Special Events & Tents Requiring A Fire Code Permit
	General Permit Submittal Information
	Special Event Permit Application Specifics
	Tent(s) Permit Application Specifics
	Fireworks Permit Application Specifics
	Santa Clara County Fairgrounds Events and Tents

Special Events & Tents Requiring A Fire Code Permit Are:

1. Tents/Canopies:  See Standards 
   • Tents in excess of 200 sq. ft. (walls covering 25% or more of perimeter)
   • Canopies in excess of 400 sq. ft. (walls covering 25% or less of perimeter)
2. Fireworks & Special Effects:  See Standards
3. Special Events includes:  See Standards 
   • Festival Cooking Booths
   • Haunted Houses (and other structures), ghost walks and similar events
   • Fairs, Festivals, and Other Special Events or Large Gathering
   • Model Rockets (No individual permits given)
4. All of the above taking place on Stanford University's Campus    

 If your event requires a permit, click on appropriate,"Permit Application Forms & Specifics," title above.

General Permit Submittal Information

IMPORTANT FOR FIREWORKS, SPECIAL EVENT, AND TENT PERMITS:  Please contact the Santa Clara County Planning Office at (408) 299-5770 to determine whether an entertainment or other permit is required.  The County ordinance requires that an application be submitted to the SCC Planning Office at least 90 days before your event. A Fire Code permit cannot be issued unless all required permits are obtained from the Planning Office. Please choose the appropriate permit application form for your project.  The form must be filled out completely and accompanied by required plans, fees, documents, etc. before we will consider it a complete submittal.

Lead Time:  Please allow a minimum of 2 weeks to process your permit application.  We need time to review your submittal and schedule an inspection, especially if overtime is involved.

Tips:

1. Please print/write legibly so we can read your application.
2. Fire Marshal permit application items that are often missing:
   • Cross Street - to help our Deputy find your event
   • Responsible person - the property owner
   • Applicant's signature and date
   • If you have a contractor:  Contractor's Workers' Compensation policy number and company name.
     NOTE:   All contractor's without Workers' Compensation Insurance must fill out a Workers' Compensation Declaration form for each submittal.
3. Fees are due with your submittal.  See "Fees ", for fee charts.

Special Event Permit Application Specifics 

Not for Santa Clara County Fairgrounds events

APPLICATION FORM                   STANDARD CFMO-SE2 

Around the same time you call the Planning Office you should also contact the Santa Clara County Building Inspection Office to check whether or not you will need any permits from them. You can contact the Building Inspection Office at (408) 299-5700.

NOTE:  If  your event is being held in a County owned or occupied facility you will need to contact our County Facilites Office to obtain a permit.

The Fire Marshal's Office issues Fire Code Permits for tents, fairs, festivals, fireworks & special effects, haunted houses, and other special events held at Stanford University and in the unincorporated areas of Santa Clara County.  If your event requires a Fire Code permit from our office, submit a completed Special Event Permit Application along with the following:

• Site Plan
• Seating/Table arrangement interior floor plan
• Indicate the number, type rating and locations of portable fire extinguishers
• Cooking Booths:  A site plan indicating the cooking booths' dimensions, and distances from other booths, tents and/or canopies, buildings, vehicle parking areas and roadways.
• All Tents over 200 sq. ft. & Canopies over 400 sq. ft. require a separate submittal.  See "Tent/Canopy Permit Application Specifics".
• Fees are due at time of submittal.  See "Fees," for our fee charts.

Tent/Canopy Permit Application Specifics 

Not for Santa Clara County Fairgrounds event tents

APPLICATION FORM                   STANDARD CFMO-SE1

Multiple Tents:  A single permit may be issued for more than one tent, however if the tents are in different locations, more than one permit may be required.

Long-Term Permits:  Long-term permits may be issued for a maximum of 180 days within a 12-month period after which the tent must be removed.  If your use requires that the tent remain in place for longer than 180 days, a building permit from the Santa Clara County Building Inspection Office must be obtained.

Submit the following with your completed permit application:

Fireworks Permit Application Specifics

Not for Santa Clara County Fairgrounds fireworks

APPLICATION FORM                   See STANDARDS  site under Fireworks

Along with a completed Fireworks Public Display & Special Effects Permit Application, (a 2-page form), submit the following:

1. Contractor's State License number and type must be on application.
2. Submit a minimum of two (2) copies of a dimensional site plan diagramming the area where the display will be held.  The site plan shall include:
   • The placement of devices, including detailed dimensioned layout of racks within the firing site
   • Location of firing site, including security perimeter
   • Locations of nearby buildings and roads
   • Location of any performers
   • Distance to audiences or spectators
   • Fallout area and normal wind direction
     NOTE:  Clearly delineate the fallout area dimensions using the worst-case device or effect.
3. Submit a photocopy of the Public Display License and a wet-signed cover letter (on letterhead) from the company. The company representative shall be registered and on file with the California State Fire Marshal's Office.
4. Provide proof of current state pyrotechnic operator license at display site.
5. Submit fire retardant certificates for any stage drops/decorations, etc. (where applicable).
6. For outdoor displays, provide a detailed site security plan. Site security is the responsibility of the applicant.
7. For theatrical special effects, provide a script that describes when the effect(s) will occur during the performance.
8. Fees for a public display of fireworks is a minimum fee of four hours at our overtime rate.  This includes a review of your submittal prior to the date, issuance of the permit for purposes of product shipment, and a maximum four (4) hour inspection outside of regular business hours. If your event exceeds four (4) hours on the night of the display, you will be billed at our hourly overtime rate for the additional time. See, "Fees " for our fee charts.   

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