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 Norfolk, VA.
To run a vendor market in Norfolk, an organizer applies to SevenVenues for an event permit on city property (30 to 120 days ahead) or to City Planning for private property, plus a Fire Marshal permit for tents. Vendors need a Norfolk business license or $50 Special Event Business License, and food vendors a $40 health permit.
Not shown, based on your answers: fire safety, tents and cooking, food vendors. See everything for Norfolk.
Event permit.
Open Air Event Permit (events on City property)
Organizers file a small (0-199 attendees) or large (200 or more) permit application with the application fee and supporting documents such as a site map and insurance certificate; a permit issues once fees and department approvals are done. Fees must be paid at least 10 business days before the event.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- City of Norfolk SevenVenues (Parks and Recreation handles community parks)
- When
- Events open to the public on City-owned property, including streets, sidewalks, parks and open space; also any event on City property in the Downtown Improvement District or on a City street. Invitation-only private events in community parks use a Parks and Recreation facility use application instead.
- Fee
- Application fee $25 resident / $50 non-resident; sidewalk or lane closure permit $50; street closure permit $100; open space rental per day: small event $50 resident / $100 non-resident, large event $100 / $200
- Timing
- Open space: 30 days (0-199 attendees), 60 days (200-999), 90 days (1,000-4,999), 120 days (5,000+); block party or street festival 30 days
Public Event / Private Property permit
A property owner may apply for four special events a year and cannot hold a Conditional Use Permit. The Planning page limits festivals, bazaars and outdoor sales to 14 days a year in most zoning districts (60 days a year, seven consecutive, in Pedestrian Commercial Overlay districts) and flea markets to 14 days a year on public-agency or registered nonprofit property.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- City of Norfolk Department of City Planning
- When
- Temporary events on private property such as sales events, bazaars and festivals. The permit is needed only for open-to-the-public events with entertainment or alcohol and more than 25 attendees; events without alcohol or entertainment file a no-fee notice instead.
- Fee
- $25 for events with alcohol or entertainment, if submitted up to 15 days before the event; no fee for events without them
- Timing
- Submit 15 days before the event
Other rules.
Event insurance and alcohol licensing
If required, the organizer buys the insurance, names the City as an additional insured and delivers the certificate to Special Events at least 10 business days ahead. Where alcohol is allowed, the event needs a Virginia ABC license and liquor liability coverage.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- City of Norfolk SevenVenues; Virginia ABC
- When
- Events on City property, when insurance is required for the event type, activities and attendance; alcohol is not permitted in City open space
Vendor and business licenses.
Special Event Business License (or active Norfolk business license)
The vendor must first be accepted by the event organizer, who sends the Commissioner a vendor list; then the vendor applies, with Treasurer approval, and must be current on city taxes. The license covers other special events in Norfolk for the year and is labeled food or non-food; food vendors also collect the City meal tax and entertainment sellers an admissions tax.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- City of Norfolk Commissioner of the Revenue
- When
- Anyone selling food or merchandise at a special event in Norfolk. Since 2025, businesses with an active Norfolk business license can show it instead. Event organizers and nonprofits usually do not need one but should confirm.
- Fee
- $50 per year; meal tax 6.5% on prepared food; admissions tax 10%
- Timing
- Applications and payment at least 7 business days before the event
Sales tax.
Temporary Sales Tax Certificate/Return (Form ST-50)
The vendor collects sales tax at the rate of the locality where the event is held and files the ST-50 with payment by the 20th of the month after the event. The form lists a 5.3% general rate and 6% in the Northern Virginia, Hampton Roads and Central Virginia regions.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- Virginia Department of Taxation (Virginia Tax)
- When
- Vendors without a permanent Virginia sales tax account who sell taxable goods at a show, fair or event
- Timing
- Return due on or before the 20th of the month following the show
Permanent sales tax account for frequent event sellers
Virginia Tax says vendors at more than three events a year must register a sales tax account, and seasonal sellers can register as a seasonal business so they file only for the months they sell. Registration is done online through Virginia Tax's business registration page.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- Virginia Department of Taxation (Virginia Tax)
- When
- Vendors who sell at events regularly. Virginia Tax's festival-season page says more than 3 events a year; the ST-50 form says 3 or more shows a year
Fairs and flea markets are not "occasional sales" (23VAC10-210-570)
The regulation says sellers at fairs and flea markets must hold a certificate of registration and collect and remit tax, with no distinction between profit and nonprofit vendors, and they cannot use the occasional-sale exemption. It also lets the Department authorize a sponsor or operator to remit the tax for the vendors.
- Who
- Organizer and vendors
- From
- Virginia Department of Taxation (Virginia Tax)
- When
- Anyone selling tangible goods at a fair, flea market, carnival or circus, including nonprofits
What the rules ask of you about vendors.
Norfolk's Commissioner of the Revenue asks event organizers to send a vendor list (name and details of every vendor selling food or merchandise) as soon as the event is known, using the City's Vendor Information Sheet, so vendors can be licensed before the event. Vendors not on the organizer's list cannot get a Special Event Business License. State rules for event sellers' sales tax are in Virginia's fairs and flea markets regulation. Official page
When to apply.
- Open Air Event Permit (events on City property): Open space: 30 days (0-199 attendees), 60 days (200-999), 90 days (1,000-4,999), 120 days (5,000+); block party or street festival 30 days
- Public Event / Private Property permit: Submit 15 days before the event
- Special Event Business License (or active Norfolk business license): Applications and payment at least 7 business days before the event
- Temporary Sales Tax Certificate/Return (Form ST-50): Return due on or before the 20th of the month following the show
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: 757-664-6880. Full page and sources for Norfolk.
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.
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