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 Charlottesville, VA.
To run a vendor market in Charlottesville, an organizer files a Special Event Permit with Parks and Recreation ($25 fee) 30 days ahead, or 60 with a street closure, plus a tent permit above 900 square feet and $1,000,000 insurance. Vendors need a city business license, and food vendors a Blue Ridge Health District permit.
Not shown, based on your answers: fire safety, tents and cooking, food vendors. See everything for Charlottesville.
Event permit.
Special Event Permit
The sponsor submits the application with the non-refundable fee; Police, Fire, Public Works, Transit, Neighborhood Development Services and Parks review it, and a decision follows within 10 business days (30 for larger events). City services are unavailable on UVA home football game days.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- City of Charlottesville Parks and Recreation (Events Coordinator)
- When
- Events on City-owned property, including streets, parks and the Downtown Mall, expected to draw 50 or more people or reserving space; smaller unreserved gatherings need no permit
- Fee
- $25.00 non-refundable application fee
- Timing
- 30 days before the event without a street closure; 60 days with a street closure request (the Special Event Regulations say 30 and 60 business days)
Other rules.
Liability insurance for events
The sponsor furnishes a general liability and property damage insurance contract naming the City as an additional insured, with proof of coverage; failing to provide it is grounds for denying the permit.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- City of Charlottesville
- When
- Permitted events on City property; the City Manager may waive or modify the requirement
- Fee
- Not less than $1,000,000
Vendor and business licenses.
Business license tax
Applications are due within 30 days of starting business, filed electronically through the Commissioner's secure portal, with the fee based on gross receipts. Event sponsors must show that all licenses the Commissioner requires have been obtained or the permit can be denied.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- City of Charlottesville Commissioner of the Revenue
- When
- Businesses operating in the city, including food trucks, pop-ups and peddlers, which have their own flat fee; the page does not say whether one-day event vendors are covered
- Fee
- Food truck / pop-ups / peddlers $125 per year, pro-rated; other businesses: under $50,000 gross receipts $35, $50,001 to $100,000 $50
Sales tax.
Temporary Sales Tax Certificate/Return (Form ST-50)
The vendor collects sales tax at the rate of the locality where the event is held and files the ST-50 with payment by the 20th of the month after the event. The form lists a 5.3% general rate and 6% in the Northern Virginia, Hampton Roads and Central Virginia regions.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- Virginia Department of Taxation (Virginia Tax)
- When
- Vendors without a permanent Virginia sales tax account who sell taxable goods at a show, fair or event
- Timing
- Return due on or before the 20th of the month following the show
Permanent sales tax account for frequent event sellers
Virginia Tax says vendors at more than three events a year must register a sales tax account, and seasonal sellers can register as a seasonal business so they file only for the months they sell. Registration is done online through Virginia Tax's business registration page.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- Virginia Department of Taxation (Virginia Tax)
- When
- Vendors who sell at events regularly. Virginia Tax's festival-season page says more than 3 events a year; the ST-50 form says 3 or more shows a year
Fairs and flea markets are not "occasional sales" (23VAC10-210-570)
The regulation says sellers at fairs and flea markets must hold a certificate of registration and collect and remit tax, with no distinction between profit and nonprofit vendors, and they cannot use the occasional-sale exemption. It also lets the Department authorize a sponsor or operator to remit the tax for the vendors.
- Who
- Organizer and vendors
- From
- Virginia Department of Taxation (Virginia Tax)
- When
- Anyone selling tangible goods at a fair, flea market, carnival or circus, including nonprofits
What the rules ask of you about vendors.
Charlottesville's Special Event Regulations make the event sponsor responsible for food and beverage vending: the sponsor must provide documentation that all required licenses and permits (Health Department, ABC and the Commissioner of the Revenue) have been obtained, or the permit can be denied or revoked. For sales tax, Virginia's fairs and flea markets regulation lets the Department authorize a sponsor to remit vendors' tax and does not require a vendor list. Official page
When to apply.
- Special Event Permit: 30 days before the event without a street closure; 60 days with a street closure request (the Special Event Regulations say 30 and 60 business days)
- Temporary Sales Tax Certificate/Return (Form ST-50): Return due on or before the 20th of the month following the show
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: (434) 970-3267. Full page and sources for Charlottesville.
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.