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 Lansing, MI.
In Lansing, event food vendors need a temporary food license from the Ingham County Health Department, $100 or $250 if applied for less than five days before the event, and vendors need a Michigan sales tax license or concessionaire return. The City of Lansing handles special event, street closure and noise waiver permits; confirm its requirements.
Not shown, based on your answers: food vendors. See everything for Lansing.
Event permit.
Special Event Permit Application (SEPA)
Organizers download the SEPA form and email it with the fee and supporting documents; the city does not accept it through the website, and submission does not guarantee approval. The fee rises the closer to the event the application arrives.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- City of Lansing Parks and Recreation, Special Events Planning
- When
- Events such as festivals, concerts, parades, runs and neighborhood events on a street, in a city park or in a city parking lot, and events needing a street closure.
- Fee
- $250 if submitted 90 days or more before the event; $400 if less than 90 but more than 60 days; $800 if less than 60 but more than 30 days (non-refundable)
- Timing
- At least 90 days before the event to avoid a penalty; no applications accepted less than 30 days before
Vendor and business licenses.
Transient Merchant License
Lansing requires certain businesses to hold a city license, and its list includes a Transient Merchant License for temporary selling. A city license does not replace required state and county licenses. Applications can be printed and mailed or, for some licenses, submitted online.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- City of Lansing City Clerk, Business Licensing
- When
- Anyone who runs a temporary business selling and delivering goods within the city. The page does not say whether a vendor at an organizer's permitted market counts; ask the City Clerk. Licenses are generally issued for one year.
Sales tax.
Michigan sales tax license or Concessionaire's Sales Tax Return (Form 5089)
Retailers collect 6% sales tax, and Michigan has no city, local or county sales tax. Vendors at more than two events a year must hold a sales tax license, registered online through Michigan Treasury Online or on Form 518. Sellers may begin selling before the license arrives but must remit tax from their first sale.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- Michigan Department of Treasury
- When
- Anyone selling tangible goods to final consumers, including at events. Vendors at only one or two Michigan events a year can use Form 5089 instead of a license.
- Fee
- No fee for a sales tax license
When to apply.
- Special Event Permit Application (SEPA): At least 90 days before the event to avoid a penalty; no applications accepted less than 30 days before
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. Full page and sources for Lansing.
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.