City of Gainesville Vendor Requirements

Vendor Applications can be found on each individual event page. See all annual events here.

RETAIL VENDORS:

• • Business Occupation Tax Certificate (formerly known as a business license). The only exception to this rule is a vendor that is a non-profit 501c3.
    • This certificate is issued through your local city or county government, wherever your business address is listed. Here are two links for our local municipalities:
      • City of Gainesville: www.gainesville.org/193/Business-Tax-Licensing
      • Hall County: www.hallcounty.org/165/Business-Licenses

      FOOD VENDORS:

      • Business Occupation Tax Certificate (formerly known as a business license). The only exception to this rule is a vendor that is a non-profit 501c3.
      • This certificate is issued through your local city or county government, wherever your business address is listed. Here are two links for our local municipalities:
        • City of Gainesville: www.gainesville.org/193/Business-Tax-Licensing
        • Hall County: www.hallcounty.org/165/Business-Licenses

        ALCOHOL VENDORS (Gainesville Businesses Only):

        • It is a City of Gainesville ordinance (Sect 6-4-3) that you must have an alcohol license issued by the City of Gainesville to serve alcohol at an event within the city. Simply put- no alcohol vendors outside the city of Gainesville can sell alcohol at events.
        • Application for Authorized Catered Event, (no additional fee).
          • Once you are a licensed alcohol caterer, you must file a catering permit for EACH event. (Free, after paying for the catering license.)
          • For alcohol-licensed businesses located within the Downtown Dining District, citizens are allowed to have open-container alcohol in a clear plastic cup, up to 16 oz, taken off their premises outside on public property.
          • No more than two alcoholic beverages can be taken from the licensed premises at a time.
          • While public property including parks and sidewalks are included, the Downtown Dining District does not cover private property. While some businesses may allow open containers, it is up to each private property to decide.
          • The Downtown Dining District is in play from noon to midnight.
          • Bona fide non-profit charitable and civic organizations, colleges and universities desiring to sell alcoholic beverages may apply for a special temporary event permit authorizing the organization to sell or distribute alcoholic beverages for a period not to exceed three (3) days as provided in rules 560-2-11-.02 and 560-2-11-.03 of the rules and regulations of the state department of revenue as amended from time to time.

          ENTERTAINMENT VENDORS:

          • If the city is paying a vendor for entertainment or services, vendors must provide:
            • W9 Form
            • Certificate of Insurance stating the City of Gainesville as additionally insured.
              • City of Gainesville PO Box 2496 Gainesville, GA 30503

              Downtown Applications

              The Main Street Gainesville program focuses on promoting businesses with storefronts in the historic district. These businesses are given first opportunity for vendor spots at Main Street Gainesville hosted events. However, any spots not filled within a month of an event will be available to other vendors. Please refer to individual applications for details related to each event.

              Vendors wishing to take part in Downtown events must first complete the Vendor Application for their desired event. These forms DO NOT secure your spot at any event. It is solely a form for us to gather information.

              While payment information is listed on the application, please do not pay until you are a confirmed vendor. Vendor fees will not be refunded. Payments made to those not confirmed as vendors will either be donated to the program or could be allocated to an approved vendor spot in the future. Staff will reach out if interested in having you attend. Events are booked 1-6 months in advance.

              Lake Lanier Olympic Park

              Applications

              There are a limited number of events available each year and a limited number of vendor spaces as well. Vendors wishing to take part in Lake Lanier Olympic Park (LLOP) events must first complete the Vendor Application linked below.

              This form DOES NOT secure your spot at any events listed therein. It is solely a form for us to gather information. Vendors are booked for LLOP sponsored events per event and our staff will reach out if interested in having you attend. Events are booked 1-6 months in advance.