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 Irvine, CA.
To run a vendor market in Irvine, an organizer applies for a Special Event Permit with Facility Reservations, at least 30 days ahead for smaller events, and tents or cooking need an Orange County Fire Authority permit. Food sellers need Orange County health permits; vendors need an Irvine business license and a California seller's permit.
Not shown, based on your answers: fire safety, tents and cooking, food vendors. See everything for Irvine.
Event permit.
Special Event Permit
Applications go through the city's special events portal and are routed to departments and outside agencies such as Building and Safety, the Orange County Fire Authority and the Orange County Health Care Agency. Public Safety reviews a safety and security plan and communications plan.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- City of Irvine Facility Reservations
- When
- Temporary events such as festivals, carnivals, parades and races that close streets, add temporary structures, amplified sound, or food and alcohol service, or that are inconsistent with the site's zoning or occupancy
- Fee
- $300 application processing fee ($150 for nonprofit organizations); $500 expedited fee
- Timing
- Minor events (under 1,500 people): at least 30 days before; major events (over 1,500 people): at least 6 months before
Vendor and business licenses.
Irvine business license
New licenses are applied for online and run for 12 months. Businesses must apply within 60 days of their start date to avoid late fees.
- Who
- Organizer and vendors
- From
- City of Irvine Business Licensing
- When
- Businesses operating in Irvine; the page does not say how it applies to short-term event vendors, so confirm with the licensing team
- Fee
- $78.37 new license for teams under 10 employees; $156.88 for 10 or more employees (includes the $4 state ADA fee)
Sales tax.
Seller's permit or temporary seller's permit
California requires a temporary seller's permit for anyone selling at a location for under 90 days, and each temporary sales location is registered with its own start and end dates. Registration is online through CDTFA.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA)
- When
- Vendors making retail sales of taxable goods at a market; sellers at one location for less than 90 days are treated as temporary sellers
- Fee
- Free
- Timing
- May be obtained 90 days before the business start date
Seller information for the event operator
Most sellers of new or used goods hold a seller's permit, and a seller with an existing permit still registers a sub-permit for the temporary location. Sellers give the event operator their business details and permit number in writing, and CDTFA offers form CDTFA-410-D for this. Occasional sellers and sellers with only exempt sales may not need a permit.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA)
- When
- Sellers at swap meets, flea markets and special events
What the rules ask of you about vendors.
Under CDTFA Publication 111, operators of swap meets, flea markets and special events may not rent space to a seller until they verify the seller holds a valid seller's permit, unless an exemption applies. Operators collect each seller's business name, address, phone, ID, items sold and permit number in writing, keep the records at least four years, and give them to CDTFA within 30 days of a written request. The page warns of a penalty of up to $1,000 per seller for missing records. Official page
When to apply.
- Special Event Permit: Minor events (under 1,500 people): at least 30 days before; major events (over 1,500 people): at least 6 months before
- Seller's permit or temporary seller's permit: May be obtained 90 days before the business 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 2026-10-10. It isn't legal advice; rules, fees and deadlines change. Special events contact: Irvine Facility Reservations, 949-724-6620. Full page and sources for Irvine.
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.