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 Hartford, CT.
To run a vendor market on Hartford streets or parks, the organizer applies to the City's Special Events Services, 90 days ahead for festivals or street closures. Food vendors need Hartford temporary food permits, other vendors a $25 Temporary Peddler Permit, and sellers need a Connecticut Sales and Use Tax Permit from the Department of Revenue Services.
Not shown, based on your answers: parks and public space, fire safety, tents and cooking, food vendors. See everything for Hartford.
Event permit.
Special Events Permit
The organizer applies through the City's recreation portal, and large or complex events such as festivals, parades and marathons go through a task force meeting. The applicant pays direct City costs for cleanup, public safety and equipment, and must carry $1,000,000 per occurrence in liability, auto and workers' compensation coverage naming the City as additional insured. Exempt: funeral processions, First Amendment activities, escort vehicles and daily farmers' markets.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- City of Hartford Special Events Services (Office of the Chief Operating Officer)
- When
- Pre-planned events expecting 100 or more people at one time on City property, including parks, streets and sidewalks; the page also defines a special event more broadly as an event on city property, in a city building or on private property that needs specific city or state permits or city services
- Timing
- Festivals, parades, marathons, or events needing a Temporary Liquor Permit, Pyrotechnics Permit, State Capitol Police clearance or any street closure: submit 90 days before the event
Vendor and business licenses.
Temporary Peddler Permit (Itinerant Peddlers Permit)
Licenses and Inspections requires each vendor to hold its own permit, applied for in person at 260 Constitution Plaza, first floor (cash is not accepted). With multiple vendors, the event applicant may collect each vendor's name, business name, phone, address, Connecticut Sales Tax ID and email, with the fees, and hand them to the office.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- City of Hartford Licenses & Inspections
- When
- Individual vendors selling at a City special event
- Fee
- $25
- Timing
- Vendor data and payment due 15 days before the special event
Sales tax.
Sales and Use Tax Permit
A permit is required for individuals and businesses alike regardless of how many sales are made, except for casual or isolated sales. Register online through myconneCT, display the permit at the booth or table, and note that selling without one carries fines.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- Connecticut Department of Revenue Services
- When
- Anyone selling at a flea market, craft show, trade show, antique show or fair, even for one day
- Fee
- There is a $100 fee for registering to collect sales and use tax.
When to apply.
- Special Events Permit: Festivals, parades, marathons, or events needing a Temporary Liquor Permit, Pyrotechnics Permit, State Capitol Police clearance or any street closure: submit 90 days before the event
- Temporary Peddler Permit (Itinerant Peddlers Permit): Vendor data and payment due 15 days before the special event
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: Hartford Special Events Services, (860) 757-9512, specialevent@hartford.gov. Full page and sources for Hartford.
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.