Permit Application Requirements For

Temporary Tents, and Membrane

Structures

CITY OF PALM DESERT

Building & Safety
Department

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Revised
1-30-14

73510 Fred Waring Drive

Palm Desert, CA 92260
Phone: (760) 776-6420
Fax:
(760) 776-6392
www.cityofpalmdesert.com

Tent A structure, enclosure or shelter, with or without side-walls or

drops, constructed of fabric or pliable material supported by any manner
except by air or the contents it protects, and shall not be used for more
than a period of 180 days.
Permits are required for all temporary tents and membrane structures that exceed 400 square feet (19 m2) in area.
NOTE: This is a general list of requirements. More information may be
required as each project is individually evaluated. When such a request
is made, the application can progress only after the necessary information is received.

Completed Temporary Use Permit Application attached.

Site plan (11x17 minimum 24x36 maximum) showing all
structures, address Disabled Access requirements for parking,
restrooms and seating.
The following conditions must be met based on the 2013
California Building Code and California Fire Code:
1. Temporary tents and membrane structures and their appurtenances shall be adequately braced and anchored to prevent
weather related collapse. A report shall be provided to
minimally state that in the engineers professional opinion, the
tent is designed to withstand expected forces and climate
conditions including a minimum wind force of 90 mph, 3 second
gust. The report shall be signed and stamped with the
engineers professional seal.
2. The sidewalls, drops and tops of temporary tents and membrane structures shall be composed of flame-resistant material or shall be treated with a flame-retardant in an approved
manner.
3. Temporary tents or membrane structures shall have a permanently affixed label bearing the following information:
a. Identification of temporary tent or membrane structure,
size and fabric or material type.
b. For flame-resistant materials, the necessary information to determine compliance with this chapter
(Chapter 31) or Section 304 as applicable.

c. For flame-retardant-treated materials, the date that the temporary tent or membrane structure and other combustible materials were last treated with an approved flame retardant.
d. The trade name and type of flame retardant utilized in the flame-retardant treatment.
e. The name of the person and firm that applied the flame retardant.

Floor plan of the tent delineating the following requirements of Chapter 31:
1. Portable Fire Extinguishers to be located per the Fire Marshal prior to occupancy.
2. Seating arrangement plan (if applicable)
3. Delineate the location of any heating, cooking equipment on the floor plan. Tents containing cooking equipment shall be located a minimum of 20 feet from other tents or
membrane structures.
4. Outdoor cooking that produces sparks or grease laden vapors shall not be performed
within 20 feet from a temporary membrane structures and tents.
5. Delineate the exits (2 required if occupant load is 10 to 199, 3 required if occupant load
is 200-499)
6. Exit signs when occupant load is 50 or more (illuminated if occupant load is more than
100)
7. Exits in tents are required to be a minimum of 72 inches in width per exit.

Electrical permit required for all portable generators.

1. Show locations of emergency generators and fuel storage that are onsite. Generators
must be at least 20 ft. from tents/membrane structures and shall be isolated from contact
with the public by fencing, enclosure or other approved means. CFC Section 3104.19.

Applications that include bleachers, grandstands and stages must provide:

Calculation or certification from a structural, civil, or other qualified registered engineer may
be required. The structure of the bleachers shall be sufficient to support the proposed
loads.
Provide an exiting plan showing location, width, and configuration of exits. A plan indicating
location of handicapped access seating. State accessibility laws require that wheelchair
areas shall be an integral part of any seating plan, and shall be arranged so as to provide
persons with disabilities a choice of admission prices and lines of sight comparable to
those of the general public. At least one companion seat shall be provided next to each
wheelchair seating space. The number of spaces shall be 1 space for up to 26 persons, 2
up to 50, 4 up to 300, 6 up to 500, and one additional space for each fraction of 100 people
over 500 people.

2013 Submittal Requirements for Temporary Tents or Membrane Structures

All applications for permits for temporary tents or membrane structures must be
accompanied by two (2) copies of detailed site plans prepared on paper no less than
11 x 17 no larger than 24 x 36 paper. The plans shall comply with all of the following:
1.
2.
3.
4.

Indicate the type of structure: i.e. tent, membrane structure

Be drawn to scale at a minimum of 1/8 inch to the foot
All text on the plans shall be minimum 1/8 inch in height
Indicate size of each structure in sq. ft. and show dimensions of each side of the
structure
5. State location of structure (address, block and lot)
6. Indicate the duration of permit (from construction until take-down)
7. Indicate the name of the company erecting tent or membrane structure, the name
of the organization sponsoring the event, the name of the property owner at the
tent location, and the name and cell phone numbers of the on-site contact
personnel.
8. State that the plans are in compliance with the 2013 California Fire Code, and
when applicable, the 2013 Electrical Code, and 2013 Mechanical Code.
9. Indicate the proximity (in feet) of tent or membrane structure to nearby buildings,
property lines, other tents or membrane structures, parked vehicles, or internal
combustion engines. Tents and /or membrane structures shall be located a
minimum of 20 ft. from these items. Vehicles parked on a public street or
necessary for the operation of the establishment should be kept twenty (20) ft.
from these structures; all other vehicles shall be 100 feet away. See exceptions
in the Fire Code.
10. Show fire department access roads.
11. Indicate the use of all areas of the temporary structures.
12. Show proposed furniture lay-out (table, chairs, bleachers, grandstands, and
stages) properly scaled with aisles and exit access. Aisles shall be in accordance
with Section 1014 of the CFC, and shall be a minimum of 44 inches CFC Section
3103.12. The dimension between tables and between tables and adjacent walls
and/or other obstructions shall be shown.
13. When bleachers, folding and telescopic seating, and/or grandstands are used,
they shall comply with the 2007 ICC 300 Standard. Documentation of compliance
from the vendor providing the seating is required.
14. Show the exits and indicate the clear exit width provided. All points within the tent
shall be 100 ft. or less from an exit and exiting shall comply with CFC Section
3103.12.
15. On sloped sites, where stairs or ramps are necessary, stairways, ramps,
landings, handrails, and guards shall meet Chapter 10 of the CFC. Details shall
be shown on plans.
16. Include the proposed occupant load and justification for each area (based upon
CFC 1004).
17. Shall show the locations and size of fire extinguishers that will be provided.
Travel distance to fire extinguishers shall not exceed 75 ft. Additional

extinguishers are required at each cooking area and at each fuel powered
generator.
18. Show locations of all exit signs. Exit signs must be illuminated when serving
occupant loads of more than 49 occupants. When occupant loads exceed 300,
an approved emergency system is required for exit sign illumination. All back-up
sources of illumination shall have a minimum duration of 90 minutes CFC Section
3103.12.6.1
19. Show locations of NO SMOKING signs and occupant load signs.
20. All cooking areas shall be shown (inside and outside of tents), and shall indicate
the fuel source for each cooking appliance (sterno, LP-gas, etc). Generally, only
food warming with sterno is permitted inside assembly tents. Cooking tents must
be separated by a minimum distance of 20 ft. from other tents or membrane
structures. Outdoor cooking that produces sparks or grease laden vapors shall
not be performed within 20 ft. of a tent or membrane structure. CFC Section
3105.15. Additional Fire Department permits for fuels associated with cooking
are required.
21. Gas, liquid and solid fuel burning equipment designed to be vented shall be
vented to the outside air as specified in the California Mechanical Code. All
venting shall be shown on plans, including clearances from tents or membrane
structures. Such vents shall be equipped with approved spark arresters when
required. Where vents or flues are used, all portions of the tent or membrane
structure shall be not less than 12 inches from the flue or vent.
22. Show location of all LP-gas containers (must be a minimum of 10 ft. from any
tent/membrane structure). CFC Section 3104.16.
23. Show locations of emergency generators and fuel storage that are onsite.
Generators must be at least 20 ft. from tents/membrane structures. CFC Section
3104.19.
24. Show all flammable or combustible fuel storage (shall be a minimum of 50 ft.
from any tent or membrane structure). CFC Section 3104.17. Additional Fire
Department permit required for generators and fuel storage.
25. Show location, type, and fuel source of all heating equipment and/or any other
appliances in tent. Manufacturers installation instructions shall be made
available on request.
26. Vehicles or equipment used for competition, demonstration, or display in tents
shall be shown on plans and shall comply with CFC Section 3104.18.
a) Membrane structures shall comply with other relevant requirements shown in
the CFC.
b) A Certificate of Flame Resistance for each tent, membrane structure, and/or
interior decorative fabrics or materials proposed shall accompany the
application.
c) Plans shall state that the applicant will provide trained crowd managers at a
ratio of one crowd manager for every 250 occupants, or as approved.

Additional Documentation. Applicants proposing to install tents and /or membrane

structures that meet any of the following three criteria shall provide a report of
installation inspection prepared by a California licensed structural engineer after the
installation is complete, but prior to occupancy:
The square footage of the structure is 7500 sq. ft. or more
The approved occupant load is 500 or more
The clear span width of the structural support is 60 ft. or more
The report shall minimally state that in the engineers professional opinion, the tent is
designed, installed, and anchored to withstand expected forces and climate conditions
including a minimum wind force of 90 mph. The report shall be signed and stamped with
the engineers professional seal.
Inspection. Prior to issuance of a permit, the Fire Department will inspect the
installation for conformance with the approved plans. Any variations from the approved
plans should be justified prior to the field inspection. Field inspections must be
conducted with ample time to make corrections prior to the start of the event. This will
vary depending on the size/scope of the event.
In general, field inspectors will verify that the tent is installed and furnished in
compliance with the approved plans. Deviations from the approved plans are subject to
approval by the field inspector. Other inspection items:
If LP-gas is being permitted for the event, applicants shall have on hand a
spray bottle of soapy water for testing purposes, and should be prepared (have
personnel on hand) to conduct leak testing of hose and equipment at the time
of the inspection.
Heating or cooking equipment, tanks, piping, hoses, fittings, valves, tubing and
other related components shall be installed as specified in the California
Mechanical Code and shall be approved by the Fire Code Official. Unapproved
hoses, etc. will be required to be replaced prior to use.
Temporary wiring shall meet the requirements of the 2013 California Electrical
Code and shall be prevented from being a tripping hazard.
There shall be a minimum clearance of at least 3 ft. between the fabric
envelope and all contents located inside membrane structures. CFC Section
3104.11.
Generators shall be isolated from contact with the public by fencing, enclosure,
or other approved means. CFC Section 3104.20.
Means of egress illumination shall be a minimum of 1 foot-candle at floor level
and have a separate circuit or source of power.
All flammable vegetation within 50 ft. of any tent shall be removed (Title 19). In
general, this is referring to tall dead grass/weeds.