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 Des Moines, IA.
For a Des Moines vendor market, the organizer applies for a Street Use Permit through the city portal for street events, or a park permit at least 10 days ahead. The Fire Department permits tents of 400 square feet or more. Food vendors need an Iowa DIAL temporary license, and vendors need an Iowa sales tax permit.
Not shown, based on your answers: parks and public space, fire safety, tents and cooking, food vendors. See everything for Des Moines.
Event permit.
Street Use Permit (residential and non-residential)
Organizers apply through the city's self-service portal and use the posted instructions and forms. Residential street closures need a neighbor petition, and events with special hazards have their own packet.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- City of Des Moines, Event Street Use (City Manager's Office)
- When
- Events held on city streets; the city also posts separate farmers market, special hazard event and temporary power documents
Vendor and business licenses.
Transient Merchant License / Mobile Food Vendor License
The Clerk issues Transient Merchant, Mobile Food Vendor, Peddler and Premise permits. The page does not say whether booth vendors inside a permitted market need a Transient Merchant License, so confirm with the Clerk's Office.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- City of Des Moines City Clerk's Office
- When
- Food or non-food sellers operating as transient merchants, and food trucks or trailers; a transient merchant may only locate on a property with a current Premise Permit
Sales tax.
Iowa sales tax permit (no temporary permits)
Iowa issues no temporary tax permits, so vendors need a permanent permit and give the event sponsor their name, address and permit number. Exhibitors who only display products and do not sell need no permit.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- Iowa Department of Revenue
- When
- Vendors making taxable sales or providing taxable services at a temporary event such as a craft show.
- Fee
- Business tax permits are free of charge
Event sponsor registration on GovConnectIowa
The sponsor registers the event on GovConnectIowa and must identify all vendors making taxable sales at the event.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- Iowa Department of Revenue
- When
- Anyone who runs a show, flea market, roadside stand or event where vendors sell taxable products or services in Iowa.
- Timing
- Register within ten days of the event being held
What the rules ask of you about vendors.
Iowa treats anyone who runs a show, flea market, roadside stand or similar event with taxable vendor sales as an event sponsor. The sponsor registers the event on GovConnectIowa within ten days of the event being held and must identify all vendors making taxable sales, under Iowa Code section 423.33(3). Official page
When to apply.
- Event sponsor registration on GovConnectIowa: Register within ten days of the event being held
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: Event Street Use, StreetUse@dmgov.org; City Clerk's Office, 515-283-4209. Full page and sources for Des Moines.
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.