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 Los Angeles, CA.
To run a vendor market in Los Angeles, an organizer applies for a Special Event Permit through the Bureau of Street Services when the market uses the public right-of-way, and large tents need LADBS and LAFD approval. Food sellers need Los Angeles County Public Health permits. Vendors register for a City business tax certificate and a California seller's permit.
Not shown, based on your answers: fire safety, tents and cooking, food vendors. See everything for Los Angeles.
Event permit.
Special Event Permit (Streets LA)
Apply through the Streets LA Special Events Portal, submit the required petition forms, proof of insurance and a signed indemnification agreement. Costs are quoted after all affected city departments review the application.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- City of Los Angeles Bureau of Street Services, Street Services Investigation & Enforcement Division
- When
- Events using public streets or sidewalks, including street closures and sidewalk sales; personal events such as birthdays are not eligible
- Fee
- $312 penalty fee if the application arrives 21 days or less before the event; $100 for technical corrections to a submitted application
- Timing
- Submit at least 45 days before the event
Other rules.
LAPD permit for dances, carnivals, live music or alcohol
The LADBS page says an LAPD permit is required for these activities and directs organizers to the Office of Finance, (213) 996-1210, for how to get it.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- Los Angeles Police Department, via the Office of Finance
- When
- Events with dances, carnivals, live music or alcohol
Vendor and business licenses.
Business Tax Registration Certificate (BTRC)
Register online or in person; an online applicant can print a temporary certificate and the permanent one arrives by mail in about four weeks. Most new businesses owe no business tax for the first two years, and small businesses under $100,000 in receipts and creative artists may be exempt from the tax but should still register and renew on time.
- Who
- Organizer and vendors
- From
- City of Los Angeles Office of Finance
- When
- Any business operating in the City of Los Angeles, including vendors
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 (Streets LA): Submit at least 45 days before the event
- 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: Streets LA Special Events, (213) 847-6000, bssspevents@lacity.org. Full page and sources for Los Angeles.
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.