Which permits does your market need?
Pick your city or county, tell us whether you'll have food, use public space, or set up tents and cooking, and get the permits that apply to you and your vendors, with fees, deadlines and official links. Covers 225 US cities and counties.
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Permits for your market in Anne Arundel County, MD.
In Anne Arundel County, MD, a Special Events Permit from the Licensing Division is needed for events of 500 or more people that use public streets or property, block traffic, or need extra county services, applied for 90 days ahead. Food vendors need a Health Department temporary license, and vendors need Maryland trader's and sales tax licenses.
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Event permit.
Special Events Permit
Apply, pay and track through the Land Use Navigator system. The application is not itself a permit, incomplete applications expire after 30 days, and the county reviews and acknowledges applications within 30 business days. Public safety charges are billed separately and fee waivers can be requested. The county notes other permits may be needed for temporary tents and trade work, and a separate City permit applies inside Annapolis.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- Anne Arundel County Licensing Division, Department of Inspections and Permits
- When
- An activity, concert, parade or public assembly of 500 people or more that exclusively uses public streets or property, blocks vehicle or pedestrian traffic, or needs county services beyond normal operations. A private event not open to the public that meets none of those tests needs no permit; events inside theaters, halls, restaurants and similar venues at allowed occupancy, and events at county parks (Recreation and Parks, 410-222-7317), are outside it.
- Fee
- $100 expedited fee if filed less than 90 days before the event
- Timing
- Submit no later than 90 days and no earlier than one year before the start date
Other rules.
Public safety service charges
The county's special events resource requirements list hourly rates for fire and police staffing and scale medical and police staffing with expected crowd size.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- Anne Arundel County Fire Department and Police Department
- When
- Events that use county fire, EMS or police resources; medical and police staffing scale with expected crowd size.
- Fee
- Fire Department $90 to $400 per hour depending on service; Police Department $75 to $125 per hour with a three-hour minimum
Vendor and business licenses.
Trader's License (or Exhibitor's Affidavit)
The Comptroller's license bureau says a trader's license from the Clerk of the Circuit Court is required, along with a sales tax account, and the license year runs May 1 to April 30. A copy of the license or affidavit must be shown to the promoter before the show and displayed during it. Fees are not listed on this page.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- Anne Arundel County, Clerk of the Circuit Court (statewide rules enforced by the Comptroller's License Bureau)
- When
- Anyone selling goods in Maryland other than a grower or manufacturer. Exhibitors at a show do not need their own trader's license when the show is promoted by an exempt entity the Comptroller lists (for example a church, government agency or volunteer fire department), or when they give the promoter an Exhibitor's Affidavit saying they get under 10 percent of annual income from like goods at the show. Either way they must not have done more than three shows in the previous 365 days.
Transient Vendor License (roadside or temporary sales)
Free, valid for 90 days, and issued only to holders of a Maryland sales and use tax license. It must be displayed when selling, and a local trader's license from the Clerk of the Circuit Court may also be needed.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- Comptroller of Maryland
- When
- Sellers at a roadside or other temporary location. The Comptroller says this does not apply to exhibitors at fairs, trade shows and flea markets.
- Fee
- Free; valid for 90 days
Sales tax.
Temporary Sales and Use Tax License (30 days)
A vendor emails the event date, name and location plus business details to the Comptroller's temporary license desk (or calls 410-767-1543 or 410-767-5462) and collects the 6 percent or 9 percent Maryland sales and use tax, as the Comptroller states. 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.
- Timing
- Temporary license is valid for 30 days
Flea market and show sales are taxable
The Comptroller says sales at flea markets are subject to the 6 percent sales and use tax like other retail sales, and a seller must hold a license before collecting it. A 30-day permit is available by phone from the Special Events Section at 410-767-1543 or 410-767-1531; frequent sellers should get a permanent license through the Combined Registration Application.
- 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 and a few other sales are exempt).
What the rules ask of you 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. Official page
When to apply.
- Special Events Permit: Submit no later than 90 days and no earlier than one year before the start date
- Temporary Sales and Use Tax License (30 days): Temporary license is valid for 30 days
Collect your vendors' permits with their applications.
Make the vendor licenses, sales tax registration and food permits above required documents on your application, and check them before you approve anyone.
Check with the office.
This checklist summarizes official government pages read on 2026-10-10. It isn't legal advice; rules, fees and deadlines change. Special events contact: specialevents@aacounty.org; Licensing Division (410) 222-7788. Full page and sources for Anne Arundel County.
Common questions.
What permits do I need to host a vendor market?
Usually an event permit from the city or county, licenses and sales tax registration for vendors, and temporary food permits for anyone selling food. Parks, streets, tents and cooking can add more. Pick your city above to see the exact list.
Do I need a permit for a pop-up market on private property?
It depends on the city. Some only require permits on public property; others, like zoning temporary-use permits, apply anywhere. The checklist shows what each city's official pages say.
How far ahead should I apply for an event permit?
Often 30 to 90 days. The median deadline across 111 places in our study is 45 days, and 43 want 60 or more.
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