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 New Orleans, LA.
To run a vendor market in New Orleans, the organizer files a Special Event Permit with Safety & Permits (Master Application plus Supplement A) and posts a sales tax bond when 3 or more vendors take part. Vendors need a trade show vendor license, Louisiana and city sales tax registration, and an LDH food permit.
Not shown, based on your answers: parks and public space, fire safety, tents and cooking, food vendors. See everything for New Orleans.
Event permit.
Special Event Permit (Master Application, Supplement A promoter permits)
Organizers file the Master Application with Supplement A and other supplements the event triggers (tents, safety and security, street closure), plus proof of the right to use the location and a vendor list. Vendors must wait until the promoter has applied before they can apply.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- City of New Orleans Department of Safety & Permits (One Stop)
- When
- Fairs, markets and festivals in the city; almost all events need a promoter occupational license and Mayoralty permit
- Fee
- Per the city's fee sheet dated 3/15/17: promoter special event occupational license $250.25 ($125.25 nonprofit), plus a permit type, e.g. $500.25 for a promoter of a free event with merchandise sales (Transient Vendor Class C; $0.00 nonprofit) or $250.25 for an exhibition charging admission ($125.25 nonprofit)
- Timing
- The guide recommends starting at least 90 days before the event
Vendor and business licenses.
Trade Show Vendor Occupational License (Supplement A)
The license runs January 1 to December 31 and can be used at other events that year. First-time vendors are licensed only when the promoter has put them on the vendor list filed with the Bureau of Revenue and bring a letter from the promoter. Louisiana-resident artists who sell only their own hand-made crafts or art may be exempt from the fee, at the Bureau's discretion.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- City of New Orleans Department of Finance, Bureau of Revenue
- When
- Every vendor at a special event or trade show, including food vendors and food trucks that want to vend beyond normal limits
- Fee
- $50 (guide); $50.25, nonprofit $0.00 (3/15/17 fee sheet)
Sales tax.
Sales tax performance bond for promoters
Promoters of events with 3 or more vendors post a performance bond to secure the sales tax due. The promoter permit page scales the bond by vendor count: $10,000 minimum for 3 to 20 vendors, $500 times the number of vendors for 21 to 39, and $20,000 for 40 or more, and the application also requires the promoter's vendor list.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- City of New Orleans Department of Finance, Bureau of Revenue
- When
- For-profit events with 3 or more participating vendors
- Fee
- $10,000 minimum performance bond (3 to 20 vendors); $500 x vendors (21 to 39); $20,000 maximum (40+)
Louisiana sales tax account for special events (Form R-16019)
Vendors register for a Louisiana revenue account on Form R-16019, marking the special-event boxes, and file the R-1029SE Special Events return. The state page says the state rate is 5% since January 1, 2025, and vendors must also contact local tax authorities for local rates.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- Louisiana Department of Revenue
- When
- Every vendor making retail sales at a special event, resident or not, even if selling once a year
- Timing
- Mail the application at least 2-3 weeks before the event
City of New Orleans sales tax for event vendors and promoters
The guide says vendors and promoters must pay sales tax to the City of New Orleans through the Bureau of Revenue, separately from the state. Vendors selling original art at an event in a Cultural Products District need not pay the city tax but must file a return claiming the exemption.
- Who
- Organizer and vendors
- From
- City of New Orleans Department of Finance, Bureau of Revenue
- When
- Vendors and promoters at special events, trade shows and itinerant vendors selling in the city
What the rules ask of you about vendors.
Louisiana's Department of Revenue says promoters of fairs, craft shows, flea markets and similar events must notify the Department of the event and provide a list of all participating vendors, including exempt ones and display-only booths, two weeks before the event. New Orleans additionally requires promoters of events with 3 or more vendors to post a sales tax performance bond. Official page
When to apply.
- Special Event Permit (Master Application, Supplement A promoter permits): The guide recommends starting at least 90 days before the event
- Louisiana sales tax account for special events (Form R-16019): Mail the application at least 2-3 weeks 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: Department of Safety & Permits, 1340 Poydras St, Suite 800; 504-658-7200 or EventPermits@nola.gov. Full page and sources for New Orleans.
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.