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. Paul, MN.
To run a vendor market in St. Paul, the organizer needs a special event permit from the Police Department's Special Operations Unit when streets are affected, or a Parks and Recreation permit on park land. Sellers need Minnesota sales tax registration and, depending on the market, a city license. Food vendors need a Minnesota Department of Health food stand license.
Not shown, based on your answers: parks and public space, fire safety, tents and cooking, food vendors. See everything for St. Paul.
Event permit.
Special event permit (events affecting city streets)
The Special Operations Unit runs the application and approval process for events that affect streets, with a city permit committee review for new and larger events. Applicants must carry liability insurance naming the city as additional insured ($300,000 per person claim and $1,000,000 aggregate); residential block parties are exempt from insurance.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- Saint Paul Police Department, Special Operations Unit
- When
- Block parties, festivals, parades, races and other public gatherings on city streets. Events held only on park land are permitted by Parks and Recreation instead.
- Fee
- 2025 schedule: residential block club party $50; community festival $50; parade $200; general block party or athletic event $200 (under 1,000 attendees) up to $500 (over 7,500); plus any police services fee; late fee $25 per business day
- Timing
- At least 60 days for new events and 90 days for recurring events (police page); the 2025 guidebook says 60 days for all events except residential block parties (30 days)
Other rules.
Sound level variance
A sound level variance needs a City Council public hearing and takes 45 to 60 days, so it must be submitted at least 45 days before the last hearing date, not before the event.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- Saint Paul Department of Safety and Inspections (DSI)
- When
- Events with speakers, a DJ, music or any other sound amplification.
Vendor and business licenses.
Peddler license
Applicants must be 18 or older, show Minnesota Secretary of State registration and assumed name filing (or a signed statement) and a workers' compensation certificate, and visit DSI in person for a photo ID badge. The license lasts one year. The page does not say whether craft vendors at a temporary private market need one, so confirm with DSI.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- Saint Paul Department of Safety and Inspections (DSI)
- When
- Selling goods from a location without a permanent storefront in Saint Paul, including selling event tickets. Public market vendors and sellers of farm or garden products are exempt.
- Fee
- $85
Second hand dealer - exhibition license
Applicants provide a $5,000 surety bond, workers' compensation documentation and site and floor plans, and need inspection approval from Licensing before the event. The license is valid only for the scheduled event dates. The page does not say whether the market operator or each seller holds it.
- Who
- Organizer and vendors
- From
- Saint Paul Department of Safety and Inspections (DSI)
- When
- An exhibition, convention, show or exposition of secondhand goods or antiques lasting no more than five consecutive calendar days. A single location may hold at most 12 per year.
- Fee
- $210
Sales tax.
Minnesota sales tax registration and Operator Certificate of Compliance (ST19)
Sellers must be registered to collect Minnesota sales tax and any local taxes before the event starts. Certain individuals who sell at one event per year of no more than three days with $500 or less in sales can skip registration by giving the operator a written statement. Booth space rentals are not taxable; admission to selling events is not taxable.
- Who
- Organizer and vendors
- From
- Minnesota Department of Revenue
- When
- Anyone, including promoters and operators, making taxable sales at a flea market, craft show, antique show, county fair or similar event.
- Timing
- Register before the event begins
What the rules ask of you about vendors.
Minnesota law says that before an operator of a craft show, art fair, flea market or similar event rents space to a seller, the operator must have proof the seller is registered for Minnesota sales tax, or a written statement that no taxable items are sold or that the seller qualifies for the isolated and occasional exemption. Sellers use Form ST19 (Operator Certificate of Compliance). Operators keep the forms for at least three and a half years and can be fined $100 per noncompliant seller per day. Official page
When to apply.
- Special event permit (events affecting city streets): At least 60 days for new events and 90 days for recurring events (police page); the 2025 guidebook says 60 days for all events except residential block parties (30 days)
- Minnesota sales tax registration and Operator Certificate of Compliance (ST19): Register before the event begins
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: Saint Paul Police Special Operations Unit, 651-266-5479, sppd-specialevents@ci.stpaul.mn.us; Department of Safety and Inspections, 651-266-8989. Full page and sources for St. Paul.
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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