Transient Merchant or Fireworks Vendor License

As defined by the City of Watford City Municipal Code Chapter VI, Article 2, a transient merchant is defined as:

• "...any person, individual, co-partnership, or corporation, either as principal or agent, who engages in, does, or transacts any temporary or transient business in the City of Watford City, either in one (1) locality, or in traveling from place to place within the City selling goods, wares, and merchandise, who does not intend to become and does not become a permanent merchant of the City of Watford City, and who, for the purpose of carrying on such business, hires, leases, occupies, or uses a building, structure, lots, tract, railroad car, or motor vehicle for the exhibition and sale of such goods, wares, and merchandise. The person, individual, co-partnership, or corporation so engaged shall not be relieved from complying with the provisions of this article merely by reason of associating temporarily with any local dealer, trader, merchant, or auctioneer, or by conducting such transient business in connection with, as a part of, or in the name of any local dealer, trader, merchant or auctioneer."

As detailed in the City of Watford City Municipal Code, it is unlawful to do business in the City as a transient merchant without having first secured a license therefore as is herein provided. A merchant engaging or intending to engage in business as a merchant in the City for a period of time less than one hundred (100) consecutive days is considered a transient merchant.

Exemptions to Transient Merchant Licensing Requirements

• Milkmen or farmers selling the produce of their farms;
• Persons conducting fund-raisers for local organizations or clubs;
• Garage or rummage sales;
• Religious organizations;
• Educational organizations;
• Vendors at public events;
• A bona fide nonprofit veterans, charitable, educational, religious, fraternal, civic, and service club organization, or other public spirited organization; and
• Individuals whose gross sales are not expected to exceed twenty-five dollars ($25.00) per week.

You can access the application for a transient merchant or firework vendor license below. Completed applications may dropped off in person at City Hall, emailed to mpavek@nd.gov, or mailed to:

City of Watford City
213 2nd St NE
PO Box 494
Watford City, ND 58854