Event Vendor Requirements by State

Welcome to The Festivals, Carnivals and Events State Requirements page.

One of the most difficult questions I asked as I was working out the entire framework for my business was "What are the requirements that must be met for an individual or company to participate in a temporary event as a vendor?". I use the word "temporary" on purpose as it was the one search term I did not use as I tried to find out. Here in Florida, there are two different governmental departments responsible for this kind of permitting. Initially I thought I was doing all the right things. I spoke directly with a government representative who assured me I was on the right track. Then, I set out to meet the requirements. However, prior to applying for a license, I visited a local arts festival and photographed all of the vendor booths looking for ideas on efficient booth component design and set up. I noted that at least one crucial requirement was not being met by any of the vendors at that event. I called the particular government department back and asked a question concerning my interpretation of one of the requirements to insure I would not get my application rejected. I was informed by another representative of said government department that I was misinformed. What I wanted to do required similar but different permitting. I am building this page to assist anyone wishing to participate as a vendor of our products. I would save them from the lost time and energy of applying for the wrong license. Currently, only the state of Florida information is availble. Scroll the page or use the "State Selector" below to view the information. Give us a call or send us a message if you have questions or find an error in our information.

Thanks!

Here is the legal part: Last Resort Services Inc. and its associated companies and employees provides this information to help prospective vendors get some idea of the licensing requirements and should not be considered an "authoritative" source. Things change and we might not get the latest and greatest information posted before you read this page. We will not be held responsible for any real or imagined loss due to errors or omissions concerning the information provided. Always follow up with the state agency responsible for licensing.

ALASKA

Currently no information for this state.

ALABAMA

Currently no information for this state.

ARIZONA

Currently no information for this state.

ARKANSAS

Currently no information for this state.

CALIFORNIA

Currently no information for this state.

COLORADO

Currently no information for this state.

CONNECTICUT

Currently no information for this state.

DELAWARE

Currently no information for this state.

FLORIDA

A temporary food service event is an event of 30 days or less, advertised & recognized in the community, where food is prepared, served or sold to the public. Farmer’s markets, fairs, festivals, carnivals, sporting events, etc. and festivities such as St. Patrick’s Day or Cinco de Mayo may be considered temporary events. A temporary event license permits the holder to operate at temporary events only.

There is no application to obtain a temporary event food service license. Temporary event licenses are issued on-site the day of the event after a satisfactory inspection, all paperwork is completed onsite by our staff and license fees are paid to the inspector by cashier’s check or money order. A temporary event license would be required for each event you participate in, unless an annual temporary event license is obtained. An annual temporary event license for $456, would license you to operate at any temporary event within the State of Florida without any additional fees owed to DBPR (fees may be required by event coordinators or the city or county). Please keep in mind, event days on a 1-3 day or 4-30 day license must be consecutive; a license for 4-30 days is for an event lasting between 4-30 consecutive days like a state or county fair, it does not permit the holder to operate at multiple events during a 4-30 day period.

Food items for temporary events must be made either onsite at the event or at an approved licensed commercial kitchen facility. You may not prepare or store foods within a private home. Food handler and food manager certification is not required to obtain any temporary event license.

For reference click here to download the "Guide to Temporary Food Service Events, and here for the Temporary Event Checklist. Additionally, you can click here to go directly to the Florida DBPR information pages concerning temporary events. If you are interested in obtaining a temporary event license, please send an email to Info.DHR@myfloridalicense.com with your name & phone number, as well as the date, name and location address of your scheduled event. An inspector call you to schedule an inspection. Notice of at least 3-4 days is required prior to the event.

You can contact the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation Customer Service at:(850) 487-1395.

GEORGIA

Currently no information for this state.

HAWAII

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IDAHO

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ILLINOIS

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INDIANA

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IOWA

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KANSAS

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KENTUCKY

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LOUISIANA

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MAINE

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MARYLAND

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MASSACHUSETTS

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MICHIGAN

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MINNESOTA

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MISSISSIPPI

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MISSOURI

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MONTANA

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NEBRASKA

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NEVADA

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NEW HAMPSHIRE

Currently no information for this state.

NEW JERSEY

Currently no information for this state.

NEW MEXICO

Currently no information for this state.

NEW YORK

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NORTH CAROLINA

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NORTH DAKOTA

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OHIO

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OKLAHOMA

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OREGON

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PENNSYLVANIA

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RHODE ISLAND

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SOUTH CAROLINA

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SOUTH DAKOTA

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TENNESSEE

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TEXAS

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UTAH

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VERMONT

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VIRGINIA

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WASHINGTON

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WEST VIRGINIA

Currently no information for this state.

WISCONSIN

Currently no information for this state.

WYOMING

Currently no information for this state.