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 Mobile, AL.
To run a vendor market in Mobile, the organizer files a free Event Services application (120 days ahead), holds a Special Event Revenue License with a tax bond for vendors' sales taxes, and arranges Mobile County Health Department food permits. Vendors need a City of Mobile business license and an Alabama sales tax license.
Not shown, based on your answers: parks and public space, fire safety, tents and cooking, food vendors. See everything for Mobile.
Event permit.
Event Services Application
One application routes the event through the city departments, which then send a quote and invoice for any permits and personnel. Related permits in the fee schedule include block party, road closure and parade permits. Public safety staff costs are charged to the organizer.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- City of Mobile Events Department (Event Services)
- When
- A temporary gathering or organized activity with 100 or more people that involves city property or resources, temporary structures, sound amplification, commercial enterprise, fundraising or animals; the guide says it applies on public or private property
- Fee
- Filing the application is free; separate fees apply, e.g. $5.00 Block Party Permit, $25.00 Road Closure Permit plus personnel costs if needed
- Timing
- Submit no later than 120 days before the event; shorter notice is considered at the city's discretion
Other rules.
Event insurance
Required coverage includes commercial general liability of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate with the City of Mobile as additional insured, liquor liability if alcohol is served, and workers' compensation if the event has employees.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- City of Mobile Events Department
- When
- Events approved through Event Services
Vendor and business licenses.
Special Event Revenue License and tax bond
The organizer holds a Special Event Revenue License that covers the taxes due on all sales at the event, and posts a tax bond or certified funds. The Revenue Department gives the organizer a tax envelope for each vendor to hand out, collect and return within ten days of the event, after which the deposit is released.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- City of Mobile Revenue Department
- When
- Any event with revenue, for-profit or not-for-profit
- Fee
- $134.00 for 1-25 vendors, $164.00 for 26-75, $264.00 for 76-125, $314.00 for 125+ (license plus issue fee); $39.00 nonprofit or charitable rate; tax bond $5,000 for up to 75 vendors, $10,000 for 76 or more
- Timing
- Envelopes are returned within 10 days after the event
City of Mobile business license (peddler or food vendor license)
Event vendors need a City of Mobile business license, an annual license that expires December 31. The 2026 vendor guide lists an initial peddlers license and an initial food vendor license, each with a half-year version starting July 1. Food trucks also need Board of Health clearance and a Fire Prevention inspection.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- City of Mobile Revenue Department
- When
- Vendors at City of Mobile events; the city requires a valid business license for any business within the corporate limits and police jurisdiction
- Fee
- Peddlers license $134.00 ($50 license + $70 tax deposit + $14 issue fee); food vendor license $134.00 ($120 + $14); half-year versions from July 1: peddlers $25 license + $70 deposit + $14, food $60 + $14
Sales tax.
Alabama sales tax license (My Alabama Taxes)
Sellers register their retail business with the Department through the My Alabama Taxes portal to get a sales tax license. The Department's rules say peddlers making retail sales must get a license and may be required to post a bond if they have no fixed place of business. The registration page does not describe a separate temporary event license.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- Alabama Department of Revenue
- When
- Vendors making retail sales of tangible goods in Alabama, including peddlers and event vendors
Sales tax on admission to arts and crafts shows
Alabama's rule on places of amusement lists arts and crafts shows and art shows (fairs) as exhibitions whose admission receipts are subject to sales tax, collected separately from the customer. A free-entry market is not addressed by the rule.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- Alabama Department of Revenue
- When
- Ticketed or paid-admission markets, art shows and craft fairs run by private organizers
What the rules ask of you about vendors.
Mobile requires the organizer of any event with sales to hold a Special Event Revenue License and a tax bond or certified funds, hand each vendor a tax envelope, and return the completed envelopes to the Revenue Department within ten days after the event. Official page
When to apply.
- Event Services Application: Submit no later than 120 days before the event; shorter notice is considered at the city's discretion
- Special Event Revenue License and tax bond: Envelopes are returned within 10 days after 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 2026-10-11. It isn't legal advice; rules, fees and deadlines change. Special events contact: Event Services 251-208-1552. Full page and sources for Mobile.
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.