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 Pasadena, CA.
In Pasadena, public events in a park or street need a special event permit from the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Special Events Office, applied for 6 to 9 months ahead. Food booths need Pasadena Public Health permits, businesses need a city business license, and vendors need a California seller's permit from the CDTFA.
Not shown, based on your answers: parks and public space, fire safety, tents and cooking, food vendors. See everything for Pasadena.
Event permit.
Special Event Permit
Start by emailing the Special Events Inquiry Sheet. Staff then call you, share the application with every affected department and may hold a coordinating meeting. Public safety (police and fire) charges are billed separately.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- City of Pasadena Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department, Special Events Office
- When
- Events open to the public in a City park, street or other City facility; large private events on City property
- Timing
- Applications must be received 6 to 9 months before the event; the inquiry sheet is due at least six months before
Private-property events: no special event permit, other permits apply
The city FAQ says a special event permit is not required for private-property events, but organizers may still need a health permit for food sales, an open-flame permit for cooking, a tent permit, noise-ordinance compliance and police coordination.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- City of Pasadena (Public Health, Fire, Police and other departments)
- When
- Events on private property
Other rules.
Insurance for events and vendors on City property
Organizers must carry general liability naming the City as additional insured, plus auto liability and workers' compensation with a waiver of subrogation. Vendors providing services on City property, such as food vendors and caterers, also need insurance; alcohol adds liquor liability. Dollar limits are not stated on the page.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- City of Pasadena Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department
- When
- Events on City property
Vendor and business licenses.
Pasadena Business License
The city requires a business license tax certificate for businesses operating in the city; the tax is mostly a flat rate plus a per-employee amount. Apply online or at 100 N. Garfield Ave, Room N106, or call (626) 744-4166. The pages we read do not say whether out-of-town one-day event vendors are covered, and Rose Parade street vendors use a separate New Year's Vendor Permit.
- Who
- Organizer and vendors
- From
- City of Pasadena Finance Department, Business Services Section
- When
- Businesses operating within Pasadena city limits
Sales tax.
Seller's permit or temporary seller's permit
A temporary seller's permit covers one selling location for 90 days or less, with start and end dates entered when registering online. Some sellers are exempt, such as those selling only exempt food products and occasional sellers.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA)
- When
- Vendors making retail sales of taxable goods at a market; generally three or more taxable sales within 12 months at a location open for less than 90 days
- Fee
- Free
- Timing
- You may obtain a temporary seller's permit 90 days prior to your business start date
Seller information for the event operator
Sellers of new or used goods, including handcrafted items, generally hold a seller's permit, and a seller with an existing permit still registers a sub-permit for the temporary location. Sellers give the event operator their business details and permit number in writing, and CDTFA offers form CDTFA-410-D for this.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA)
- When
- Sellers at swap meets, flea markets and special events
What the rules ask of you about vendors.
Under CDTFA Publication 111, operators of swap meets, flea markets and special events may not rent space to a seller until they verify the seller holds a valid seller's permit, unless an exemption applies. Operators collect each seller's business name, address, phone, ID, items sold and permit number in writing, keep the records at least four years, and give them to CDTFA within 30 days of a written request. The page warns of a penalty of up to $1,000 per seller for missing records. Official page
When to apply.
- Special Event Permit: Applications must be received 6 to 9 months before the event; the inquiry sheet is due at least six months before
- Seller's permit or temporary seller's permit: You may obtain a temporary seller's permit 90 days prior to your business start date
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: Parks, Recreation and Community Services Special Events Office, (626) 744-7507, prcsevents@cityofpasadena.net. Full page and sources for Pasadena.
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.