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 Manchester, NH.
In Manchester, NH, a fair, festival or market generally needs a City Clerk business license, and peddlers have their own license. Food vendors need a Manchester Health Department temporary event food permit at $25 per day. New Hampshire has no general sales tax, but sellers of prepared meals need a Meals and Rentals license from the state.
Not shown, based on your answers: fire safety, tents and cooking, food vendors. See everything for Manchester.
Event permit.
Business license for fairs, festivals and most other special events
The City Clerk's list of activities that must file for a business license includes farmer's markets, fairs, festivals, performers and exhibitors, and most other special events, along with peddlers and hawkers. Business license costs vary by activity, so the Division should be asked for the fee and requirements.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- City of Manchester Office of the City Clerk, Business Licensing & Enforcement Division
- When
- Fairs, festivals, farmer's markets, and most other special events; the City Clerk recommends calling to confirm whether a given event needs a license
Vendor and business licenses.
Peddlers License
The City Clerk lists peddlers and hawkers among the businesses required to file for a license and offers a Peddlers License Application. Fees vary by activity and are not published on the page.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- City of Manchester Office of the City Clerk, Business Licensing & Enforcement Division
- When
- Peddlers and hawkers selling in the City; ask the Division whether booth vendors at a licensed event need their own
Sales tax.
No general sales tax; Meals and Rentals Tax Operator's License for meals
The state's Division of Economic Development lists New Hampshire as a state with no sales tax. Sellers of taxable meals, including booths at fairs and festivals and food trucks, must hold a Meals and Rentals license before opening, and caterers need a separate license for occasional serving at various locations.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- New Hampshire Department of Revenue Administration
- When
- Everyone selling at New Hampshire events; the license applies only to sellers of taxable meals
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: Manchester City Clerk Business Licensing & Enforcement Division, 603-624-6348, One City Hall Plaza; Manchester Health Department Environmental Health, 1528 Elm Street. Full page and sources for Manchester.
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.