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 Fort Wayne, IN.
In Fort Wayne, a market that affects streets or sidewalks needs a Block Party or Parade permit from the City's Right-of-Way Department at least 10 working days ahead. Food vendors need an Allen County temporary food permit, vendors register as Indiana retail merchants, and a county transient merchant license may apply where required.
Not shown, based on your answers: food vendors. See everything for Fort Wayne.
Event permit.
Block Party and Parade permit (special events in the right-of-way)
The organizer files the Parade/Block Party permit application with the Right-of-Way office; the Police Department may need to coordinate, and the applicant may have to supply extra barricades at their own cost. Events with significant sidewalk or road impacts should be discussed with the office well ahead. The page does not address a market held entirely on private property.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- City of Fort Wayne Public Works, Right-of-Way Department
- When
- Special events that affect streets or sidewalks, including block parties, parades, walk/run events and public assemblies of more than 25 people. Block parties are not allowed on major corridors. Road closures and lane restrictions need a separate barricade permit with fees by road classification.
- Fee
- $15 block party or neighborhood association parade (with signatures from affected residents); $50 for public assemblies of over 25 people, parades and walk/run events
- Timing
- Complete at least 10 working days before the event; discuss events with significant impacts up to 3 months ahead
Vendor and business licenses.
Indiana Transient Merchant License (county auditor, where required)
The state revenue bulletin says a transient merchant license must come from the county auditor where the merchant sells if the county requires one, and that as of March 2023 only Parke County did. It also warns that some Indiana cities and towns have their own merchant licensing, so check locally.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- County auditor of the county where the merchant sells
- When
- Merchants engaged in temporary business in Indiana, only in counties that require it.
Sales tax.
Registered Retail Merchant Certificate
Merchants register through INBiz before selling and file sales tax returns on Form ST-103. Filing frequency depends on prior sales, with annual filing for under $1,000 in annual collections and seasonal filing allowed. Selling without a certificate is a misdemeanor.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- Indiana Department of Revenue
- When
- Any merchant selling at retail in Indiana, including transient merchants at temporary events.
When to apply.
- Block Party and Parade permit (special events in the right-of-way): Complete at least 10 working days before the event; discuss events with significant impacts up to 3 months ahead
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: Fort Wayne Right-of-Way Office 260-427-6155. Full page and sources for Fort Wayne.
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.