New to markets?
Start selling at LA markets
Food, clothing, crafts, art or anything else: here's exactly what you need, in order, with links to get it done.
What will you sell?
Pick what you'll sell above to see your step-by-step list.
Your market-day packing list
- 10×10 canopy (flame-retardant, CSFM label) and weights for every leg
- Folding table(s) and a tablecloth that reaches the ground
- A sign with your name, big enough to read from 20 feet
- Price tags or a menu board: people walk past booths without prices
- Card reader (charged!), phone battery pack, and a cash float
- Printed permits and insurance certificate (inspectors and organizers ask)
- Bags, napkins or packaging; trash bags; hand sanitizer
- Chair, water, sunscreen; lights and extension cord for night markets
- Clips, zip ties, tape and a small toolkit
Pricing & money basics
- Work out your cost per item (ingredients or materials, packaging, card fees) and price at least 2–3× that.
- Break-even check: booth fee ÷ profit per item = how many you must sell just to cover the booth. If that number looks scary, pick a cheaper market first.
- Round prices ($5, $10, $25) to make paying fast, and consider bundles (3 for $20).
- Set aside the sales tax you collect. It isn't your money.
- Track sales per market so you know which ones are worth going back to.
Picking your first markets
- Read vendor reviews on Stallpass: foot traffic, organization and "how sales went" tell you more than the market's own ads.
- Start with smaller, cheaper markets to test your setup and prices before paying for big events.
- Match the crowd: families and morning shoppers vs. night-market crowds vs. tourists.
- Visit as a shopper first if you can: how busy is it, what sells, who's nearby?
- Apply early: popular markets fill up weeks ahead, and many don't allow two vendors selling the same thing.
Common questions
Do I need all of this before my first market?
Most markets ask for a seller's permit, insurance and (for food) a health permit before you can set up. The business license and training are usually required too. Get them in the order above; many take only days.
How much does it cost to get started?
It varies a lot. Non-food sellers can often start for a few hundred dollars (insurance, canopy, weights, card reader). Food adds kitchen rental, health permits and equipment. The shared kitchens and insurance listed here show typical prices.
What's a certificate of insurance (COI)?
A one-page document from your insurer proving you're covered. Markets usually want their name on it as "additional insured". Upload it to Documents so it's ready for every application.
Can I sell at markets in other cities?
Yes. Your seller's permit covers all of California. Health permits depend on the city or county where the event is, and some cities have their own business rules. Check each market's requirements on Stallpass before applying.
Ready?
Join free: keep your permits in one place, get reminders before they expire, and apply to markets in a couple of taps.
Join freeGeneral information for the LA area, not legal advice. Rules differ by city and change, so confirm with the agency before you apply. Stallpass doesn't endorse listed businesses; partners are labeled.