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 McKinney, TX.
Texas cities don't issue a general business license, so McKinney vendors need a Texas sales and use tax permit. Organizers of events of 75 or more people that sell on public property or close streets apply for a Special Event Permit ($100) at least 60 days ahead, and food vendors need a $52 temporary health permit (food trucks use DSHS).
Not shown, based on your answers: food vendors. See everything for McKinney.
Event permit.
Special Event Permit
The organizer submits the application and fee at least 60 days out; city departments review it and a committee meeting with the applicant is set 30 to 45 days before the event. Race and run routes on public streets must be cleared with the Police Department before applying.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- City of McKinney Special Events Coordinator (Special Events Review Committee)
- When
- A temporary gathering of 75 or more people, on private or public property, that involves a street closure, blocking public property, selling merchandise, food or beverages on public property, alcohol sales where otherwise prohibited, tents or canopies on public property, staging, or certain signs. Events in City parks or on trails need Parks and Recreation to confirm availability first.
- Fee
- $100 non-refundable fee per application; trail use fees of $500 to $3,250 apply to races on City trails
- Timing
- Application and fee due at least 60 days before the event
Vendor and business licenses.
No general business license in Texas
The Governor's office states that Texas does not require a general business license. Whether a vendor needs a city license depends on what is sold, so the vendor should check with the city. Selling taxable goods still requires a Texas sales tax permit (listed separately).
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- Office of the Texas Governor (Small Business Assistance)
- When
- Vendors selling at a market or event in McKinney; the state page says activity-specific licenses and permits may still apply at the federal, state and local level.
Sales tax.
Texas Sales and Use Tax Permit
Sellers at markets and similar events who sell taxable goods or services need a Texas Sales and Use Tax Permit, even when they sell only temporarily at the event. Apply online, by mail or at a Comptroller field office.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
- When
- Vendors who sell, or take orders for, taxable items or services at a fair, festival, market or show, including sellers from outside Texas
- Fee
- There is no fee to apply for a permit
What the rules ask of you about vendors.
Under Texas Comptroller guidance, an event promoter must collect and remit sales tax on sales by vendors who lack an active Texas sales tax permit, unless those sales are exempt. For vendors claiming the occasional-sales exemption, the promoter needs a letter from the seller and both must keep records for four years. Official page
When to apply.
- Special Event Permit: Application and fee due at least 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 2026-10-10. It isn't legal advice; rules, fees and deadlines change. Special events contact: McKinney Special Events Coordinator 972-547-2651, Contact-SpecialEvents@McKinneyTexas.org. Full page and sources for McKinney.
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.