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 Salisbury, MD.
In Salisbury, MD, an organizer submits an event request through the city's Downtown event page at least 30 days ahead, with insurance for groups over 200 and a recycling plan, and pays city street or park rental fees. Mobile vendors and transient merchants need a city license, and food vendors need a Wicomico County Health Department temporary food license.
Not shown, based on your answers: parks and public space, fire safety, tents and cooking, food vendors. See everything for Salisbury.
Event permit.
Event Request (Hold an Event)
The organizer submits the event request form with the event type and desired location; city staff review it, approve it, and then payment is collected. Groups over 200 people need a certificate of liability insurance and a recycling plan. If required, insurance is $1,000,000 per occurrence and $3,000,000 aggregate naming the city as additional insured.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- City of Salisbury, Arts, Business and Culture (Downtown Salisbury)
- When
- Events held downtown or on city streets, parks and facilities
- Timing
- Requests at least 30 days before the event; refunds only if cancelled 14 days ahead
Vendor and business licenses.
Mobile Vendor and Transient Merchant license
Applicants apply online, contact the Wicomico Circuit Court Clerk to learn whether a county license is needed, and contact the County Health Department if serving food. The city posts a $1,000 surety bond requirement and runs background checks that can take up to a month. Hours are limited to 9 AM to 9 PM unless the Mayor allows otherwise.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- City of Salisbury, Office of Business Development
- When
- Mobile vendors and transient merchants operating in the city under Chapter 5.32 of the municipal code. The city page does not say whether a vendor at a city-approved market counts as a transient merchant.
- Fee
- $100 non-refundable application fee; $50 for renewal
Trader's License (or Exhibitor's Affidavit at a show)
Maryland trader's licenses are issued by the county Circuit Court Clerk (Wicomico County clerk: 410-543-6551) 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 Wicomico 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.
- Event Request (Hold an Event): Requests at least 30 days before the event; refunds only if cancelled 14 days ahead
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: City of Salisbury, Arts, Business and Culture, https://www.downtownsby.com/events/hold-an-event. Full page and sources for Salisbury.
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.