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 Green Bay, WI.
To run a vendor market on Green Bay public property, the organizer applies for a Special Event permit at least 60 days ahead, with a $1,000,000 liability policy for small events. Vendors selling food need a Brown County Public Health transient license. Direct sellers in a special event don't need a city permit, and vendors need a Wisconsin seller's permit.
Not shown, based on your answers: fire safety, tents and cooking, food vendors. See everything for Green Bay.
Event permit.
Special Event permit
The organizer submits the online Special Events Application with a map; the committee gives conditional approval, then the insurance certificate is approved before the permit is issued. The city bills police, fire and other services separately.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- City of Green Bay Special Events Committee (Special Events Coordinator)
- When
- Events on public property such as parks, streets, sidewalks and rights-of-way that are open to the public. The city says events on private property are not Special Events under its policies.
- Fee
- Application fee by size: small event (all others) $50 for Green Bay residents, $75 for non-residents; medium $175 / $263; late application fee $25 to $138 depending on size
- Timing
- Submit at least 60 calendar days before the event start date
Other rules.
Insurance and hold harmless agreement
Small, medium and large events must carry commercial general liability of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence, workers' compensation, and liquor liability of $1,000,000 if beer or wine is served or sold. Special hazard events (such as fireworks) need $2,000,000 general liability. The city must be named additional insured.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- City of Green Bay Risk Management
- When
- Small, medium and large events; simple events sign a hold harmless agreement without insurance
Vendor and business licenses.
Direct Seller permit (not required at special events and farmers markets)
The city says direct sellers who are part of a farmers market or other special event currently do not need a permit. A direct seller offering food needs a transient license from Brown County first, and food trucks also need a city license.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- City of Green Bay Clerk's Office
- When
- Selling goods at a location other than a permanent place of business, such as a stand on city right-of-way
Sales tax.
Wisconsin seller's permit
Sellers register for a seller's permit online or on the Business Tax Registration application, then file sales tax returns. Vendors engaged in business with $2,000 or more of taxable sales in a calendar year must hold one. Permits last two years, seasonal sellers can get a permit valid only for the months they list, and out-of-state sellers at a Wisconsin event are liable for Wisconsin tax.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- Wisconsin Department of Revenue
- When
- Vendors selling taxable merchandise at temporary events such as craft fairs, flea markets, farmers markets and festivals, unless their sales are exempt (for example, the occasional sale exemption).
- Fee
- The initial registration fee is $20 for new businesses and the renewal fee is $10
Sales tax on operator charges (booths, rentals, electricity)
Booth space rental alone is not taxable, but renting a free-standing booth, kiosk or other property, or charging for electricity, can be. Operators' taxable charges are subject to Wisconsin sales tax.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- Wisconsin Department of Revenue
- When
- Operators who themselves sell taxable goods or services, or rent booths, kiosks, chairs or electricity to vendors.
What the rules ask of you about vendors.
Event operators must report every seller at a temporary event, including exempt sellers, to the Department of Revenue on Form S-240 within 10 days after the event ends, and the department asks for it before the event starts. A $200 penalty can apply for a first failure and $500 for each later one. Official page
When to apply.
- Special Event permit: Submit at least 60 calendar days before the event start date
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 Events Coordinator, 920-448-3005, specialevents@greenbaywi.gov. Full page and sources for Green Bay.
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.