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 Savannah, GA.
To run a vendor market in Savannah, the organizer applies for a Special Event permit at least 90 days ahead and must hire an off-duty police officer. Food vendors need Chatham County temporary food permits, and vendors need a city Business Tax Certificate and Georgia sales tax registration or an FS-32 Miscellaneous Sales Event report.
Not shown, based on your answers: parks and public space, food vendors. See everything for Savannah.
Event permit.
Special Event Permit
It is unlawful to stage a special event without the permit under the city special event ordinance. Applications go through the eProval account, and the permit comes with a requirement to hire an off-duty Savannah police officer for the whole event. Applicants can apply up to a year ahead and should check the special event calendar first.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- City of Savannah Special Events, Film and Tourism (Planning and Economic Development)
- When
- Planned events on city parks, squares or public right-of-way, or that reserve a public venue or close a right-of-way; very small gatherings under fifty people with no setup may proceed without a permit
- Fee
- $30.00 non-refundable application fee; $150.00 base permit fee per permit (2024 Revenue Ordinance); park and square rental fees extra
- Timing
- Apply no later than 90 days before the event
Vendor and business licenses.
Business Tax Certificate (business license)
All businesses operating in Savannah must hold a current Business Tax Certificate. New applicants first submit a Business Location Approval application to Development Services. The 2024 revenue ordinance also lists a per-event fee for special event vendors.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- City of Savannah Revenue Department
- When
- Businesses operating within the city of Savannah; the same ordinance charges special event vendor fees per vendor per event
- Fee
- Special event vendor fee $25.00 per vendor per event; $50.00 per food truck vendor per event (2024 Revenue Ordinance)
Sales tax.
Sales and use tax registration (dealer)
Dealers register for a sales and use tax number and certificate of registration through the Georgia Tax Center and, after online submission, should receive the tax account number by email within 15 minutes. Registration does not require renewal while the business continues unchanged.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- Georgia Department of Revenue
- When
- Any individual or entity meeting the definition of "dealer" in O.C.G.A. 48-8-2, including sellers at markets, regardless of whether sales are online, wholesale or exempt
Miscellaneous Sales Event report (Form FS-32)
Unregistered sellers collect Georgia sales tax at the rate of the jurisdiction where the event is held, report taxable sales on Form FS-32, and pay by check or money order (no cash). At the close of the event the form and tax go to the Revenue Agent on duty or are mailed within 3 days.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- Georgia Department of Revenue
- When
- Sellers at a one-off event who are not registered for Georgia sales tax; registered sellers can include the sales on their regular return
- Timing
- Return the form and tax at the close of the event, or mail within 3 days
When to apply.
- Special Event Permit: Apply no later than 90 days before the event
- Miscellaneous Sales Event report (Form FS-32): Return the form and tax at the close of the event, or mail within 3 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: Special Events 912-351-3837. Full page and sources for Savannah.
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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