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 Charleston, SC.
To run a vendor market in Charleston, the organizer applies for a Special Event Permit through the city's online portal 60 to 120 days ahead, and event vendors each need a City of Charleston business license. Food vendors are authorized by the South Carolina Department of Agriculture, and vendors need a South Carolina Retail License.
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Event permit.
Special Event Permit (with or without road blocking)
Applications go through the Customer Self Service (CSS) portal and the Special Events Committee reviews them. A detailed site plan and emergency action plan are required, and depending on the event the organizer may also submit a food and retail vendor list, liability insurance, a traffic control plan and an alcohol license. Police and EMS off-duty staffing may be required.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- City of Charleston Special Events Committee (Office of Livability and Tourism)
- When
- Pre-planned events on public property, including streets, sidewalks, trails, parks or other city-managed property that significantly affect public property or traffic; festivals, parades, races and commercial for-profit events are listed
- Fee
- Non-refundable application fee that depends on anticipated attendance (see the city's Special Event Fee Schedule)
- Timing
- 60 days before for events under 500 people; 90 days for 501 to 1,000; 120 days for more than 1,000
Vendor and business licenses.
Special Event Vendor business license
Every special event vendor must obtain a City of Charleston business license for events inside the city. Apply through the CSS portal, by mail or at the Permit Center. Annual fees depend on gross income and business class, and licenses expire each April 30.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- City of Charleston Budget, Finance and Revenue Collections (Revenue Collections Division)
- When
- Vendors who set up a booth or area at a festival, parade or exposition to sell goods or services at events within city limits
Sales tax.
Retail License
Sellers register through MyDORWAY, collect the 6% statewide sales tax plus any local taxes, and file returns. SCDOR says selling without a valid license can bring fines up to $500 per occurrence. Unprepared food meant to be eaten at home is generally exempt from the state tax, while meals and drinks for immediate consumption are taxable.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- South Carolina Department of Revenue (SCDOR)
- When
- Anyone selling at a retail event (no admission fee), selling more than once in 24 months at a special event, or selling at one festival a year; one license per location
- Fee
- $50 non-refundable fee
Artist & Craftsman License
This license lets craft-show-only sellers collect the 6% statewide tax plus local taxes. Anyone who also sells elsewhere, including online, needs the Retail License instead, and sellers at no more than four shows a year of 11 consecutive days or less may need neither.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- South Carolina Department of Revenue (SCDOR)
- When
- Artists and crafters who sell only at craft shows and festivals, products they created or assembled, more than four times in a fiscal year
- Fee
- $20 non-refundable fee
Special Event Return (FC-1) and Special Event Affidavit (FS-152)
One-time special event sellers do not need a Retail License but must complete and submit the Special Event Return and Affidavit. SCDOR representatives provide the forms at the event; sellers who have not received them by the end of the event are told to email SCDOR.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- South Carolina Department of Revenue (SCDOR)
- When
- Vendors who sell at a Special Event (an event that charges admission) only once in a 24-month period
What the rules ask of you about vendors.
SCDOR asks promoters and hosts to email it a list of participating vendors (name, business name, address, phone, email and Retail License number if provided) plus the event location, date and time, and whether the event charges admission. Vendors selling without a valid Retail License can be fined, and SCDOR provides a Retail License verification tool. Official page
When to apply.
- Special Event Permit (with or without road blocking): 60 days before for events under 500 people; 90 days for 501 to 1,000; 120 days for more than 1,000
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: Special Events Manager 843-805-3225. Full page and sources for Charleston.
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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