Event Planning Permit Requirements in Burlington, VT

1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

   Required if operating as a business entity (LLC or corporation) or if you have employees. Free from the IRS. You will need an EIN to open a business bank account and sign vendor contracts professionally.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online application)

   Free

   Immediate (online application)

1. Vermont Business Registration

   Event planning businesses operating in Vermont must file with the Vermont Secretary of State if operating as an LLC, corporation, or partnership. Sole proprietors using a trade name must file an Assumed Business Name (DBA) registration with the Secretary of State — Vermont has no county-clerk filing option — and renew it every five years. An LLC provides personal liability protection, which is especially important when coordinating large events.

   Official government source

   $155 (LLC Articles of Organization or corporate Articles of Incorporation) or $70 (Assumed Business Name)·Under 1 business day online; 7–10 business days by mail

   $155 (LLC Articles of Organization or corporate Articles of Incorporation) or $70 (Assumed Business Name)

   Under 1 business day online; 7–10 business days by mail

2. Vermont Sales and Use Tax Account (if selling taxable goods)

   Event planning and coordination services are generally not subject to Vermont sales tax, but if your business also sells taxable items — event supplies, decorations, floral arrangements, rentals, or other tangible goods — you must register a Sales and Use Tax account with the Vermont Department of Taxes (the state's tax agency is the Department of Taxes, not a 'Department of Revenue') and collect and remit the tax. Register through myVTax; the account does not have to be renewed.

   Official government source

   Free — the Vermont Department of Taxes charges no fee to register a business tax account·Register online through myVTax; registration is completed in the same session.

   Free — the Vermont Department of Taxes charges no fee to register a business tax account

   Register online through myVTax; registration is completed in the same session.

1. Burlington Business Licence (not required for event planning)

   Burlington's Clerk/Treasurer's Office does not issue a general business licence. It licenses only four categories: cannabis, liquor, peddler, and taxi. An event planning business falls into none of them and needs no City of Burlington business licence or annual renewal. If you work from home, Burlington's zoning ordinance §5.4.6 requires the Administrative Officer's approval of the home occupation — administrative approval is available for low-impact office uses with no clients on the premises and no signage; anything else needs conditional use review by the Development Review Board.

   Official government source

   $0 for a business licence. Home occupation approval is a zoning permit: $15 filing fee plus $107; conditional use review, where required, adds $195.·N/A for a business licence. The City publishes no processing time for administrative zoning approvals.

   $0 for a business licence. Home occupation approval is a zoning permit: $15 filing fee plus $107; conditional use review, where required, adds $195.

   N/A for a business licence. The City publishes no processing time for administrative zoning approvals.

2. Burlington Special Use Permit / Park Permit (for events in public spaces)

   Events in Burlington's public parks and waterfront are permitted by Parks, Recreation & Waterfront. A general park permit covers gatherings of 20 to 99 people but grants no exclusive use and allows no amplified sound or vendors. A Special Use Permit is required if the event is open to the public, exceeds 99 people, needs exclusive use of a park area, involves amplified sound or vendors, recurs, charges a fee, or is commercial or fund-raising. Street and right-of-way closures are handled separately by the City. As the event planner you may obtain these on your client's behalf.

   Official government source

   General park permit: $30 (20–39 people), $55 (40–59), $80 (60–79), $110 (80–99). Picnic shelters $210 half day / $305 full day. Special Use Permit fees are set case by case — call 802-864-0123.·Special Use Permits must be approved by the Parks, Recreation and Waterfront Commission at least one month before the event date; the Commission meets the second Tuesday of every month except July.

   General park permit: $30 (20–39 people), $55 (40–59), $80 (60–79), $110 (80–99). Picnic shelters $210 half day / $305 full day. Special Use Permit fees are set case by case — call 802-864-0123.

   Special Use Permits must be approved by the Parks, Recreation and Waterfront Commission at least one month before the event date; the Commission meets the second Tuesday of every month except July.

3. Burlington Special Event / Temporary Use Permit (no county permit exists)

   There is no Chittenden County permitting department — Vermont counties operate no executive agencies, and every acre of Chittenden County lies within an incorporated city or town, so no land falls under county jurisdiction. Events in Burlington are governed by the City: park and street events go through the City's event permitting process, and temporary or special uses on private property are governed by the Comprehensive Development Ordinance and administered by the Department of Permitting & Inspections. Confirm which applies with the City rather than any county office.

   Official government source

   $0 for the county permit, which does not exist; City of Burlington event and temporary-use fees depend on which city process applies·N/A for any county permit; apply to the City of Burlington well ahead of the event date

   $0 for the county permit, which does not exist; City of Burlington event and temporary-use fees depend on which city process applies

   N/A for any county permit; apply to the City of Burlington well ahead of the event date

Official Sources

• Burlington Business Licensing
• Vermont Secretary of State — Business Registration
• IRS EIN Application

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