food vendors need a $25 temporary food license from the Washington County Health Department, and vendors without a permanent account get a Comptroller temporary sales tax license.

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

## For the organizer: Event permit

### Special Event Permit (county parks)
The organizer submits the special event application with a site plan showing toilets, dumpsters, overflow parking and vendor spaces, and an Event Review Committee decides. The organizer must provide a certificate of insurance naming the Board of County Commissioners as additional insured, and vendors must hold and display their required permits on site. Tents over 12 by 12 feet and inflatables need permits.
- Who: organizer
- From: Washington County Parks and Recreation
- When: Events in county parks that are advertised publicly, affect routine park use or traffic, or use amplified sound. Vendor sales and fundraising in county parks also need prior approval and a permit.
- Fee: $50 application fee, credited toward event fees that depend on the size of the event
- Timing: Submit at least three months but no more than six months before the event; all fees paid at least 30 days before
- Official page: https://www.washco-md.net/wp-content/uploads/Event-Policy-and-Application-Form.pdf

## For the organizer: Fire safety, tents and cooking

### Fire Marshal contact for grills and fryers
The temporary food application says the applicant must contact the Fire Marshal first: the City Fire Marshal at 301-790-2476 inside Hagerstown, or the State Fire Marshal at 301-766-3888 outside city limits. In county parks, deep fryers and turkey fryers are prohibited and fires are allowed only in designated grills.
- Who: vendors
- From: Washington County Health Department application, referring to the City of Hagerstown Fire Marshal and the State Fire Marshal
- When: Food booths that operate a grill or fryer producing grease-laden vapors
- Official page: https://washcohealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Application-for-Permit-to-Operate-a-Special-Temporary-Food-Service-Facility-Food-Stand.pdf

## For vendors: Vendor and business licenses

### Trader's License (or Exhibitor's Affidavit at a show)
Maryland trader's licenses are issued by the county Circuit Court Clerk (Washington County clerk: 301-733-8660; 301-790-7991 ext. 1 for license questions) for a May 1 to April 30 license year. The Comptroller says a promoter must collect each exhibitor's trader's license copy or Exhibitor's Affidavit before the show.
- Who: vendors
- From: Clerk of the Circuit Court for Washington County, for the Comptroller of Maryland
- When: Anyone selling goods in Maryland who is not a grower or manufacturer. At a show, an exhibitor does not need their own trader's license if the show is promoted by an exempt entity the Comptroller lists, or if they give the promoter an Exhibitor's Affidavit (under 10 percent of annual income from like goods, and no more than three shows in the previous 365 days). The Washington clerk also issues Foot Peddler and Motor Vehicle Peddler licenses; the clerk's page does not say whether market vendors need one.
- Official page: https://www.marylandcomptroller.gov/businesses/new-business/business-licenses.html

## For vendors: Sales tax

### Temporary Sales and Use Tax License (30 days)
A vendor contacts the Comptroller's temporary license desk with the event date, name and location plus business details, then collects Maryland sales and use tax on event sales. Vendors at three or more events a year should register for a permanent license through Maryland Tax Connect.
- Who: vendors
- From: Comptroller of Maryland
- When: Vendors without a permanent Maryland sales and use tax license who sell at one-time events such as craft shows and fairs. Maryland has one statewide rate and no local sales taxes.
- Official page: https://services.marylandcomptroller.gov/taxes?id=kb_article_view&sysparm_article=KB0010107

### Flea market sales are taxable (Business Tax Tip #14)
The Comptroller says flea market sales are taxable like any other sale and a vendor must first get a license, either a 30-day permit or a permanent license through the Combined Registration Application. The 6 percent rate is a single statewide rate with no local sales taxes, and vendors must display their license where sales are made.
- Who: vendors
- From: Comptroller of Maryland
- When: Vendors at flea markets and similar markets, including nonprofits and private individuals (casual and isolated sales under $1,000 of a seller's own household goods are exempt, but not sales by full or part-time dealers)
- Official page: https://www.marylandcomptroller.gov/content/dam/mdcomp/tax/legal-publications/tips/business/bustip14.pdf

## For vendors: Food vendors

### Special Temporary Food Service Facility license
The vendor files the application at the Environmental Health office or by the delivery method chosen on the form. Nonprofits must show 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status. Potentially hazardous foods must be prepared at a licensed facility, and only non-potentially hazardous baked goods or foods meeting the cottage food rules may be made at home.
- Who: vendors
- From: Washington County Health Department, Environmental Health
- When: Anyone preparing, selling, sampling or giving away food at a public event of up to 14 consecutive days; sealed commercially pre-packaged, non-perishable items such as sodas and wrapped candy do not need one
- Fee: $25.00
- Timing: At least 7 days before the event
- Official page: https://washcohealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Temporary-Event-Food-Vendor-Requirements-.pdf

## What the rules ask of organizers about vendors

A show promoter may not let an exhibitor take part unless the exhibitor has given a photocopy of a valid Trader's License or an Exhibitor's Affidavit before the show. Exhibitors must display it, and the promoter must forward all Exhibitor Affidavits to the Comptroller's State License Bureau within seven days after the show. Non-compliance is a misdemeanor with a fine up to $100 or up to 30 days in jail. (https://www.marylandcomptroller.gov/businesses/new-business/business-licenses.html)

## Where the sources are unclear

- No official page found for a county permit for a vendor market on private property as of 2026-10-11; ask Washington County Permits and Inspections (240-313-2460) and Planning and Zoning. The county's Fire Marshal's office says it works with special event coordinators on fire code requirements for temporary events (news release of February 20, 2026).
- The City of Hagerstown and the county's other incorporated towns have their own event rules; Hagerstown is covered on its own page.
- The Health Department's requirements sheet is dated 2025 and the application 2026; both state $25.00.
- The Comptroller's temporary-license page (services.marylandcomptroller.gov) loads its content by script, so the 30-day license details (email Templicense@marylandtaxes.gov, 410-767-1543 or 410-767-5462) were taken from the state hub's earlier read; Business Tax Tip #14 gives the Special Events Section number as 410-767-1540, so confirm the phone number before relying on it.

## Questions

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

Special Event Permit (county parks) (Washington County Parks and Recreation): The organizer submits the special event application with a site plan showing toilets, dumpsters, overflow parking and vendor spaces, and an Event Review Committee decides. The organizer must provide a certificate of insurance naming the Board of County Commissioners as additional insured, and vendors must hold and display their required permits on site. Tents over 12 by 12 feet and inflatables need permits.

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

Trader's License (or Exhibitor's Affidavit at a show) (Clerk of the Circuit Court for Washington County, for the Comptroller of Maryland): Maryland trader's licenses are issued by the county Circuit Court Clerk (Washington County clerk: 301-733-8660; 301-790-7991 ext. 1 for license questions) for a May 1 to April 30 license year. The Comptroller says a promoter must collect each exhibitor's trader's license copy or Exhibitor's Affidavit before the show.

**Who handles sales tax at a market in Washington County?**

Temporary Sales and Use Tax License (30 days) (Comptroller of Maryland): A vendor contacts the Comptroller's temporary license desk with the event date, name and location plus business details, then collects Maryland sales and use tax on event sales. Vendors at three or more events a year should register for a permanent license through Maryland Tax Connect. Flea market sales are taxable (Business Tax Tip #14) (Comptroller of Maryland): The Comptroller says flea market sales are taxable like any other sale and a vendor must first get a license, either a 30-day permit or a permanent license through the Combined Registration Application. The 6 percent rate is a single statewide rate with no local sales taxes, and vendors must display their license where sales are made. For organizers: A show promoter may not let an exhibitor take part unless the exhibitor has given a photocopy of a valid Trader's License or an Exhibitor's Affidavit before the show. Exhibitors must display it, and the promoter must forward all Exhibitor Affidavits to the Comptroller's State License Bureau within seven days after the show. Non-compliance is a misdemeanor with a fine up to $100 or up to 30 days in jail.

**Do food vendors need a separate permit in Washington County?**

Special Temporary Food Service Facility license (Washington County Health Department, Environmental Health): The vendor files the application at the Environmental Health office or by the delivery method chosen on the form. Nonprofits must show 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status. Potentially hazardous foods must be prepared at a licensed facility, and only non-potentially hazardous baked goods or foods meeting the cottage food rules may be made at home.

**How far ahead should I apply in Washington County?**

Special Event Permit (county parks): Submit at least three months but no more than six months before the event; all fees paid at least 30 days before Special Temporary Food Service Facility license: At least 7 days before the event

## Sources

- https://www.washco-md.net/wp-content/uploads/Event-Policy-and-Application-Form.pdf
- https://washco-md.net/news/washington-county-parks-recreation-announces-new-special-event-policy-and-updated-park-rules
- https://washcohealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Application-for-Permit-to-Operate-a-Special-Temporary-Food-Service-Facility-Food-Stand.pdf
- https://www.marylandcomptroller.gov/businesses/new-business/business-licenses.html
- https://www.mdcourts.gov/clerks/washington/business
- https://services.marylandcomptroller.gov/taxes?id=kb_article_view&sysparm_article=KB0010107
- https://www.marylandcomptroller.gov/content/dam/mdcomp/tax/legal-publications/tips/business/bustip14.pdf
- https://washcohealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Temporary-Event-Food-Vendor-Requirements-.pdf

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