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 Buffalo, NY.
In Buffalo, organizers of events on public property apply for a Special Events Permit from the City's Special Events Office at least 90 days ahead. Vendors need a City Temporary Stand or Exhibitor license, food vendors need an Erie County temporary food permit, and sellers register for a New York Certificate of Authority.
Not shown, based on your answers: food vendors. See everything for Buffalo.
Event permit.
Special Events Permit
The organizer files a complete electronic application with a signed hold harmless agreement and a certificate of insurance naming the City as additional insured. The office sends a cost breakdown, and an advisory committee gives final approval once payment is received. Selling food also requires an Erie County temporary food permit.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- City of Buffalo Special Events Office
- When
- Events expected to draw large crowds, held on public property or on private property that affects public property, and needing City support or resources. Buffalo's page does not say whether a small event wholly on private property needs one.
- Timing
- Complete the application at least 90 days before the event
Vendor and business licenses.
Temporary Stand / Exhibitor license
The event organizer submits the Temporary Stand/Exhibitor form listing the event, dates and products sold, with a separate fee by category. Buffalo's license list also has separate mobile and stationary peddler licenses for sellers outside an organized event.
- Who
- Organizer and vendors
- From
- City of Buffalo Department of Permit and Inspection Services, Office of Licenses
- When
- Food stands and merchandise exhibitors at a temporary event in Buffalo. The form states it is turned in to the Office of Licenses by the event organizer.
- Fee
- $40.00 Temporary Stand (sale of food); $35.00 Exhibitor (sale of merchandise)
Sales tax.
Certificate of Authority (regular)
Show and entertainment vendors must get a regular Certificate of Authority; a temporary certificate is not available to them and the separate show-vendor certificate was discontinued. Apply online through New York Business Express.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- New York State Department of Taxation and Finance
- When
- Anyone making taxable sales in New York, including at craft shows, flea markets and other shows, even if sales are occasional
- Timing
- Register at least 20 days before you begin business
Show promoter permit (Form DTF-723) for four or more shows a year
Promoters in that group must register and display a Permit to Operate a Show at the entrance, and report each show afterward. Fewer than four shows a year means no state promoter registration.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- New York State Department of Taxation and Finance
- When
- Organizers who operate four or more shows in a calendar year, or lease space to others who do. Flea markets, craft shows, antique shows and fairs with more than one vendor selling taxable goods count as shows. A show is one event of up to seven consecutive days.
- Timing
- File at least 10 days before the fourth show opens
What the rules ask of you about vendors.
New York State bars a show promoter from letting anyone sell taxable goods at a show unless the seller is registered with the Tax Department, and requires the promoter to make sure each vendor displays a valid Certificate of Authority. Starting with the fourth show a year, promoters must keep each vendor's name, address, certificate number and rent paid for three years and file Form DTF-727 after each show. Official page
When to apply.
- Special Events Permit: Complete the application at least 90 days before the event
- Certificate of Authority (regular): Register at least 20 days before you begin business
- Show promoter permit (Form DTF-723) for four or more shows a year: File at least 10 days before the fourth show opens
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: Erie County Environmental Health (716) 961-6800; Buffalo Special Events Office (716) 851-4004; Buffalo Office of Licenses (716) 851-4041. Full page and sources for Buffalo.
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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