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. Petersburg, FL.
To run a vendor market in St. Petersburg, the organizer files a Temporary Special Event Permit at the city's Zoning Counter, plus a Police street closure permit ($30 per roadway) if a street closes. Vendors pay a $25 city business tax for events under 30 days and register for Florida sales tax; food vendors need DBPR.
Not shown, based on your answers: parks and public space, food vendors. See everything for St. Petersburg.
Event permit.
Temporary Special Event Permit
The application is submitted in person at the Zoning Counter in the Municipal Services Building. It requires a site plan showing booths and tents, trash, stages, restrooms, food and beverage stations, entrances and ADA access, and flags alcohol sales and street closures for extra approvals.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- City of St. Petersburg Planning & Zoning (Zoning Counter)
- When
- One-, two- or three-day temporary events in a public park, or on private property indoors or outdoors
Other rules.
Liquor liability insurance for alcohol at street closures
Proof of liquor liability insurance is required, and alcohol at the closure may require hiring off-duty police officers. The Temporary Special Event Permit form adds that outdoor alcohol sales require City police officers to be arranged before approval.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- St. Petersburg Police Department, Special Events Unit
- When
- Alcohol sold or served at an event with a street closure
Vendor and business licenses.
St. Petersburg Business Tax Receipt (Flat25 for 30 days or less)
The business tax page lists a Flat25 class used for temporary special events lasting under 30 days, taxed at $25.00, and a 'Merchants for 30 Days or Less' category. Mobile vending applications are handled separately (see notes).
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- City of St. Petersburg Business Tax
- When
- Businesses and individuals accepting compensation for merchandise or services within city limits; mobile and temporary businesses need a St. Petersburg receipt regardless of business address
- Fee
- $25.00 for temporary special events lasting less than 30 days (Flat25)
Sales tax.
Sales and use tax dealer registration
Vendors who sell taxable goods or services must register with the state as a sales and use tax dealer to collect, report and remit tax. Registration must be done before starting business, and the page does not describe a separate temporary or special-event registration.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- Florida Department of Revenue
- When
- Any vendor selling taxable goods or services in Florida, including at markets and events
- Timing
- Register before you begin conducting business in Florida
What the rules ask of you about vendors.
Florida's Department of Revenue says anyone selling taxable goods at a flea market must be registered as a sales tax dealer and collect and remit tax directly. Under that notice, market operators keep collecting tax on space rentals but are no longer required or authorized to remit vendors' sales tax. Official page
When to apply.
- Sales and use tax dealer registration: Register before you begin conducting business in Florida
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: Zoning Counter, Municipal Services Building, One 4th Street North; Police Special Events Unit 727-893-7154. Full page and sources for St. Petersburg.
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.