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 Ocean City, MD.
In Ocean City, MD, a private event on public property or needing town support requires a Private Event Application to the Special Events Department at least 90 days ahead, with Mayor and Council approval. Tents over 200 square feet need a Fire Marshal tent/special event permit, and food vendors need a Worcester County Health Department temporary food license.
Not shown, based on your answers: fire safety, tents and cooking, food vendors. See everything for Ocean City.
Event permit.
Private Event Application and Permit
The applicant submits the application, reviewed by all affected town departments and the Recreation and Parks Committee, then must appear before the Mayor and Council, which approves, denies or modifies the event. Approval is followed by a Private Event Permit. A new application is filed each year for recurring events.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- Town of Ocean City, Special Events Department (Recreation and Parks)
- When
- Private events hosted on public property, using town equipment or labor, or needing support from town authorities. Applicants wanting a town park contact Recreation and Parks first.
- Fee
- $100.00 application fee; $100.00 late submission fee; public property usage $250 per venue/block/day (Mar 16-Oct 31) or $150 (Nov 1-Mar 15); $75.00 concession fee on approval
- Timing
- At least 90 days before the event (no earlier than one year); approval may take up to 120 days
Other rules.
Boardwalk vending limits
No permit is needed to perform on the Boardwalk, but only expressive materials the vendor created (books, prints, paintings, photographs, recordings) may be vended; housewares, clothing, jewelry, candles and similar goods may not. Vending is barred from 1 a.m. to 9 a.m., and nothing may stand more than six feet above ground.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- Town of Ocean City, City Clerk
- When
- Anyone vending on the Boardwalk
Vendor and business licenses.
Trader's License (or Exhibitor's Affidavit at a show)
Maryland trader's licenses are issued by the county Circuit Court Clerk (Worcester County clerk: 410-632-5500) for a May 1 to April 30 license year. The Comptroller says a promoter must collect each exhibitor's trader's license copy or Exhibitor's Affidavit before the show.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- Clerk of the Circuit Court for Worcester County, for the Comptroller of Maryland
- When
- Anyone selling goods in Maryland who is not a grower or manufacturer. At a show, an exhibitor does not need their own trader's license if the show is promoted by an exempt entity the Comptroller lists, or if they give the promoter an Exhibitor's Affidavit (under 10 percent of annual income from like goods, and no more than three shows in the previous 365 days).
Sales tax.
Temporary Sales and Use Tax License (30 days)
A vendor contacts the Comptroller's temporary license desk with the event date, name and location plus business details, then collects Maryland sales and use tax on event sales. Vendors at three or more events a year should register for a permanent license through Maryland Tax Connect.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- Comptroller of Maryland
- When
- Vendors without a permanent Maryland sales and use tax license who sell at one-time events such as craft shows and fairs. Maryland has one statewide rate and no local sales taxes.
Flea market sales are taxable (Business Tax Tip #14)
The Comptroller says flea market sales are taxable like any other sale and a vendor must first get a license, either a 30-day permit or a permanent license through the Combined Registration Application. The 6 percent rate is a single statewide rate with no local sales taxes, and vendors must display their license where sales are made.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- Comptroller of Maryland
- When
- Vendors at flea markets and similar markets, including nonprofits and private individuals (casual and isolated sales under $1,000 of a seller's own household goods are exempt, but not sales by full or part-time dealers)
What the rules ask of you about vendors.
A show promoter may not let an exhibitor take part unless the exhibitor has given a photocopy of a valid Trader's License or an Exhibitor's Affidavit before the show. Exhibitors must display it, and the promoter must forward all Exhibitor Affidavits to the Comptroller's State License Bureau within seven days after the show. Non-compliance is a misdemeanor with a fine up to $100 or up to 30 days in jail. Official page
When to apply.
- Private Event Application and Permit: At least 90 days before the event (no earlier than one year); approval may take up to 120 days
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: Town of Ocean City Special Events Department, 410-250-0125 x5185, 200 125th Street. Full page and sources for Ocean City.
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.