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 Detroit, MI.
To run a vendor market in Detroit, an organizer with a public event applies to the Mayor's Office Special Events Management Team at least 60 days ahead and needs City Council approval. Food vendors need a Detroit Health Department temporary food license, and vendors need a Michigan sales tax license or concessionaire return and may need a city Vendor license.
Not shown, based on your answers: food vendors. See everything for Detroit.
Event permit.
Special Event Application (City Council approval)
A special event needs the online application, sign-off from city departments and City Council approval, after which the organizer secures each required permit and pays fees. The city advises against publicizing or selling tickets before Council approves.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- City of Detroit Mayor's Office, Special Events Management Team
- When
- Festivals, outdoor events open to the public, events that affect city services, and events that close any right-of-way. Invite-only private-property events, family picnics and block parties are 'permitted events' that skip the application but may still need department permits and police precinct notice.
- Timing
- Submit at least 60 days before the event; later applications are subject to automatic denial
Vendor and business licenses.
Vendor license (selling goods from vehicles, carts or on foot)
Detroit's business licensing process starts with state registration, tax IDs and zoning checks, then an online application for the license type that fits the business. Business License and Trade Permits staff can say whether a market booth vendor needs the Vendor license.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- City of Detroit Buildings, Safety Engineering, and Environmental Department (BSEED), Business Licensing
- When
- The city's business licensing page lists 'Vendor' as a license category for selling goods from vehicles, carts or on foot, applied for through the Accela/eLAPS portal. The page does not say whether booth vendors inside a permitted special event need it.
Sales tax.
Michigan sales tax license or Concessionaire's Sales Tax Return (Form 5089)
Retailers collect 6% sales tax. Vendors at more than two events a year must hold a sales tax license, which is registered through Form 518 and available online once processed. Sellers can start selling before the license arrives but must remit tax from their first sale.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- Michigan Department of Treasury
- When
- Anyone selling tangible goods to final consumers, including at events. Vendors at only one or two Michigan events a year can use Form 5089 instead.
- Fee
- No fee for a sales tax license
When to apply.
- Special Event Application (City Council approval): Submit at least 60 days before the event; later applications are subject to automatic denial
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: Special Events Manager, Mayor's Office: (313) 269-7409. Full page and sources for Detroit.
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.