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 St. Mary's County, MD.
In St. Mary's County, MD, an event in a county park starts with a Park Reservation Request to Recreation and Parks at least 30 days ahead, with insurance naming the county. Park vendors file a vendor application, food vendors need a Health Department temporary food permit, and other vendors get a Comptroller temporary sales tax license.
Not shown, based on your answers: parks and public space, food vendors. See everything for St. Mary's County.
Event permit.
Park Reservation Request (special event in a county park)
The organizer submits the request online, in person or by mail; park operations contacts the organizer within 10 business days to discuss feasibility and fees. Required documents are due two weeks before the event, and the organizer must provide a liability insurance certificate naming the county as additional insured.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- St. Mary's County Recreation and Parks
- When
- Special events, including fairs, festivals, fundraisers and shows, held in county parks and facilities
- Fee
- $50 non-refundable application fee ($100 if received under 30 days ahead); park reservation fee $750 nonprofit or $800 commercial; staffing $24/hour/staff member
- Timing
- Application at least 30 days before the event; documents and fees at least two weeks before
Other rules.
Outdoor music festival site permit
State regulations require a permit at that size; the Environmental Health Division reviews the festival site plan and decides whether to issue it.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- St. Mary's County Health Department, Environmental Health
- When
- Outdoor music festivals expecting 1,000 or more spectators
Vendor and business licenses.
Trader's License (or Exhibitor's Affidavit at a show)
Maryland trader's licenses are issued by the county Circuit Court Clerk (St. Mary's County clerk: 301-475-7844) 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 St. Mary's 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.
- Park Reservation Request (special event in a county park): Application at least 30 days before the event; documents and fees at least two weeks before
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: St. Mary's County Recreation and Parks, 301-475-4200 ext. 1800. Full page and sources for St. Mary's County.
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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