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Commercial Tents & Canopies
The Fire Code regulates the erection of tents, canopies, and membrane structures. Generally speaking, tents that are not open on all sides and exceed 400 square feet, or tents that are open on all sides and exceed 700 square feet, require a plan review and the issuance of construction and operational permits from the fire district before they can be used.
A period of not more than 180 days within a 12-month period on a single premise.
An air-inflated, air-supported, cable or frame-covered structure as defined by the International Building Code.
A structure, enclosure or shelter, with or without sidewalls or drops, constructed of fabric or pliable material supported by any manner except by air or the contents that it protects.
All structures referenced from now on will be “tents.”
The approval and issuance of a construction permit is required for a tent having an area in excess of 400 square feet before it can be erected, operated or maintained for any purpose. The owner of the tent submits plans for the construction permit. The construction permit will be issued to the owner of the tent. An inspection by the fire district is required after the erection of the tent but before it is used for its intended purpose or occupied by any persons. All requests for inspections must be made to, and confirmed by, the Fire Prevention Division.
The approval and issuance of a separate operational permit is required to operate a tent in which persons gather for any purpose. The event sponsor of the tent may need to submit plans for the operational permit. The operational permit, if the details are not included with the construction permit submittal. The operational permit will be issued to the event sponsor after successful completion of inspection. An inspection by the fire district is required prior to the use of the tent. All requests for inspections must be made to, and confirmed by, the Fire Prevention Division.
One set of approved plan review documents and applicable permits shall be kept on site at all times during the inspections, construction and operation of a tent.
Definitions
Temporary Use
A period of not more than 180 days within a 12-month period on a single premise.
A Membrane Structure
An air-inflated, air-supported, cable or frame-covered structure as defined by the International Building Code.
A Tent
A structure, enclosure or shelter, with or without sidewalls or drops, constructed of fabric or pliable material supported by any manner except by air or the contents that it protects.
All structures referenced from now on will be “tents.”
Procedure
First
The approval and issuance of a construction permit is required for a tent having an area in excess of 400 square feet before it can be erected, operated or maintained for any purpose. The owner of the tent submits plans for the construction permit. The construction permit will be issued to the owner of the tent. An inspection by the fire district is required after the erection of the tent but before it is used for its intended purpose or occupied by any persons. All requests for inspections must be made to, and confirmed by, the Fire Prevention Division.
Second
The approval and issuance of a separate operational permit is required to operate a tent in which persons gather for any purpose. The event sponsor of the tent may need to submit plans for the operational permit. The operational permit, if the details are not included with the construction permit submittal. The operational permit will be issued to the event sponsor after successful completion of inspection. An inspection by the fire district is required prior to the use of the tent. All requests for inspections must be made to, and confirmed by, the Fire Prevention Division.
Third
One set of approved plan review documents and applicable permits shall be kept on site at all times during the inspections, construction and operation of a tent.