Fire Regulations

Ventura, CA fire regulations for tents, canopies, and membrane structures align with the 2022 California Fire Code (based on the 2021 International Fire Code) and require a permit for structures over 400 square feet. Key requirements include ensuring all fabrics are flame-resistant, maintaining specified clearances from property lines and other structures (often 20 feet), providing adequate means of egress (exits), and securing a permit from the local fire authority.

Permits and general requirements

Permit required: Obtain a permit for any tent or membrane structure over 400 square feet.
Flame resistance: All tent and membrane materials must be flame-resistant, complying with standards like CPAI-84.
Permit application: Submit applications and plans to the local fire authority at least 10 days before installation.
Anchorage: Structures must be properly anchored to withstand wind and weather.
Fire extinguishers: At least one fire extinguisher (e.g., 2A10BC) must be readily accessible.

Minimum separation: Tents, canopies, and membrane structures should be located at least 20 feet from lot lines, other tents, buildings, or parked vehicles, unless specific exceptions are met.

Cooking areas: Tents used for cooking require specific safety measures, and cooking under canopies poses a significant fire hazard due to melting and ignition risks.

Large structures: Structures over 15,000 square feet require a 50-foot separation from other tents or structures.

Inherent Fire Retardant or Flame Retardant Treatment

Ventura County follows state regulations that require fire-retardant treatment for certain decorative materials and restricts certain flame retardants in furniture and children's products. While some treatments must be approved by the State Fire Marshal (OSFM), and inherently nonflammable materials are often preferred, California law prohibits the sale of new furniture containing certain harmful flame retardants above specific limits. New home construction is subject to "wildfire hardening" laws in high-risk zones, focusing on ember-resistant vents, fire-resistant construction materials, and defensible space.

All decorations, drapes, signs, banners, plastic displays, hay, straw, moss, split bamboo, and other similar materials must be ﬂame retardant to the satisfaction of the ﬁre department and the state ﬁre marshal.
Table coverings must be ﬂame retardant treated unless they lie ﬂat, with an overhang no greater than 6”.
Oilcloth, tar paper, sisal paper, nylon, orlon, and certain other plastic materials cannot be made ﬂame retardant, and their use is prohibited.
A certiﬁcate of ﬂame resistance shall be available for review by the ﬁre marshal or on ﬁle with the ﬁre marshal for all decorative materials. This is the responsibility of the exhibitor to have their fire paperwork available & in order.

Combustibles
Literature on display shall be kept limited to reasonable quantities. Reserve supplies shall be kept in closed containers and stored in a neat and compact manner.

No cardboard boxes or any other combustible materials may be stored on top of or near any electrical wiring in the spaces behind the back-wall drapery (booth) or behind any display.

Obstructions
Aisles designated on approved show ﬂoor plans shall be kept clean, clear, and free of obstructions. Booth constructions shall be substantial and fixed in position in specified areas for the duration of the show. Chairs, easels, signs, and demonstration areas shall not be placed beyond booth areas into aisles.

**If you are a Boutique booth that has been pre-approved by Hall of Flowers to bring in custom fixtures, please be sure to abide by the following fire regulations.

Ventura City Fire Department: Contact the City of Ventura Fire Department or the City of Ventura's Building and Safety Division for specific local requirements and to submit your permit application.

California Fire Code (CFC): The regulations are based on the California Fire Code, which is incorporated into state law. You can find detailed requirements in Chapter 31 of the CFC.

Guidelines for Temporary Tents, Canopies and Membrane Structures over 400 SF

For temporary tents and membrane structures over 400 SF in Ventura, California, you must obtain a permit and follow California Fire Code (CFC) and International Fire Code (IFC) regulations. Key requirements include using flame-resistant materials, ensuring adequate egress (exits), proper anchorage, and prohibiting open flames within 20 feet unless approved by the fire code official. An operations plan, construction documents, and proof of flame resistance (like a certificate) are also typically required for the permit application.

General permit requirements

Permit: A permit is required for any tent or membrane structure over 400 SF, with exceptions for recreational camping tents.
Construction documents: Submit construction documents prepared by a registered design professional, including design calculations and installation drawings.
Operations plan: Provide an operations plan that includes manufacturer's guidelines and procedures for monitoring and emergency actions.
Designated responsible party: Designate a person to be on-site to ensure the structure's safety and coordinate with the fire code official.

Material and construction

Flame-resistant fabric: All fabric, including decorative materials, must be flame-resistant and meet specific standards like the California State Fire Marshal's requirements or NFPA 701.
Proof of flame resistance: A certificate from a testing laboratory certifying the material's flame resistance is often required.
Anchorage: Support ropes and guy wires are considered part of the structure, and it must be properly anchored.

GENERAL GUIDELINES

All Outdoor Exhibitors installing temporary tents, canopies, and membrane structures greater than 400 SF shall meet the guidelines below, and obtain associated building or fire permits when required from the appropriate building or fire code official.
The fire code official must issue a permit and inspect tents, canopies, and membrane structures covering an aggregate area of over 400 square feet or designed to be used by 10 or more people.
Tents, canopies, and membrane structures shall have a fire-resistant certification or flame certification showing material is in compliance with either the California State Fire Marshal with an approved seal or meets NFPA 701 flame retardant standards.
Tents, canopies, and membrane structures shall not be installed within 5 feet of buildings unless approved by the fire code official.
The use of propane heaters requires a permit from the fire code official.
A building permit from the Building Department is required for canopies constructed of frames other than metal frames and fabric membrane covering.
Areas open to the public under tents, canopies, and membrane structures must be made accessible to individuals with disabilities. The minimum clear head clearance under a tent, canopy, or membrane structure is 80 inches.
There shall be a clearance of not less than 3 feet between the fabric sides of a tent, canopy, or membrane structure and all contents located inside the tent, canopy, or membrane structure.
Tents, canopies, and membrane structures shall be installed a minimum of 20 feet from parked vehicles or internal combustion engines.
Cooking is prohibited in tents, canopies, or membrane structures.
One or more means of egress from a tent, canopy, or membrane structure must be provided and clearly marked as required by the CFC.
Extension cords serving a tent, canopy, or membrane structure must be protected by a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI} and must be protected from damage. Heating devices must be kept a minimum of 3 feet away from combustible materials at all times.
Businesses utilizing outdoor tents, canopies, or membrane structures will need written inclement weather plans and trained staff to prevent any injuries in storms or other unsafe situations. After hours emergency contact information shall be required in case the jurisdiction must notify the business management of special storm or disaster preparation requirements.
There shall be fire apparatus access within 150 feet of all sides of a tent, canopy, or membrane structure.
Outdoor tents, canopies, or membrane structures that are occupied or open to the public must have openings to allow airflow as provided in these guidelines and the California Department of Public Health Guidelines dated November 25, 2020, for Use of Temporary Structures for Outdoor Business Operations.
No more than 50% of the perimeter walls can be impermeable and must be non-continuous and non-adjacent to allow for maximum airflow (see Figure 1). The remaining walls may be permeable. Permeable walls/openings must be opposing to allow maximum airflow.
Tents, canopies, or membrane structures shall be properly anchored or ballasted in accordance with the manufacturer's guidelines, structural calculations, or as otherwise approved by the fire code official. The formula [(L x W) x 5Ibs = total ballast required] may be used to determine total ballast for tents and canopies.
The following weights for filled water barrels may be used for providing ballasts:
Water barrels top tied only 192 lbs. Each
Water barrels top tied and bottom strapped to leg 336 lbs. each

DEFINITIONS

CANOPY. A structure or architectural projection of rigid construction over which a covering is attached that provides weather protection, identity, or decoration, and may be structurally independent or supported by attachment to a building on one end and by not less than one stanchion on the outer end.

MEMBRANE STRUCTURE. An air-inflated, air-supported, cable or frame-covered structure as defined by the California Building Code and not otherwise defined as a tent.

OPENING. For the purposes of these guidelines, an "opening" is an unobstructed area that allows for the free passage of outside air.

OUTDOORS. A space located outside the confines of an enclosed building that allows for ample outside air circulation.

PARTIAL OBSTRUCTION. For the purposes of these guidelines, a "partial obstruction" is any vertical impermeable obstruction, including, but not limited to, vertical materials, fabrics, tarps, partitions, screens, fences, planters, railings, water walls and similar vertical impermeable obstructions or elements that are under or within 5 feet of the perimeter of a tent, canopy or membrane structure.

IMPERMEABLE WALL is defined as any material type that can reasonably restrict aerosols from passing through. For example, a fabric curtain, tarp, plastic barrier, or similar material. An impermeable wall is greater than 3611 in height, under or within 5 feet of the perimeter of the tent.

PERMEABLE WALL is defined as any sidewall made of a material or design that does not significantly impede natural air flow. For example, lattice fencing with widely separated slats or coarse mesh screen under or within 5 feet of the perimeter of the tent. Mesh fencing or other permeable materials that maintain cross-ventilation and do not significantly impede natural airflow may be used as a perimeter with no height restriction. At least 50% of the wall surface area must be open to allow for aerosols to pass through.

TEMPORARY. For the purposes of these guidelines, "temporary" means the duration of time that a tent, canopy, or membrane structure is permitted to exist under the applicable permits issued for said structure.

TENT. A structure, enclosure, umbrella structure, or shelter, with or without sidewalls or drops, constructed of fabric or pliable material supported by any means except by air or the contents that it protects.

UMBRELLA STRUCTURE. A structure, enclosure, or shelter, with or without sidewalls or drops, constructed of fabric or pliable material supported by a central pole or poles.