Vendor Requirements

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.
  • Vendor Application and Fee: Every city-sponsored event has a vendor application and potentially- a vendor fee.  To see a list of city-sponsored events, visit: exploregainesville.org/annual-events/

 

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:
  • Certificate of Insurance stating the City of Gainesville as additionally insured for at least 1 million and lists the mailing address for the city, as follows: City of Gainesville, PO Box 2496, Gainesville, GA 30503.
  • Your last Food Inspection Form, valid for the current year and visibly displayed at vendor set up.
  • Vendor Application and Fee: Every city-sponsored event has a vendor application and potentially- a vendor fee.  To see a list of city-sponsored events, visit: exploregainesville.org/annual-events/

 

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.)
  • Downtown Dining District:  Ordinance Code (Sect 6-4-87)
    • 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.
  • Non-Profit Special Temporary Event Permit: (Sec. 6-4-100)
    • 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
    • Contract stating entertainment arrangements.

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