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 San Antonio, TX.
In San Antonio, a vendor market in a city park goes through Parks and Recreation's special events coordinator, and events needing a street closure go through Right of Way Management. Food vendors need a Metro Health temporary food permit, and vendors selling taxable goods need a Texas Comptroller sales tax permit. Confirm private-property rules with the city.
Not shown, based on your answers: parks and public space, fire safety, tents and cooking, food vendors. See everything for San Antonio.
Event permit.
Special event booking in a city park
Large events in parks are booked through the Parks special events coordinator rather than the regular reservation system. These events usually require event policies and procedures, damage and cleanup deposits, liability insurance and sometimes security.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- City of San Antonio Parks and Recreation Department, Special Events
- When
- Large special events such as concerts, runs, walks, fundraisers and festivals in a park (the Parks FAQ defines a special event as more than 75 people)
Block Party Permit (temporary street closure)
Closure requests need written acknowledgement from every resident and business fronting the closed street, barricade company details and possibly a site or traffic plan. Fire and Police review the request.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- City of San Antonio Public Works, Right of Way Management
- When
- Events that need a street closed; streets that are not mainly residential are not normally considered for this permit type
- Fee
- $115 per block, per calendar day
- Timing
- At least 30 calendar days before the closure date
Vendor and business licenses.
No general business license in Texas
The Governor's office states that Texas does not require a general business license. Whether a vendor needs a city license depends on what is sold, so the vendor should check with the city. Selling taxable goods still requires a Texas sales tax permit (listed separately).
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- Office of the Texas Governor (Small Business Assistance)
- When
- Vendors selling at a market or event in San Antonio; the state page says activity-specific licenses and permits may still apply at the federal, state and local level.
Sales tax.
Texas Sales and Use Tax Permit
Sellers at markets and similar events who sell taxable goods or services need a Texas Sales and Use Tax Permit, even when they sell only temporarily at the event. Apply online, by mail or at a Comptroller field office.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
- When
- Vendors who sell, or take orders for, taxable items or services at a fair, festival, market or show, including sellers from outside Texas
- Fee
- There is no fee to apply for a permit
What the rules ask of you about vendors.
Under Texas Comptroller guidance, an event promoter must collect and remit sales tax on sales by vendors who lack an active Texas sales tax permit, unless those sales are exempt. For vendors claiming the occasional-sales exemption, the promoter needs a letter from the seller and both must keep records for four years. Official page
When to apply.
- Block Party Permit (temporary street closure): At least 30 calendar days before the closure 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 2026-10-10. It isn't legal advice; rules, fees and deadlines change. Special events contact: Parks special events coordinator, 210-207-3053, SAParksSpecialEvents@SanAntonio.gov. Full page and sources for San Antonio.
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.