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 Columbia, SC.
In Columbia, SC, event organizers start with the city's online special event request and the applicable permit forms (Special Event Permit, street closure, fire, police), with liability insurance naming the city. Vendors deal with City Business Licensing and an SC Department of Revenue Retail License, and food vendors need Department of Agriculture event authorization.
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Event permit.
Special Event request and Special Event Permit
Organizers start with the online special event request form, then complete whichever city forms apply: Special Event Permit, Street Closure Request, Parks and Recreation Event, Fire Department Request, Police Department Request or Mobile Stage. The city publishes a planning flow chart and a service fee chart; their contents were not read.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- City of Columbia Special Event Services
- When
- Festivals, parades, concerts and other special events in the City of Columbia
Other rules.
Event liability insurance
The sponsor gives the Special Events Coordinator a policy naming the City of Columbia as additional insured 10 days before the event. Festivals and major events need $1,000,000 general liability with $2,000,000 aggregate; races, walks and parades need $1,000,000 and $1,000,000 aggregate; liquor liability of $1,000,000 applies if alcohol is served.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- City of Columbia Special Event Services
- When
- Sponsors of events using the city's special event process; neighborhood block parties need none
- Fee
- $1,000,000 general liability / $2,000,000 aggregate for festivals or major events
- Timing
- Copy of policy 10 days before the event
Vendor and business licenses.
Single Event Arts & Crafts permit and city business license
The Business Licensing Division has a one-page Single Event Arts & Crafts application asking for the applicant, business, event name, dates and address. Other businesses apply through the city self-service portal, and food sellers complete a Food Service Questionnaire.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- City of Columbia Business Licensing
- When
- Arts and crafts sellers at a single event in Columbia; other businesses use the standard city business license
- Fee
- $10.00 per event (Single Event Arts & Crafts permit)
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.
- Event liability insurance: Copy of policy 10 days 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: Columbia Special Events Coordinator, 803-545-3514. Full page and sources for Columbia.
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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