City of Mobile to enforce business licenses for LoDa ArtWalk

Mar 12th, 2015

"ArtWalk spotlights the talent of our local artists and sheds light on our vibrant arts community. This community event is experiencing the best problem you could have: overwhelming participation. Due to increased popularity, the City of Mobile and the Mobile Arts Council have decided on best practices that preserve the artistic integrity of the event while addressing issues that have risen due to increased participation." -Mayor Sandy Stimpson

City Action:
The City has required vendors to obtain a peddler's license since the beginning of ArtWalk, but the City of Mobile Revenue Department and the Mobile Police Department will begin random checks for compliance due to increased participation.

Peddler's License Facts:

• Anyone selling products or services in the City of Mobile must obtain a Business License.


• A Peddler's License is good 365 days a year but does not allow selling in City rights-of-way and parks or entrance into special events such as BayFest or Mardi Gras.


• A Peddler's License is good from January 1 until December 31.


• The annual fee for a Peddler's License is $130. After July 1, the fee is reduced to $105. All licenses expire on December 31. Fee includes a $70 non-refundable sales tax deposit. Sales tax remittance forms will be provided to all artists. After annual sales reach $1,400, additional taxes are due.


• Tax payments may be mailed to City of Mobile Revenue Department, P.O. Box 3065, Mobile, AL 36652-3065 or paid in person at 205 Government Plaza, 2nd Floor, South Tower.

ArtWalk application process:

• Beginning with the March ArtWalk, the Mobile Arts Council will take over the management of the street artist component of ArtWalk. The application process will allow artists to legally set-up in Cathedral Square and along City streets.


• Artists must obtain a Peddler's License at the Mobile Revenue Department.


• Artists apply for a space in ArtWalk with the Mobile Arts Council located at 318 Dauphin Street. (Artist must produce proof of current Peddler's License to reserve space).


• Space is reserved on a first come first served basis.


• Monthly fee is $10.00, MAC members $5.00 payable to the Mobile Arts Council.Payment is due by the Wednesday before each monthly ArtWalk. If payment is not remitted by the due date, the space is cancelled for that artist. Payments for ArtWalk are non-refundable.


• Artists will be issued official credentials.


• Artist spaces will be marked for set-up on ArtWalk evenings.

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The LoDaArtWalk is produced by the Mobile Art Council and the City of Mobile Special Events Department. We are dedicated to making downtown Mobile a place that is conducive to artists and arts organizations, as well as providing the community at-large and visitors the opportunity to experience the broad range of creative expression that is uniquely Southern and uniquely Mobile.