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 Chesapeake, VA.
To run a vendor market in Chesapeake, the organizer applies for an Outdoor Special Event Permit from Parks, Recreation and Tourism, required on private property above 500 attendees or for bazaars with food concessions. Vendors need a Chesapeake business license and a Virginia sales tax account or ST-50, and food vendors need a Virginia Department of Health temporary food permit.
Not shown, based on your answers: parks and public space, fire safety, tents and cooking, food vendors. See everything for Chesapeake.
Event permit.
Outdoor Special Event Permit
The organizer submits the city's application with a site plan; city and state departments (Revenue, Fire, Police, Public Works, Health) review it. The city acts within 15 business days of getting everything it asked for.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- City of Chesapeake Parks, Recreation and Tourism (Special Events Coordination Office)
- When
- On public or private property when more than 500 people are expected on private property, or for carnivals, bazaars and similar public events with food concessions, amusements or amplified live entertainment. Park events with 500 or more people, tents or stages, food concessions, amplified sound or alcohol also need one. The city lists exceptions such as an established business operating outside at its own permanent address.
- Fee
- Non-refundable administrative fee that may be billed: $28.20 for events on public (non-park) or private property; $0 in city parks (park rental fees apply); $10 for a block party or event using streets or sidewalks without a closure; $100 with road closures
- Timing
- 30 days before for attendance of 499 or less; 60 days for 500 to 1,000; 90 days for over 1,000 or a major road closure
Other rules.
Event insurance and alcohol
The guidebook asks for property damage and bodily injury coverage of at least $1,000,000 combined single limit, or the amount Risk Management sets, with the City as additional insured. Serving alcohol adds host liquor coverage and a Virginia ABC banquet license, and alcohol is generally not allowed on city property.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- City of Chesapeake (Risk Management); Virginia ABC for alcohol
- When
- Events on public property; alcohol served at the event
Vendor and business licenses.
City of Chesapeake business license (BPOL)
The city says every business must buy a license before operating, with most taxes based on gross receipts. The event guidebook states merchandise, food and beverage vendors must hold a valid Chesapeake business license and/or meet the tax requirements, and tells organizers to contact the Commissioner of the Revenue.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- Chesapeake Commissioner of the Revenue, Business Tax Section
- When
- Merchandise, food and beverage vendors selling at an event in the city
Sales tax.
Temporary Sales Tax Certificate/Return (Form ST-50)
Event vendors without a Virginia account report and pay the tax on the ST-50 return, due by the 20th of the month after the event. A seller who attends 3 or more shows a year must instead register for a permanent sales tax account.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- Virginia Department of Taxation (Virginia Tax)
- When
- Vendors at a show or event who are not permanently registered for Virginia sales tax; sellers at fairs and flea markets cannot rely on the occasional sale exemption
What the rules ask of you about vendors.
Virginia sales tax rules for fairs and flea markets say the Department of Taxation may authorize a sponsor or operator to remit the tax collected by the vendors at the event; an operator who wants that arrangement must apply to the Department in writing. The rule does not require a vendor list. Official page
When to apply.
- Outdoor Special Event Permit: 30 days before for attendance of 499 or less; 60 days for 500 to 1,000; 90 days for over 1,000 or a major road closure
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: 757-382-6411 (events@cityofchesapeake.net). Full page and sources for Chesapeake.
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.