How to start a farmers market in Arizona

The permits, paperwork and choices behind a new market, using Phoenix and Maricopa County as the example.

Updated Nov 5, 2026

Every city and county has its own rules. This guide uses the City of Phoenix and Maricopa County. Elsewhere, start with your city's special events office and your county health department.

1. Pick the place

A city park or street. In Phoenix, events on city property need the Parks Department's special event application, and the park has to be reserved.
A parking lot or other private land. In Phoenix you need zoning approval through an Administrative Temporary Use Permit (ATUP), plus the owner's OK.
Big crowds need a fire permit. Phoenix requires a Public Outdoor Assembly Permit when 500 or more people are expected, or 50 or more inside barricades or fencing. Tents over 800 square feet or canopies over 1,200 square feet need their own permit.

2. Get the county food permit

The market needs a coordinator permit. Maricopa County Environmental Services issues a Farmers Market Coordinator permit through its Permit Center.
Food vendors need their own permits. Vendors selling open or perishable food need a county mobile food or caterer permit. The county doesn't issue temporary permits for farmers markets.
Some vendors don't need a county permit. Under the county's event guidelines: whole, uncut produce; packaged foods that don't need to stay cold or hot; and registered cottage food vendors.

3. Sort out sales tax and insurance

Decide how TPT works at your market. A market can hold the TPT license and pay sales tax for its vendors, but only with a central cash register. Otherwise each vendor needs its own license. Either way, ADOR says organizers keep a list of vendors for each event. See do I need a TPT license?
Ask about insurance. Ask the landowner or city what liability insurance they require. Many markets also ask vendors for proof of theirs (see getting accepted at a market).

4. Set your vendor rules

Write them down. What you allow, booth fees, setup and teardown times, tent weights, and what happens in bad weather. Put them on your application.
Plan your mix. Balance produce, food and crafts so vendors aren't competing with five booths just like theirs.

What to look out for

Start early. Permits can take weeks. Call the city and county before you set a date.

Summer. Plan earlier hours, shade and a weather plan for monsoon season (June 15 to September 30).

Questions about food permits: Maricopa County Environmental Services, 602-506-6824.

Give your market a page on Booth Barn

Post your market days, show shoppers which vendors are coming, and keep your vendor list in one place. Take applications with one link, draw your booth map, and show vendors your own Venmo or PayPal so booth fees go straight to you.

Start your market's page

Sources

This guide is general information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change, so check with the office above for your situation.

More guides

What to bring to a farmers marketA short list so you're not caught without cash, a bag or water.Your first farmers market booth: a checklistWhat new vendors need before market day, and what's easy to forget.How to spot a fake vendor event before you payThe warning signs, and how to check a market in five minutes.Do I need a TPT license to sell at an Arizona market?Arizona's sales tax for vendors, and when the market can handle it for you.

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