Vendor Application

The vendor application applies to four different types of licenses, each with their own set of prerequisites.

After completing your online application, a background check is required which must be conducted in person for fingerprinting at City Hall. Fingerprinting must be completed before your license will be processed.

Fingerprint Scheduling

This Application Applies To

Temporary Merchant

City Code defines a Temporary Merchant as "any person, whether owner or otherwise, whether a resident of the City or not, who engages in a temporary business of selling and delivering goods, wares, merchandise and services within the City, and who, in furtherance of such purpose, hires, leases, uses or occupies any building, structure or motor vehicle within the City for the exhibition and sale of food, beverages, goods, merchandise or services.

Vendor

City Code defines street vending as "the peddling, vending, selling, displaying, or offering for sale of any item of tangible personal property or other thing of value from a mobile vending trailer or vehicle situated on the public rights-of-ways between the curb lines by a vendor to persons on the sidewalk."

Solicitors

City Code defines a solicitor as "an individual, including an employee or agent of a group of individuals, partnership, or corporation, whether a resident of the City or not, who is taking or attempting to take, whether in person or by telephone, orders for sale of food, beverages, goods, merchandise or services to be furnished or performed in the future, whether he is collecting advance payments on such sales or not."

Application Prerequisites

Each license requires a specific set of prerequisites in order for the application to be considered complete.

Temporary Merchant Prerequisites

Temporary Merchants applying for an annual or semi-annual license must have the following pre-requisites (if applicable) when they apply:

Cash or Surety Bond in the amount of $1,000.00 per person or $5,000.00 per company.
All out-of-state applicants must provide a copy of their Driver's License or State Identification Card
A $125 Clean-up Bond must be submitted with applications for Temporary Merchants operating Christmas Tree Lots, Fruit and Vegetable Stands, Rug Sales, Picture Sales, etc.
If selling food items, you must contact the Central District Health Department for a Health Certificate. You must bring your Health Certificate with you and apply for an Food and Beverage License at the same time you apply for your Temporary Merchants License.
If you operate a Christmas Tree Lot (11/23-1/1), Fruit and Vegetable Stand or other type of stand on a private lot, you must secure a Seasonal Use Zoning Certificate from Planning and Development Services. Call (208) 608-7100 for information.
If you want your operation in the Boise City parks or greenbelt, contact Parks and Recreation Department at (208) 608-7600.
If you operate on any public roads, sidewalks or rights-of way, you and your customers may not block pedestrian or vehicular traffic. If you have questions, please contact the Ada County Highway District at (208) 387-6100.

Vendor Prerequisites

Food trucks and mobile vendor carts also require an Eating and Drinking Mobile License.
All sidewalk vendors must use approved vending carts as specified by the City Clerk's Office.
Street vending carts within the Downtown Boise core area must be placed over authorized street vending medallions. For information on medallion locations, please contact the City Clerk's Office at (208) 972-8150.
City Code defines street vending as "the peddling, vending, selling, displaying, or offering for sale of any item of tangible personal property or other thing of value from a mobile vending trailer or vehicle situated on the public rights-of-ways between the curb lines by a vendor to persons on the sidewalk."
Cash or Surety Bond in the amount of $1,000.00 per person or $5,000.00 per company.

Solicitor Prerequisites

Cash or Surety Bond in the amount of $1,000.00 per person or $5,000.00 per company.
All out-of-state applicants must provide a copy of their Driver's License or State Identification Card

Application

The City of Boise now allows you to apply for your license online. First time users of this system will be required to set up an account.

Once you log in, click "Apply > License" from the top menu. Select Vendor Application from the license menu.

Note: your application is incomplete until you have completed a background check and fingerprinting, which is conducted in person at City Hall.

Send a Message to City Clerk

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