Transient Merchant License

​Difference between a transient m​​erchant, peddler and solicitor

  • Transient merchant: A person who sells and delivers goods from a temporary location. This could include a building, structure, vacant lot or railroad car.
  • Peddler: A person who goes door-to-door physically selling goods (i.e., food, merchandise, etc.). Peddlers seek out customers and are not stopped or parked waiting for customers to come to them.
  • Solicitor: A person who goes door-to-door taking “orders" for goods or services. They can also seek donations, other than political campaigns.

A person can be an individual or a member of group.

Dakota County only issues transient merchant licenses

Dakota County only issues licenses to transient merchants. If you are a peddler or solicitor, please contact the city for ​ license or permit information.

A transient merchant does not include a seller or exhibitor in a firearms collector show involving two or more sellers or exhibitors.

The license is valid at one sale location only. It is not valid for more than one person, unless that person is a member of a co-partnership. The license is only valid in Dakota County.​

For more information, see Minnesota Statutes 329.099-329.17 and Chapter 297A.83.

Pe​​n​​alties

Anyone who does business as a transient mer​​chant without a license is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.

L​​icense fee

Fee: $150, payable by cash, check payable to Dakota County, or credit card over the phone.

Term: One year from the date it was issued.​

How to apply

  1. Print the Application for Transient Merchant License and fill it out
  2. Print and fill out the:
  3. ​Gather the following application materials:
    • Completed license application
    • Completed license applicant information form
    • Completed certificate of compliance with Minnesota Worker's Compensation form
    • Surety bond for an amount between $1,000 and $3,000 made out to Dakota County.
    • Inventory list of items for sale that shows:
      • A description of each item.
      • The serial number.
      • The price.
      • A tracking number that matches a tag attached to the item until it is sold.
    • Copy of the applicant's Minnesota seller's permit. If they do not have one, the applicant must write a statement saying that they are not selling anything that requires sales tax.
    • License fee
  4. Mail the application materials to:
    Dakota County Public Services & Revenue
    1590 Highway 55
    Hastings, MN 55033
  5. The license certificate will be mailed to the applicant. ​



Last updated: 2/18/2026 2:59 PM