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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Permits for your market in Washington County, MD.
In Washington County, MD, an event in a county park needs a Special Event Permit from Parks and Recreation, applied for three to six months ahead with insurance naming the county. Food vendors need a $25 temporary food license from the Washington County Health Department, and vendors without a permanent account get a Comptroller temporary sales tax license.
Not shown, based on your answers: fire safety, tents and cooking, food vendors. See everything for Washington County.
Event permit.
Special Event Permit (county parks)
The organizer submits the special event application with a site plan showing toilets, dumpsters, overflow parking and vendor spaces, and an Event Review Committee decides. The organizer must provide a certificate of insurance naming the Board of County Commissioners as additional insured, and vendors must hold and display their required permits on site. Tents over 12 by 12 feet and inflatables need permits.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- Washington County Parks and Recreation
- When
- Events in county parks that are advertised publicly, affect routine park use or traffic, or use amplified sound. Vendor sales and fundraising in county parks also need prior approval and a permit.
- Fee
- $50 application fee, credited toward event fees that depend on the size of the event
- Timing
- Submit at least three months but no more than six months before the event; all fees paid at least 30 days before
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 (Washington County clerk: 301-733-8660; 301-790-7991 ext. 1 for license questions) 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 Washington 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). The Washington clerk also issues Foot Peddler and Motor Vehicle Peddler licenses; the clerk's page does not say whether market vendors need one.
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.
- Special Event Permit (county parks): Submit at least three months but no more than six months before the event; all fees paid at least 30 days 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: Washington County Parks and Recreation, 240-313-2700. Full page and sources for Washington 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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