Getting Vendor Licenses - Black Hills & Sturgis Motorcycle Rally
We get asked this question a lot! How do I setup a Booth at the Sturgis Rally?
First: There is no ‘Entrance Gate’ to the Sturgis Rally. It’s more like Mardi Gras as there are ‘Events’ happening everywhere throughout the Black Hills.
Second: ‘The Courts have stated that the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is a pluralistic endeavor promoted by multiple organizations.’ This Rally is Owned By The People, you can setup shop where you want (there are lots of places for rent) and sell what you want (within SD State/County/City laws) and you don’t need a ‘Special Rally Permit’, you simply need to be licensed for where ever you do business, as any legal business must do.
Today, there are Sturgis Rally events from the Northern Black Hills to the Southern Black Hills. Once you have determined where your Vending spot will be, then you’ll know which licensing you will need. Last update 09-18-2024
Here is Our Answer:
If you’ve not been to the Sturgis Rally before, plan to attend at least once to see how it’s all laid out. There is NO Entrance Gate, NO Entrance Fee. It’s an open atmosphere, where anyone with the Correct Licensing can setup shop and participate in the rally!
> You need the proper licenses
> You need to rent a space
> You need to be prepared with tents, awnings and everything else you’ll need to set up a sales booth.
>There is no ‘Central Rally’ control or figure-head.
The Rally is more than just the city of Sturgis putting on a Sidewalk Exhibition. The Rally spreads out to wherever the people spread out to. The Rally includes ALL of the Black Hills, and its greater regions.
>> Meaning you can rent a booth-site anywhere you find agreeable space, anywhere within the greater Black Hills regions. The closer you get to downtown Sturgis, the higher the Booth sites get!
*THEREFORE, find your space, and you’ll know what licenses you need to apply for.
Getting Licensed – for the 2025, 85th Sturgis Rally & Black Hills Rally
START HERE
>>> https://dor.sd.gov/businesses/sturgis-motorcycle-rally/
a) SD Dept of Health (if you are vending food/edibles)
>>> https://doh.sd.gov/food/restaurants-lodging/temporary.aspx
b) Application for Temporary Manufacturer, Customizer, or Dealer Permit
>>> https://doh.sd.gov/businesses/sturgis-motorcycle-rally
>>> https://dorresources.sd.gov/f/SturgisRallyApp 3. If you vend inside the City of Sturgis you will need a City License
>>> https://sturgismotorcyclerally.com/get-license/
4. If you are not vending within the City of Sturgis
>>> Contact the links below for specific vendor laws and regulations by region or town.
>>> https://www.MeadeCounty.org
> General Information: https://www.Meadecounty.org/rally
> Application for Meade County Vendor’s License: https://www.meadecounty.org/application-for-vendor-license
Cities: Sturgis, Piedmont, Summerset
City of Sturgis: (Required only if you’re vending inside the city of Sturgis)
> https://sturgismotorcyclerally.com/get-license/
> City of Piedmont http://www.PiedmontSD.com
> http://www.piedmontsd.com/ordinances.html
> City of Summerset https://www.Summerset.us/
> https://nebula.wsimg.com/61c796bc8a11411e2255903884b80ee8?AccessKeyId=1827892A2DC3F5DD9B4B&disposition=0&alloworigin=1
Pennington County does not require a special license for a temporary vendor, but you still must have a SD Temporary Vendor’s License and SD Tax ID and all other SD requirements for your business. Certain businesses may still require county inspection and licensing, such as food and tattoo vendors. Consult their website above for more information.
Cities: Rapid City, Hill City, Keystone, Box Elder, New Underwood, Wall
City of Rapid City https://www.rcgov.org/
> Sidewalk Vending License https://www.rcgov.org/index.php?option=com_docman&view=download&alias=296-finance-sidewalk-vending-license&category_slug=finance-department&Itemid=149
City of Hill City https://www.hillcitysd.com
> https://www.hillcitysd.com/city-government/municipal-code/
> https://www.hillcitysd.com/assets/docs/uploads/City-Ordinances/Title-3-Updated-03-14-14.pdf
> City of Keystone:
> https://keystonesd.govoffice3.com/index.asp?SEC=15CA23AB-BD12-409B-BB4F-25DD6C265FE7&Type=B_LIST
> City of Box Elder: https://www.boxelder.us
> https://www.boxelder.us/documents/list/ordinances
> City of New Underwood: https://www.newunderwood.com
> https://www.newunderwood.com/index.asp?SEC=DA3A2D89-5B98-47BF-AAF1-B840757167E6&Type=B_BASIC
> City of Wall: https://www.wallsd.us
> https://www.wallsd.us/ordinances
Fall River County does not require a special license for a temporary vendor, but you still must have a SD Temporary Vendor’s License and SD Tax ID and all other SD requirements for your business. Certain businesses may still require county inspection and licensing, such as food and tattoo vendors. Consult their website above for more information.
Cities: Hot Springs, Edgemont
City of Hot Springs http://www.hs-sd.org
> https://www.hs-sd.org/city-government-information/peddlers-solicitors/
City of Edgemont: http://edgemont.info/
Lawrence County does not require a special license for a temporary vendor, but you still must have a SD Temporary Vendor’s License and SD Tax ID and all other SD requirements for your business. Certain businesses may still require county inspection and licensing, such as food and tattoo vendors. Consult their website above for more information.
Cities: Spearfish, Whitewood, Deadwood, Lead
City of Spearfish: https://www.cityofspearfish.com/
> http://www.amlegal.com/codes/client/spearfish_sd/
City of Whitewood: https://www.cityofwhitewood.net/
> https://www.cityofwhitewood.net/city-ordinance-1
City of Deadwood: https://www.cityofdeadwood.com/
> https://www.cityofdeadwood.com/planning/page/planning-and-zoning-applications-and-forms
City of Lead: http://cityoflead.com/
> http://www.amlegal.com/codes/client/lead_sd/
Butte County does not require a special license for a temporary vendor, but you still must have a SD Temporary Vendor’s License and SD Tax ID and all other SD requirements for your business. Certain businesses may still require county inspection and licensing, such as food and tattoo vendors. Consult their website above for more information.
Cities: Belle Fourche, Newell
City of Belle Fourche: https://www.bellefourche.org/
> https://library.municode.com/sd/belle_fourche/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TIT17PLZO_DIVIGEZO_CH17.18TEUSPE_17.18.010OUPUGA
City of Newell: http://townofnewell.org/
> http://townofnewell.org/images/TONOrdinances.pdf
> https://library.municode.com/sd/belle_fourche/codes/code_of_ordinances
Custer County does not require a special license for a temporary vendor, but you still must have a SD Temporary Vendor’s License and SD Tax ID and all other SD requirements for your business. Certain businesses may still require county inspection and licensing, such as food and tattoo vendors. Consult their website above for more information.
Cities: Custer, Hermosa
City of Custer
General Information 605-673-4824
> https://custer.govoffice.com/ordinances
City of Hermosa https://www.hermosasd.com/
> https://www.hermosasd.com/index.asp?SEC=63E85A12-D384-42BE-801C-C72E9ACD320E&Type=B_BASIC
> http://wyomingbusiness.org/content/licensing-and-permitting
> http://wyagric.state.wy.us/divisions/chs
Crook County: http://www.CrookCounty.WY.gov/
Crook County does not require a special license for a temporary vendor, but you still must have a SD Temporary Vendor’s License and WY Tax ID and all other WY requirements for your business. Certain businesses may still require county inspection and licensing, such as food and tattoo vendors. Consult their website above for more information.
Cities: Sundance, Hulett, Moorcroft
City of Sundance http://www.cityofsundancewy.com
> http://www.cityofsundancewy.com/city-ordinances.htm
> http://media.rainpos.com/00116201010130122306240.pdf
> https://media.rainpos.com/116/signed_ordinance_4_2016.pdf
City of Hulett > http://townofhulettwy.com/
City of Moorcroft > http://townofmoorcroft.com/
Weston County does not require a special license for a temporary vendor, but you still must have a SD Temporary Vendor’s License and WY Tax ID and all other WY requirements for your business. Certain businesses may still require county inspection and licensing, such as food and tattoo vendors. Consult their website above for more information.
Cities: Newcastle
City of Custer
> http://www.newcastlewyoming.org/
> http://www.newcastlewyo.com/
