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 Fort Collins, CO.
To run a vendor market in Fort Collins, an organizer needs a city Special Event Permit for events on streets, sidewalks, parks or natural areas, while private events that don't affect traffic need none. Vendors need a Fort Collins sales tax license, with a temporary form for event participants, plus a Larimer County food license for food booths.
Not shown, based on your answers: food vendors. See everything for Fort Collins.
Event permit.
Special Event Permit
Apply through the city's online special events portal. A security and damage deposit is due with the application and scales with expected attendance, from $250 for under 500 people without alcohol up to $5,000 for over 2,500.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- City of Fort Collins, Special Event Permits
- When
- Events on city streets, sidewalks, parks or natural areas, whatever their size. Private events on your own property that don't close streets or affect traffic don't need one.
- Fee
- $100 application fee ($50 for non-profits), plus a deposit of $250 to $5,000 by attendance
- Timing
- At least 45 business days before the event; 60 business days with alcohol or at Civic Center Park, Washington Park, Legacy Park or Oak Street Plaza
Other rules.
Event liability insurance
Most events on City property need general liability insurance; the City's Risk Management Office reviews each application and sets the amount. Events using vehicles beyond commuting need auto liability coverage of at least $500,000.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- City of Fort Collins, Special Event Permits
- When
- Most large events, races and events serving alcohol
Vendor and business licenses.
City sales tax license (temporary license form for special events)
The city requires everyone doing business there to hold a city sales tax license, and the same page lists a Temporary Sales Tax License form for special event participants. The page states no temporary license fee or eligibility rules, and it describes no separate general business license.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- City of Fort Collins Sales Tax Office
- When
- Anyone doing business in Fort Collins, including event participants selling in the city
Sales tax.
Colorado Special Event License
Sellers need a special event license unless the event organizer has a license to collect tax for participating sellers. Apply with form DR 0589 plus government-issued photo ID by mail, and keep the copy as a temporary license until the official one arrives.
- Who
- Organizer and vendors
- From
- Colorado Department of Revenue
- When
- Retail sales at a special sales event: more than three sellers at a location other than their normal business location, held no more than three times a year at the same location. Events held three or more times a year need a regular Retail Sales Tax License instead. Fort Collins is a home-rule city, so its own tax rules apply in addition to the state special event license above.
- Fee
- Single event license $8.00 per event; multiple event license $16.00 for a 2-year cycle
What the rules ask of you about vendors.
Colorado requires an event organizer to tell each participating seller which taxes and rates apply, and to give the Department of Revenue the names, addresses and special event license numbers of the sellers within 10 days after the event. An organizer with its own special event license can collect and remit tax for vendors. Official page
When to apply.
- Special Event Permit: At least 45 business days before the event; 60 business days with alcohol or at Civic Center Park, Washington Park, Legacy Park or Oak Street Plaza
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: Special Event Permits: SpecialEventPermit@fortcollins.gov, 970-416-2303. Full page and sources for Fort Collins.
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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