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.
Updated
Tell us about your event.
Permits for your market in Burlington, VT.
To run a vendor market in a Burlington park, the organizer needs a Special Use Permit approved by the Parks, Recreation and Waterfront Commission at least a month ahead. Street vending needs a City peddler license from the Clerk/Treasurer, food vendors need a Vermont Department of Health temporary license, and everyone needs a Vermont business tax account.
Not shown, based on your answers: parks and public space, food vendors. See everything for Burlington.
Event permit.
Special Use Permit (parks)
Every Special Use Permit request needs Commission approval at least one month before the requested date. The Commission meets on the second Tuesday of every month (except July), and organizers work with the Department to bring the request. Permits are issued under Appendix D of the Code of Local Ordinances.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- City of Burlington Parks, Recreation & Waterfront Department, approved by the Parks, Recreation and Waterfront Commission
- When
- Gatherings in a park open to the public, over 99 people, with vendors or amplified sound, exclusive use of a space, a fee to attend, commercial or fundraising use, or any solicitation; a General Park Permit (20 to 99 people) does not allow vendors of any kind
- Timing
- Commission approval required at least one month before the requested date
Other rules.
Vending in Parks (seasonal food and beverage carts)
Only food and beverage vendors approved through the City's online application may vend on Parks property, and unauthorized vending is prohibited.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- City of Burlington Parks, Recreation & Waterfront Department
- When
- Food and beverage carts at Starr Farm Park, Leddy Beach Park and A_Dog Skate Park from June through October; not an event vendor permit
- Fee
- $100 per month and 3% of monthly gross sales
Vendor and business licenses.
Peddler License
Applicants submit a background check consent, a certificate of liability insurance, a Vermont Secretary of State business ID, and for food a Vermont Department of Health certificate and Burlington Gross Receipts form. The Central District is closed to new applicants, and the General District does not cover City parks or Church Street Marketplace.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- City of Burlington Clerk/Treasurer's Office
- When
- Vending on City streets and sidewalks (General and Central Districts); at an event hosted by the Parks Department, contact Parks about license requirements instead
- Fee
- General District $100/year or $15/month; Central District $300/year or $60/month; background check $45.00 per person
Sales tax.
Business tax account and license
Vendors must have a Vermont business tax account and license before making taxable sales, and should register at least one day before the event. Vermont charges a 6% sales tax on most goods and a 9% Meals and Rooms Tax on prepared food, including sales by vendors at farmers' markets and street fairs.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- Vermont Department of Taxes
- When
- Any vendor making taxable sales at a farmers' market, flea market, craft fair, show or exhibition, even once
- Fee
- Both are free.
- Timing
- Register for a tax account at least one day before the event.
What the rules ask of you about vendors.
An event organizer must give the Department of Taxes a list of vendors at least one business day before an event where 25 or more vendors are expected, and send an updated list within seven days after the event if it changes. Fees charged to vendors for space are not taxable unless the fee is to rent items such as chairs or tables, and admission fees are subject to sales tax. Official page
When to apply.
- Special Use Permit (parks): Commission approval required at least one month before the requested date
- Business tax account and license: Register for a tax account at least one day before the event.
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 2026-10-11. It isn't legal advice; rules, fees and deadlines change. Special events contact: Burlington Parks, Recreation & Waterfront, 802-864-0123; Clerk/Treasurer's Office 802-865-7000. Full page and sources for Burlington.
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.