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 Bowie, MD.
In Bowie, an organizer needs a City special event permit for events in city parks, at city facilities or on city streets ($100 application fee, insurance naming the City, 750-person cap in parks). Vendors selling in city parks need a City concession permit and a Prince George's County Health permit, plus Maryland sales tax registration.
Not shown, based on your answers: parks and public space, food vendors. See everything for Bowie.
Event permit.
Special Event Permit
Submit the Event Permit application, a written detailed event description and insurance documentation listing the City as additional insured, and rent enough park space for the expected crowd. The application asks about food, food trucks, alcohol (which needs both a City and a County permit), tents and equipment, and police support, which carries a fee.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- City of Bowie Community Services Department (reviewed by Police, Emergency Manager, Communications and Recreation and Parks)
- When
- Any event in City parks, at City facilities or on City streets. In City parks the city does not permit events above 750 attendees, wedding ceremonies, or more than one event per day per park. The city's pages do not say whether private-property events need a city permit.
- Fee
- $100 application fee per Special Event application
Other rules.
Block Party Permit
The city lists a separate Block Party permit and a Block Party Street Closure Request form; an ordinary special event permit does not replace it.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- City of Bowie
- When
- Block parties in neighborhoods.
Vendor and business licenses.
Park concession permit (Park Concession Stand or Mobile Concession)
Applicants must first show a valid Prince George's County Health Department permit, and mobile concession operators also need a City Peddler's/Solicitor's permit. Apply at the City Hall window labeled Park Permits. A single-day Park Concession Stand permit is for groups selling from a temporary stand.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- City of Bowie Community Services / City Hall Park Permits window
- When
- Selling any food or other items in a City of Bowie park, except at City-sponsored or City-authorized special events.
- Fee
- Park Concession Stand (daily): resident $100 permit fee plus $100 security deposit; non-resident $200 permit fee plus $200 security deposit
Peddler's and Solicitor's License
The application needs character references, photos and the date and number of the Prince George's County license, and the license limits selling to 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. The city says most businesses should check with the Prince George's County Clerk of the Circuit Court for a county or state business license.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- City of Bowie Code Compliance Office
- When
- People who hawk, peddle or vend wares on the streets of Bowie or go door to door. Volunteer fire companies and civic, religious, charitable and similar organizations approved by the City Manager are exempt. Bowie does not otherwise license businesses.
- Fee
- $25.00 for each license, valid one year
Trader's License (or Exhibitor's Affidavit)
The Comptroller says a trader's license from the Clerk of the Circuit Court and a sales tax account are required to sell goods in Maryland, and the license year runs May 1 to April 30. An exhibitor must show the promoter a photocopy of the license or affidavit before the show and display it during the show. Fees are not listed on this page.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- Prince George's 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.
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.
- 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's tax tip says flea market sales are taxable like any other sale, a seller must get a license before collecting, and the license must be displayed where sales are made. A 30-day permit is available by phone from the Special Events Section; 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 private individuals (casual and isolated sales under $1,000 of a seller's own household goods are exempt; dealers and resale goods are not).
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.
- 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: Special Events Manager, 301-809-3078 (Community Services Department, 15901 Fred Robinson Way); City Hall 301-262-6200. Full page and sources for Bowie.
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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