Stark County Vendor’s License: Who Needs One and How to Apply

Who needs a vendor’s license in Stark County, what it costs, how to apply, and when you need the state’s transient license instead.

By the Stark Auditor Guide teamLast verified Sep 27, 20265 min read

Quick answer

A business that makes taxable retail sales from a fixed location in Stark County needs a vendor’s license from the Stark County Auditor. It costs $50 for each fixed place of business, there’s no yearly renewal fee, and you apply on the county’s form or online through the Ohio Business Gateway. If you sell at fairs, festivals or events without a fixed location in the county, you need a transient vendor’s license from the State of Ohio instead. Questions: (330) 451-7354.

Vendor’s licenses at a glance
License	For	Issued by	Fee
Regular (county) vendor’s license	Selling at a fixed place of business in the county	Stark County Auditor	$50 per location
Transient vendor’s license	Selling at temporary locations, such as shows, fairs and events	State of Ohio (Ohio Department of Taxation)	$50

Sources: Stark County Auditor, Vendor Licenses and Ohio Revised Code 5739.17, checked Sep 27, 2026. The county lists no annual renewal fee.

Official county page

Apply for a Stark County vendor’s license

The Auditor’s page has the Application for Vendor’s License to Make Taxable Sales, and links to the Ohio Business Gateway for applying online. Opens in a new tab.

County vendor license page How to apply

Do you need one?

You need a vendor’s license before you start making retail sales of taxable goods or services in Ohio. It’s the license that lets a business collect sales tax from customers and report it to the state. You probably need a regular county license if you:

Run a store, shop, salon, restaurant or other business at a fixed location in Stark County.
Sell from a home-based business with a fixed location in the county.
Open a second location: each fixed place of business needs its own license.

If you only sell at temporary events and have no fixed place of business in Ohio, the transient vendor’s license from the state is the one to get. Businesses that sell only items that aren’t taxable may not need a license at all; the Ohio Department of Taxation can confirm.

How to apply

Get your business details ready: the legal business name, any trade name (registered with the Ohio Secretary of State), your federal employer identification number (EIN) if you have one, and the address of each location.
Choose how to apply. Download the county’s Application for Vendor’s License to Make Taxable Sales, or apply online through the Ohio Business Gateway.
Pay the $50 fee for each fixed place of business.
Get your license from the Auditor, one for each fixed place of business.

Questions go to the Auditor’s Licensing and Business staff at 110 Central Plaza South, Suite 220, Canton, OH 44702, (330) 451-7354. The same line handles dog licenses.

Worked example: two shops

Example: a bakery with two Stark County locations

Location 1, Canton: $50.00
Location 2, North Canton: $50.00
Total license fees: $100.00

There’s no yearly renewal fee for a county vendor’s license, according to the county.

After you’re licensed

File sales tax returns with the Ohio Department of Taxation on the schedule it assigns you. The Auditor issues the license; the state handles returns.
Display the license prominently, in plain view, at every place of business, as Ohio law requires.
Changes need action. If the vendor’s identity changes, such as a new owner, apply for a new license. A move within Stark County can be transferred; a move to another county needs a new license from that county.
Closing? Tell the Ohio Department of Taxation so your sales tax account is closed too.

Other registrations a new business may need

Trade name: registered with the Ohio Secretary of State.
EIN: from the IRS, if you have employees or are a partnership or corporation.
City permits and zoning: from your city, village or township.
Lodging tax, if you rent rooms to overnight guests; see our lodging tax guide.

Common mistakes

Opening before the license arrives. Apply before your first sale.
One license for two stores. Each fixed location needs its own.
Getting a county license for event-only sales. Event sellers without a fixed location need the state’s transient license.
Paying a third-party “license service.” The official fee is $50, paid to the county or through the Ohio Business Gateway.

Frequently asked questions

How much is a vendor's license in Stark County, Ohio?

$50 for each fixed place of business in the county. The county lists no annual renewal fee.

Where do I get a vendor's license in Stark County?

From the Stark County Auditor, 110 Central Plaza South, Suite 220, Canton, or online through the Ohio Business Gateway. Call (330) 451-7354 with questions.

What is a transient vendor's license?

A license from the State of Ohio for selling at temporary locations such as shows, fairs and events, when you have no fixed place of business in the county. It also costs $50.

Do I need a separate license for each store?

Yes. Ohio law requires a license for each fixed place of business.

Does a vendor's license need to be renewed?

The county lists no annual renewal fee. You do need a new license if the business's identity changes, such as a new owner, or if you move to another county.

Next steps

Sources

Stark County Auditor, Vendor Licenses (license types, fee, no renewal fee, application, phone, related links)
Ohio Revised Code 5739.17 (fees, one license per fixed place of business, display, changes of identity and location, transient licenses)
Ohio Department of Taxation

All sources checked Sep 27, 2026.

Stark Auditor Guide is an independent guide published by Abu Hurera LLC. It is not the Stark County Auditor’s office. Always confirm deadlines and amounts with the official office before you act.