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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Tell us about your event.
Permits for your market in Arlington County, VA.
In Arlington County, VA, a public event needs a Special Event application to the County's Special Events office at least 90 days ahead, plus fire, inspection and park approvals as needed. Food vendors need Arlington Public Health temporary food licensing, the sponsor holds a county business license, and vendors report Virginia sales tax. Confirm with each office.
Not shown, based on your answers: parks and public space, fire safety, tents and cooking, food vendors. See everything for Arlington County.
Event permit.
Special Event application
The Special Events Committee reviews applications, and an approved application does not by itself approve facility reservations, staff support or the other requirements on the county checklist. Neighbors should be notified, and weak outreach can delay or sink an application.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- Arlington County Special Events Office
- When
- Events open to the public that are broadly promoted, affect nearby infrastructure, have live entertainment or alcohol sales, or are likely to draw a crowd; the Special Events page says private events not open to the public do not need an application
- Fee
- No fee for the Arlington County Special Event application
- Timing
- At least 90 days before the event date; applications with less notice risk denial
Other rules.
Recycling plan, noise rules and certificate of insurance
The checklist requires a detailed trash and recycling plan for all events, says amplified sound must follow the county noise ordinance, and lists a certificate of insurance and any ABC license as items to submit. It does not state a minimum insurance amount.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- Arlington County (Solid Waste Bureau, Inspection Services and Special Events Office)
- When
- Events approved through the Special Events process
Vendor and business licenses.
County business license for the event sponsor and food vendors
The checklist says the sponsor needs a business license under Arlington County Code section 11-38.1. Food vendors must have a business license and collect the county's 5% meals tax on prepared food, and vendors without an active county meals tax account file a meals tax return for the event.
- Who
- Organizer and vendors
- From
- Arlington County Commissioner of the Revenue, Business License Division
- When
- Special event sponsors for events at public places; food vendors selling prepared food at special events
- Fee
- $30 flat fee per year for the event sponsor
Sales tax.
Temporary Sales Tax Certificate/Return (Form ST-50)
Occasional sellers report and pay the sales tax they collected at an event on Form ST-50, due by the 20th of the month after the event. The form tells sellers who attend 3 or more shows a year to register for a permanent Virginia sales tax account. The rate is 6% in the Northern Virginia localities it lists, and the extra regional 0.7% is not charged on food bought for human consumption.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- Virginia Department of Taxation
- When
- Vendors without a permanent Virginia sales tax account who sell taxable goods at an event
What the rules ask of you about vendors.
For events with food vendors, the event sponsor must give the Commissioner of the Revenue each food vendor's name, mailing address, phone number and email address. The sponsor also needs a county business license, and participating vendors are expected to file the Virginia Temporary Sales Tax Certificate/Return. Official page
When to apply.
- Special Event application: At least 90 days before the event date; applications with less notice risk denial
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@arlingtonva.us, 571-220-1281. Full page and sources for Arlington 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.
Permits sorted? Run the event on bzar.
Free for organizers: vendor applications with required documents, booth payments, tickets and check-in.