FAQS & GUIDELINES
Welcome back to Garden at the Flea! We’re thrilled to have you join us for another wonderful season. This page is here to help answer any questions you may have as a vendor participant at our events. Please take a moment to review all Basic & Vending Guidelines below, as these are important for a smooth and successful experience together. We’re excited to have you participate!
Page Updated JAN 2025
BUT FIRST, THE BASICS
San Jose Flea Market Rules
The Garden at the Flea is located inside the San Jose Flea Market (SJFM), so you’ll be subject to the same rules as the general vendors there. Take a look at these guidelines, especially if you’re thinking of joining us as a Friday Night vendor or participating at SJFM on weekends.
For full list of general vendor rules can be found here>>. (Opens SJFM Website)
TAP TO EXPAND INFO
What Items are Prohibited?
Illegal and inappropriate items along with certain branded merchandise are prohibited (Managements reserves the right to decide what is prohibited).
These prohibited items may include:
- Pornographic/sexualized materials
- Guns or ammunition
- Alcohol or tobacco products
- Prepared foods, snacks, or drinks
- Counterfeit Copyright Protected items (MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL, etc.)
- Luxury Branded Merchandise, Counterfeits, or Artistic Variations
- Croc Jibbitz or similar shoe charms products
Can I Sell Food or Drinks?
- Only annually Santa Clara County Health Dept. inspected food trucks/trailers can participate as a food vendor. If you are a food truck/trailer vendor, you may apply at >> www.gardenattheflea.com/participate/
- Applicants will be contacted by Garden at the Flea team.
- Due to grandfathered general county health rules & guidelines that affect the Garden at the Flea space, we cannot accept any tented food vendors at this time.
Can I Bring My Pet?
- No pets allowed, with the exception of service animals as required by law.
SJFM Vendor General Terms
- The Flea Market, Inc. reserves the right to refuse entry to any person, entity, or organization.
- The Flea Market, Inc. reserves the right to refuse admission to any Seller, and to inspect all merchandise.
- The Flea Market, Inc. reserves the right to designate the selling area.
- Complete Vendor Rules can be found >> here. (Opens SJFM Website)
GARDEN VENDOR GUIDELINES
Vending Guidelines for Night Markets
First time or seasoned vendor, we welcome your interest in participating as a vendor at Garden at the Flea. Please take time to carefully read the guidelines below to help your answer any questions you have.
IMPORTANT
Some events such as Pop-Up SJ Vintage Market, Cultural Events, or Special Themed Markets are often produced by a secondary partners and may have different vendor application processing, event guidelines, and participation fees for their event production.
ALSO, partner hosts may have an external website for vendor applications and will not be available on this website.
Is there important information I should know first as a Garden at the Flea Vendor? (Vendor Code of Conduct)
- Vendors must abide by rules set by San Jose Flea Market Inc. >> https://sjfm.com/vendor-rules
- Participants must remove their vehicles from the event area and into the parking lot at least 30 minutes before event start (i.e. For a 5 PM event, all vehicles must be out at 4:30PM).
- Participants must follow directives by San Jose Flea Market / Garden at the Flea management and security.
- Absolutely, no outside alcohol, drugs, or smoking allowed on property.
- IMPORTANT: Any type of violent, verbal, or abusive behavior is not tolerated and will issue right of ejection off the premises. Any participants actively participating in this behavior are not allowed to apply as a vendor at any time.
- Violating any terms within the Vendor Code of Conduct is automatic dismissal from the property and no vendor refunds.
What are the vendor booth sizes & application fee costs?
- Most events offer 10′ x 10′ ft spaces. Certain events may be limited depending on space amounts.
- Spaces for Berryessa Night Markets will typically start at $30 (non-refundable for any approved vendors).
- Events like the Pop-Up SJ Vintage Market, Cultural Events, and other Special Themed Markets are often produced by third-party partners and may have separate vendor application processes, booth/event guidelines, and increased participation fees specific to their event production.
What does the application fee cover?
- Your fee will typically cover your application for vendor spaces for specific event and a parking permit for the event date.
- Equipment like tables and chairs are not included. Electrical access is also not available.
- NOTICE: It DOES NOT CONFIRM your participation in the event you apply for. Read Below for approved applications.
Can I apply as a food/drink vendor?
- Only annually inspected by Santa Clara County Dept. of Environmental Health Food Truck/Trailer with required up-to-date business/sales permits, fire inspected equipment, & COI can participate in events & night markets inside the venue.
- Due to grandfathered SCC Health Dept Rules affecting certain areas like the Garden community space, we cannot accept tented or tabled food/snack vendors at this time.
- Any SCC Inspected Food Trucks/Trailers can apply here >> gardenattheflea.com/participant-form
When are typical application deadlines for events?
- Tuesdays before an event date at 12:00 PM are deadlines for applications. Applying after this time, we may not have opportune time to process and approve your application. Holidays may extend deadlines to additional days.
- We do not accept any day of drive-up vendors for any evening night markets.
How & When do I know my application is approved?
- Most applications will be reviewed in 3 working days. Approval or declined notifications will be sent no later than Wednesday week of the event.
- Approved vendors will receive event details on Wednesdays, including load-in instructions, parking permits, and booth space assignments.
- Declined vendors will typically receive a full refund of their application fees upon review.
How do I know my application was not approved or processed in time?
- We review and approve vendor applications based on alignment with each event’s theme. If your application cannot be approved, we may issue a cancellation or provide an option to forward your application credit to another Berryessa Night Market date of your choice or align to another event.
- If you receive a refund & declination notice for your application, it may be due to insufficient vendor information, prohibited products, previous incidents, rule violations, or other disqualifying factors.
- We reserve the right to cancel or deny applications at our discretion in accordance with SJFM vendor rules.
If I have done an event at Berryessa Night Market (BNM), do I need to reapply?
- Yes, you will need to apply for each event. Most vendors who have been approved for previous events are likely to have faster application approval times.
Can I share a booth?
- Yes, you may share with one other vendor. It is required to include all business information (name, social media, website/shop) of the other vendor in your application for approval.
- We hold the right to refund/cancel any future applications of any shared booth vendors were not previously approved by the start of any event.
What should I be bringing when I vend?
- Recommended Items: Table(s), chairs, battery-operated lighting, booth equipment, & decor. While there is a good amount of light in the space, we do not provide any power/electricity in retail vendor areas.
- Optional but Recommended: 10x10ft Canopy and must stay in those space limits. You are required to have a weight on each leg with at least a combined total of 20+ lbs (i.e. 5+ lbs per leg).
- You are legally responsible of any harm/damage that your canopy and booth content may incur to attendees, participants, and/or property if an incident occurs.
- No gas/fuel powered generators are allowed.
- No outside alcohol, drugs, or smoking products allowed on Flea Market property.
Do I need a business & sellers permit?
While not required, in accordance to SJ Flea Market vendor rules –
If you are selling less than three days a calendar year no permit or license is required at all. Otherwise, please direct all questions regarding licensing and/or permits to:
State Board of Equalization
250 Second St. San Jose, CA, 95113-2706
(408) 277 – 1231
(408) 277 – 1252 (FAX)
(800) 400 – 7115 (Info)
- For Information on CA Seller’s Permit >> https://www.cdtfa.ca.gov/taxes-and-fees/faqseller.htm
- Vendors are responsible on charging and paying their own sales taxes.
Is there refunds? What If I need to cancel?
- There is absolutely no refunds for an approved vendor application.
- If there is a chance you will miss an event, we can transfer your credit to a future event date for no additional fees.
- Any vendor cancelation notices should be done at least 24-hrs in advance (No later than Thursdays at 5 PM).
- No shows or lack of notification of any cancelation (before or after an event) may affect any future vendor application opportunities.