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 Baltimore, MD.
To run a vendor market in Baltimore, apply to the Department of Transportation's Special Events team at least six weeks ahead for public events, or to Housing and Community Development for a temporary event permit on private property. Food vendors need a Baltimore City Health Department temporary food license, and all vendors need Maryland sales tax and trader's licenses.
Not shown, based on your answers: parks and public space, fire safety, tents and cooking, food vendors. See everything for Baltimore.
Event permit.
Special Event permit
Submit the online application through the City's OpenGov permitting portal. A permit technician follows up on fees, and city services (police, fire marshal, EMS, waste removal) are billed separately. Application fees are non-refundable and a 50 percent discount may apply with a registered 501(c)(3) partner.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- Baltimore City Department of Transportation (BCDOT), Special Events team
- When
- Public events in a City park, parades, foot races, festivals, block parties over 200 participants and all Inner Harbor events. Events on private property go through the Department of Housing and Community Development instead.
- Fee
- Application fee $80 more than 10 weeks before, $125 at 10 to 8 weeks, $250 at 8 to 6 weeks
- Timing
- Submit a complete application at least 6 weeks before the event
Temporary Special Event Permit (private property)
Apply online through the DHCD ePermits site with a checklist; the application is reviewed by Fire, Police, Public Works, Transportation and the Liquor Board, and may be referred to the Health Department when food is served. DHCD's One Stop Shop Permit Center is at 443-984-1809.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- Baltimore City Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD)
- When
- Bazaars, fairs, dances, displays, exhibitions, rummage sales and similar events held on private property. Events on City-owned property apply to the Special Events Office instead.
Other rules.
Temporary noise exemption
Apply on BCHD Form 9-303. Granting an exemption is at the Health Commissioner's discretion. Events that sell or serve alcohol must also submit a security plan with the Special Events application.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- Baltimore City Health Department (Commissioner of Health)
- When
- Events with amplified sound or music that may exceed permissible sound levels.
- Fee
- No fee for the exemption
Vendor and business licenses.
Street and Mobile Vending License
Applicants must be 18 or older, complete a notarized application, and pay the annual license fee by vendor type plus an application fee.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- Baltimore City Department of Transportation
- When
- Selling food, merchandise or services from vehicles, carts or similar on City rights-of-way. The page does not say whether it applies to vendors inside a permitted event or on private property.
- Fee
- Food vendors $375 downtown, $75 outside downtown; merchant vendors $75; non-refundable application fee $25
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
- Circuit Court for Baltimore City, 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 Event permit: Submit a complete application at least 6 weeks before the event
- 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: Baltimore City Department of Transportation Special Events team: 410-396-1916. Full page and sources for Baltimore.
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.