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 Colorado Springs, CO.
For a vendor market in Colorado Springs, organizers usually need a permit from the city's Office of Special Events for park or public-property events, and must give the City Sales Tax Office a vendor list. Food vendors need El Paso County Public Health special event permits, and vendors need state and city sales tax licenses. Confirm with each office.
Not shown, based on your answers: parks and public space, fire safety, tents and cooking, food vendors. See everything for Colorado Springs.
Event permit.
Citywide Special Event, Park Special Event or Block Party permit
The Office of Special Events lists separate Citywide Special Event, Park Special Event and Block Party permits, plus a Permit Partner tool that estimates the permits, inspections and licenses an event will need. The page does not explain which permit fits which event, so call the office.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- City of Colorado Springs Office of Special Events
- When
- Events in city parks, on public property or on closed streets. The city page does not say whether a market on private property needs a permit.
Vendor and business licenses.
Temporary vending permit (park events)
The park special event rules say a temporary vending permit from Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services must be obtained if the organizer or any attendee will vend at the event. The rules do not state a fee or whether the organizer or each vendor applies.
- Who
- Organizer and vendors
- From
- City of Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services
- When
- Any vending of food or products at an event held in a city park.
Sales tax.
Special Event Sales Tax License (state)
Vendors at one-off events use the state Special Event Sales Tax Application (DR 0589): a single event license for one event, or a multiple event license for any number of events over two years. Mail it in or apply in person at a Taxpayer Service Center, including the Colorado Springs office. Vendors who already hold a standard Colorado sales tax license pay no fee.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- Colorado Department of Revenue
- When
- Sellers with no permanent place of business, or standard-license holders who also sell at fairs and festivals. A standard sales tax license is required for events that occur more than three times a year at the same location.
- Fee
- $8 per event for a single event license; $16 for a two-year multiple event license
- Timing
- Allow 4 to 6 weeks for mailed applications; in-person visits issue the license during the visit
City sales tax license for temporary and special events
Colorado Springs collects its own city sales tax. Vendors who already hold a regular city sales tax license report event sales on it; transient vendors get a free single event or multiple event license, applied for online.
- Who
- Organizer and vendors
- From
- City of Colorado Springs Sales Tax Office
- When
- Anyone making taxable sales at a fair, trade show, bazaar or flea market in the city, including food and drink for immediate consumption.
- Fee
- No fee for the license
What the rules ask of you about vendors.
The city's tax guide says the event coordinator must send the City Sales Tax Office a participant list (business and owner names, mailing and email addresses, phone, city sales tax license number) before the event, tell vendors to get licensed and collect city tax, and obtain a license and remit tax for any vendor who stays unlicensed. The city may require a cash bond, and the return is due by the 20th of the month after the event. Official page
When to apply.
- Special Event Sales Tax License (state): Allow 4 to 6 weeks for mailed applications; in-person visits issue the license during the visit
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: Office of Special Events, 719-385-5940. Full page and sources for Colorado Springs.
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.