Vendor - Sidewalk Business

All non-permanent or transient businesses must meet the criteria of a Vehicle, Sidewalk, Itinerant, or Festival Vendor. If your business DOES NOT fall within this criteria, your business is PROHIBITED.

Requirements are as follows:

• This vendor must remain on SIDEWALK OR PUBLIC RIGHT OF WAY in a vending area deemed by the ordinance numbers (65061, 65347, 66860).
• All vendors in "Downtown Vending District" will also be required to obtain a permit from the City of St. Louis Street Department (314-647-3111).
• All vendors in "South Downtown Vending District" will also be required to obtain a permit from the South Downtown Project Area Coordinator.
• ·All vendors in "Wharf Vending District" must apply for and obtain a permit to operate a vending business in the Wharf Vending District prior to obtaining a vendor’s license from the License Collector. Wharf Vending District permits shall be issued by the Director of Streets. (314-647-3111)
• All vendors in "City Park Vending District" will also be required to obtain a permit from the City of St. Louis Parks Department (314-289-5310)

Step 1: Obtain State Sales Tax Number

Step 2

Apply and pay for a Sidewalk Vendor License. Your license will be issued after all the necessary requirements are met.

Vendor is required to register with the License Collectors Office BEFORE applying for a health permit.

Cost is $200.00 per calendar year. Payment must be in cash, money order or cashier's check ONLY.

A passport photo is required in order for us to issue your Sidewalk Vendor badge. 

Download and complete the sidewalk vendor application.

Step 3: Obtain Statement of Clearance

In addition to visiting the License Collector’s office, you will also need to obtain a clearance from the Collector of Revenue’s office at the location below:

City Hall Room 410
1200 Market St.
St. Louis, MO 63103
(314) 622-3291

St. Louis City Ordinance 63454
St. Louis City Revised Code Chapter 8.02.010 - Statement of Clearance requirement

Step 4: Obtain Health Permit

The Health Department will require a copy of your paid receipt for a Sidewalk Vendors' License before a health application can be accepted.

Cost: $160.00 application fee (Additional fees may apply)

All fees must be paid with a business check or money order.

Health Department
City of St. Louis
1520 Market St.
Saint Louis, MO 63103
(314) 657-1539

Step 5: Obtain Fire Permit

If propane is being used, you must obtain a Fire Permit.

Cost: $20.00

Fire Prevention Bureau
1421 N. Jefferson
Saint Louis, MO 63103
(314) 289-1900

You must provide a current insurance policy with the following coverage for each vehicle used in the operation of the vending business:

1. 25,000 Individual
2. 50,000 Multiple Injury
3. 10,000 Property

Step 6: Obtain Sidewalk Vendor License

After receiving all of the above required permits, you will need to return to the License Collector's Office for your license to be issued.

Once all clearances and payments are received, you will be able to obtain your license to do business in the City of St. Louis.

If you pay by check, the license application may be held for several working days until the check clears.

A separate Business License is required for each business location or trade name (St. Louis City Ordinance 52030).

Please visit our general information page to get more important information that you will need to know before obtaining your business license.

For more information about the License Collector's Office other resources and services, please visit our office home page. Once you are there, you will find a list of links to the various other resources and services provided by our office.