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 Madison, WI.
To run a vendor market in Madison, the organizer needs a Street Use Permit and event vending license for streets and sidewalks, or a Park Event Permit for parks, both through the Parks Division. Sellers need a Wisconsin seller's permit, and food vendors need a Public Health Madison and Dane County transient food license.
Not shown, based on your answers: parks and public space, food vendors. See everything for Madison.
Event permit.
Street Use Permit
Applicants submit an event schedule and site map, an accessibility plan, an emergency action plan sized to expected attendance, and a vending license form if there will be vendors. A non-refundable application fee is due with the application and remaining fees are invoiced after approval; insurance is required for conditional approval.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- City of Madison Parks Division, Community Events
- When
- Events that close or reserve a street, sidewalk, parking lane or space, or that put structures, amplified sound or vending on the public right-of-way. Events on private property need it too if they reserve parking or affect traffic.
- Timing
- 15 days for parking meter or stall requests, 30 days for street closures, 60 days for vending or beer and wine sales
Vendor and business licenses.
Street Use Event Vending License
The organizer lists every vendor with its Wisconsin seller's permit number and whether it sells food or merchandise, and submits the list at least two weeks before the event. The fee depends on how many vendors take part. Events on city property must also send event and food vendor information to Public Health Madison and Dane County.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- City of Madison Parks Division, Community Events
- When
- Street Use Permit events where vendors will sell food, drinks, merchandise or services.
- Fee
- $400 (1 to 25 vendors), $675 (26 to 100), $975 (101 to 300), $1,700 (301 or more)
- Timing
- Vendor list at least 2 weeks before the event; 60 days if a Special Event Resolution is needed for new Mall Concourse vending
Street Vending License and Mall Craft Vending License
Artists selling handmade goods on the Mall Concourse need both licenses, and all goods must be handmade by the vendor. Fees are invoiced after approval and are not prorated. For private property or special event vending, the page tells vendors to ask the Street Vending office.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- City of Madison Economic Development, Street Vending Program
- When
- Makers selling handcrafted goods in the downtown Mall Concourse vending area (not the same as selling at a permitted special event).
- Fee
- Street Vending License $250/year or $150/month; Mall Craft Vending License $500/year or $150/month
Sales tax.
Wisconsin seller's permit
Sellers register for a seller's permit online or on Form BTR-101, then file sales tax returns even when no tax is due. Vendors should display the permit at events, and out-of-state sellers at a Wisconsin event are liable for Wisconsin tax.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- Wisconsin Department of Revenue
- When
- Anyone making taxable sales in Wisconsin, including at craft fairs, flea markets and festivals. Sellers with under $2,000 of taxable sales in a calendar year are not required to hold one.
Sales tax on operator charges (booths, rentals, electricity)
Booth space rental alone is not taxable, but renting a free-standing booth, kiosk or other property, or charging for electricity, can be. Operators' taxable charges are subject to Wisconsin sales tax.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- Wisconsin Department of Revenue
- When
- Operators who themselves sell taxable goods or services, or rent booths, kiosks, chairs or electricity to vendors.
What the rules ask of you about vendors.
Event operators must report every seller at a temporary event, including exempt sellers, to the Department of Revenue on Form S-240 within 10 days after the event ends, and the department asks for it before the event starts. A $200 penalty can apply for a first failure and $500 for each later one. Official page
When to apply.
- Street Use Permit: 15 days for parking meter or stall requests, 30 days for street closures, 60 days for vending or beer and wine sales
- Street Use Event Vending License: Vendor list at least 2 weeks before the event; 60 days if a Special Event Resolution is needed for new Mall Concourse vending
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: Madison Parks Division Community Events, 608-266-4711, MadisonEvents@cityofmadison.com. Full page and sources for Madison.
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.
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Free for organizers: vendor applications with required documents, booth payments, tickets and check-in.