Guidelines for Erection of Tents or Canopies
A tent is defined as a temporary covered canvas or similar lightweight material and enclosed on one or more sides. It is supported by poles, stakes, ropes or cables (non-combustible). A canopy is defined as a temporary portable structure covered with canvas or similar lightweight material and open on all sides. It is supported by poles, stakes, beams, ropes or cables (non-combustible).
Prior to erecting temporary tents or canopies greater than 400 square feet at events open to the public, appropriate permits and licenses must be obtained. Unless otherwise stated all requirements listed below shall apply to both tents and canopies.
1) Application for a building permit must be submitted to the City of Temecula Building and Safety Department.
All canopies shall comply with rules and regulations with all of the following:
a) Submittal requirements by tent or canopy size:
- All tents and canopies exceeding 400 square feet in area must be erected by a tent erector licensed by the City.
- Plans for tents and canopies exceeding 600 square feet in area must also have drawings stamped by a licensed architect or structural engineer. Exit and emergency plans including signs and lighting shall be submitted for tents.
- Applications for permits for tents and canopies exceeding 4,000 square feet in area must also be submitted exclusively by the company responsible for the erection. The complete structural calculation(s) are required.
b) The application for permit shall be accompanied by:
- Three sets of plans showing the size, construction, fabric type, location on the property, distance from existing building(s), and length of time to be in use. If fixed seating is provided, also show the number of rows, the location
and width of aisles and exits, and the maximum seating capacity in each section. The location of toilet facilities
shall be noted. (Accessibility required).
- Wind resistance calculations demonstrating compliance with California Building Code. Statement that canopies/tents will not be used if winds are forecasted to exceed 50 mph.
- A certificate of fire resistance executed by an approved recognized testing laboratory certifying that such tent is flame proofed in accordance with the National Fire Protection Association’s Standard NFPA 701. If the flame proofing is not of the permanent type, the certificate shall be dated within 360 days preceding the last date of intended use. If the tent is certified as having been rendered permanently fire resistant during manufacture or it made of an inherently fire resistant fabric, then the certificate of fire resistance may be dated not earlier than seven years before the date of intended use.
c) Temporary toilet facilities shall be provided in accordance with the Building Code.
d) The certificate of fire resistance shall indicate the type of fabric, compliance with NFPA 701, and each tent’s unique
registration number. Each tent placed in service after 7-13-94 shall bear permanent identification of all the above
information. Notwithstanding any certificate, the Deputy Commissioner in charge of the Bureau of Fire Prevention
may at any time submit the tent or canopy fabric to field testing as specified in NFPA 701. Fabric that fails the field
test shall not be used.
e) Exit facilities shall comply with all applicable requirements for assembly units for tents. Canopies with seating shall
also comply.
f) Exit directional sign and emergency lighting shall be provided for all tents exceeding 4,000 square feet in area that have interior partitions and will be in use for longer than 48 hours. Such tents shall be provided with an Emergency Lighting System. Exit and emergency plans for tents exceeding 600 square feet shall be provided for review by the Fire Prevention.
g) Standard fire extinguishers shall be conspicuously located at each tent exit.
h) Liquefied petroleum gas tanks shall not be permitted inside or within ten feet of either tents or canopies.
i) Building permits for tents and canopies shall be limited to planning conditions of approval.
j) The building permit fee for each tent or canopy – if no fee waiver is provided:
- (Fees are subject to change), based on the City fee schedule.
2) No tent or canopy may be used until it has passed inspection. Following the submission of an application for a tent or canopy over 600 square feet in area, the applicant must request and schedule an inspection by the Building and Fire Departments.
3) Electrical work requires a separate Electrical Permit before work starts. All electrical wiring shall be secured. The application must be submitted on-line by a licensed supervising electrician.
4) Mechanical Rides permit Applications must be submitted to City Hall.
5) Your tent or canopy will fall into one of two categories for Buildings permits:
- You do not need a Building Permit if your tent or canopy has an area of 400 square feet or less.
- If your tent or canopy is between 401-599 square feet, you need a building Permit.