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 Knoxville, TN.
To run a vendor market in Knoxville, the organizer applies through the Office of Special Events ($50 fee, 60 days ahead) for events on city property. Vendors need a Knox County business tax license plus city registration, food vendors a Knox County Health Department temporary food permit ($30), and the promoter registers the event with the Tennessee Department of Revenue.
Not shown, based on your answers: food vendors. See everything for Knoxville.
Event permit.
Special Event permit application (Eproval online permitting)
The Office of Special Events handles events on city property and takes applications through its Eproval online system, with quarterly coordinating meetings. The city also suggests city parks, which can cost less than events requiring street closures. Private-property events are not addressed on the page.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- City of Knoxville Office of Special Events
- When
- All special events on city property in Knoxville, including events needing street closures
- Fee
- $50 non-refundable application processing fee per event application
- Timing
- Return the forms 60 days before the event
Vendor and business licenses.
Business tax license (Knox County Clerk) and City of Knoxville registration
Most businesses in Knox County must get a business license from the County Clerk before engaging in business, applying online, in person or by mail. The Clerk's page does not describe a separate one-day event license.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- Knox County Clerk, Business Tax Division; City of Knoxville Department of Finance
- When
- Businesses in Knox County; those inside the city limits of Knoxville must also register with the city Department of Finance
- Fee
- $15.00 application fee
Sales tax.
Tennessee special event sales tax registration
Each vendor registers for sales tax for the specific event: vendors with an existing Tennessee account ask the Department to add the event, and vendors without one submit the Special Event Vendor Registration. Vendors registered only for the event file a return due the 20th of the month after the event ends.
- Who
- Organizer and vendors
- From
- Tennessee Department of Revenue
- When
- Vendors and promoters selling at a short-term special event such as an arts and crafts show or holiday market
What the rules ask of you about vendors.
Tennessee treats the event promoter as a sales tax registrant for each event: the promoter registers the event location and dates with the Department of Revenue (marking the application as Special Event Promoter), receives a letter to hand to every vendor, and files and pays tax on taxable sales. Official page
When to apply.
- Special Event permit application (Eproval online permitting): Return the forms 60 days before the 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: Knoxville Office of Special Events, 865-215-4248. Full page and sources for Knoxville.
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.