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.
Updated
Tell us about your event.
Permits for your market in Montgomery, AL.
In Montgomery, AL, organizers apply to the city's Special Events Department for a Public Assembly/Special Event permit (334-625-2105), and vendors need a city business license from License and Revenue, including a no-physical-location license for out-of-town sellers. Food vendors need a Montgomery County Health Department temporary food permit, and vendors register for Alabama sales tax.
Not shown, based on your answers: food vendors. See everything for Montgomery.
Event permit.
Public Assembly / Special Event Permit
The Special Events Department accepts and processes public assembly and special event permits, and the city's apply-for page leads to an online event application. Call the department to learn which permit fits a vendor market and what it costs.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- City of Montgomery Special Events Department
- When
- Public assemblies and special events in the city; the city's pages do not list size thresholds, fees or lead times
Vendor and business licenses.
Business License Application - No Physical Location
The License and Revenue Division issues the legal authorization to operate in the city, with a form for non-local and home-based businesses. New applicants show current US-issued photo ID. The page does not mention a temporary event vendor license and states no fee.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- City of Montgomery License and Revenue Division
- When
- Businesses without a physical location in Montgomery, including non-local businesses and home-based businesses; businesses with a commercial address use a separate application and need a Certificate of Occupancy
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
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: Montgomery Special Events Department, 334-625-2105. Full page and sources for Montgomery.
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.