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 Shreveport, LA.
To run a vendor market in Shreveport, the organizer files a Special Permit Application with SPAR Event Services at least 45 days ahead for review by the Event Task Force. Food vendors need a Louisiana Department of Health temporary food permit, vendors register for Louisiana sales tax, and vendors holding a business need a city occupational license.
Not shown, based on your answers: parks and public space, fire safety, tents and cooking, food vendors. See everything for Shreveport.
Event permit.
Special Permit Application (Mini Festival / Festival Plaza and other event types)
A complete application includes the filled form, a certificate of insurance, a site map and equipment, electrical and plumbing requests. Submission does not confirm the event until the Event Task Force approves, advertising cannot start before approval, and police, EMS and fire prevention charges are paid on the event day. Admission fees are not allowed in city parks, and alcohol in parks needs legislation and permits.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- City of Shreveport Department of Public Assembly and Recreation (SPAR) Event Services, with the Event Task Force
- When
- Festivals and markets on city parks, plazas, streets or other city property
- Timing
- Submit at least 45 calendar days before the first day of the event; vendor load-in timeline due 30 days before
Other rules.
Event insurance and security
The application requires commercial general liability insurance of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate naming the City of Shreveport as additional insured, workers' compensation if applicable, and each food vendor must carry its own certificate of liability insurance. Uniformed off-duty city police officers are required if alcohol is served, arranged through the Special Events Unit.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- City of Shreveport (SPAR) and Shreveport Police Department
- When
- Events approved through the Special Permit Application
Vendor and business licenses.
Occupational / business license
All businesses inside the corporate limits need an annual license, and the page says the license is a receipt for taxes paid rather than authorization to do business. To finish an application you need a Caddo-Shreveport Sales and Use Tax number and state and federal tax IDs; the city issues a temporary license for the first 30 days.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- City of Shreveport Department of Finance, Revenue Division
- When
- Businesses operating within the city limits; the page does not mention a one-day event license
- Fee
- $50 initial fee for the first six months of the year and $25 from July 1; tax by gross receipts, minimum $50 for retail
Sales tax.
Louisiana sales tax account for special events (Form R-16019)
Vendors register for a Louisiana revenue account on Form R-16019, marking the special-event boxes, and file the R-1029SE Special Events return. The state page says the state rate is 5% since January 1, 2025, and vendors must also contact local tax authorities for local rates. Booth and space fees are not subject to sales tax, but admission fees are.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- Louisiana Department of Revenue
- When
- Every vendor making retail sales at a special event, resident or not, even if selling once a year
- Timing
- Mail the application at least 2-3 weeks before the event
What the rules ask of you about vendors.
Louisiana's Department of Revenue says promoters and event coordinators must notify the Department of the event and send a list of all participating vendors, including exempt vendors and display-only booths, at least 30 days before the event, with an updated list within 2 weeks after it, and must give vendors the Department's tax materials. Official page
When to apply.
- Special Permit Application (Mini Festival / Festival Plaza and other event types): Submit at least 45 calendar days before the first day of the event; vendor load-in timeline due 30 days before
- Louisiana sales tax account for special events (Form R-16019): Mail the application at least 2-3 weeks before the event
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: SPAR Event Services 318-673-5100. Full page and sources for Shreveport.
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.