Fire Department Permits for Events
Event with Stage, Tents, and Security Fence
When hosting special events on a UW campus, a permit from your local fire department may be required. Additional permits may be required, depending on the circumstances of the event. Refer to the information below to determine the permits you need and how to apply.
Outdoor events
An outdoor event is any event that takes place on University property outside of a permanent building. It may include the use of tents, canopies, air inflated structures, bleachers, barricades, platforms and stages.
Fire department permits are required for outdoor assembly events, public and private, when the attendance exceeds 99 people, if enclosed with barricades or fencing, or when the attendance exceeds 499 persons in open areas.
Permits for Outdoor Events
While a fire department permit is required for any event described above, additional permits are also required for:
- Propane barbecues and grills, open flames (including charcoal grills) and candles when used in conjunction with an outdoor assembly event
- Tents with walls that exceed 400 square feet (see example)
- Tents without walls (also known as canopies, see example) that exceed 700 square feet in size
- Groupings of open-sided tents or canopies with no walls that cover an area of over 700 square feet or have less than 12 feet of clearance to other tents or buildings
- Air supported or air inflated items, such as giant movie screens, giant slides and other climb-on pieces
- Fireworks, pyrotechnics and fire dancers
The Event Permit Flowchart or the Frequently Asked Questions (below) may help you determine which permit you may need if your event is located on the Seattle campus.
For events outside the Seattle area, please contact your local fire department.
Staked tents
Most utilities on the Seattle campus were installed decades ago. With erosion and settling, utilities such as gas and water lines may be closer to the surface than expected. Tent installation companies should be reminded to call 8-1-1 prior to penetrating the ground with stakes.
Indoor events
A fire department permit may be required for an indoor event when a building will be used for something other than its intended and approved use.
Some examples:
- A haunted house
- A dance in a library
- A dining event in space not typically used for dining
- A dignitary presentation scheduled for an atrium or other large common space not intended as a major assembly venue
Exiting and emergency systems are designed for the intended use; a special event that introduces many people, seating, tables or hazards such as candles, pyrotechnics or other fire hazards may not be permitted or may require a special permit. In any case, planning is needed and EH&S is available to assist.
Contact EH&S or your local fire department to find out if you need to apply for a Temporary Place of Assembly permit.
If your event is occurring in the Seattle area, find out more information in the Special Events section of the Seattle Fire Department website.
For events outside the Seattle area, please contact your local fire department.
Food permits
A Temporary Food Service Permit is required for most events open to the public at which food will be served.
Find out more about food safety and find out how to apply for the Temporary Food Service Permit on our website.
Frequently asked questions
You are required have an assembly permit (permit code 2503 or 2505) from the City of Seattle if you are hosting an event within the city limits and at least one of the statements below applies to your event:
- More than 99 people are expected to attend and the event site is enclosed.
- Enclosures may be fences, barricades, landscaping, a building courtyard, or anything which limits the ability of attendees to move freely out of the area.
- More than 499 people are expected to attend.
- The event will occupy a fire lane.
- The event will alter or block a building exit.
You are required to have a tent permit (permit code 3201) from the City of Seattle if you are hosting an event within the city limits and at least one of the scenarios below applies to your event.
Scenario 1: You need a permit if
- Your event uses one or more tents or air-supported structures; and
- At least one tent/structure is closed on at least one side (i.e., not a canopy); and
- The area under at least one tent/structure measures more than 400 square feet.
Scenario 2: You need a permit if
- Your event uses one or more tents or air-supported structures; and
- At least one tent/structure is open on all sides (i.e., a canopy); and
- The area under at least one tent/structure measures more than 700 square feet.
Scenario 3: You need a permit if
- Your event uses one or more tents or air-supported structures; and
- The tent/structure is open on all sides (i.e., a canopy); and
- The total area of all canopies measures 700 square feet or less; and
- All canopies are less than 12 feet from any building.
If at least one of the scenarios above applies to your event and you will have a non-electric heating source in at least one tent/structure, you will also need to apply for a permit (code 8206 or 8207). Please also review the Tents and Heaters Information Sheet for safety requirements and tips.
Tents or air-supported structures more than 100 square feet erected inside a building equipped with an automatic sprinkler system require Seattle Fire Department approval.
Review the Seattle Fire Department Tents & Flameproofing page for information about verification of flame retardant/proofing and combustible materials storage.
You are required to have a permit from the City of Seattle if you are hosting an event within the city limits and you will have at least one of the following at your event.
*Open flames include propane, BBQ grills, solid fuels (e.g., charcoal, wax or wood) and liquid fuels (e.g., gasoline or alcohol).
**Sterno cans or butane canisters of 8 oz. or less, used for keeping food warm, are exempted.
You are required to have a permit from the City of Seattle if you are hosting an event within the city limits and you will have pyrotechnics or a fireworks display at your event (permit codes 7801.1, 7801.3, 7802 or 107-SE).
Assistance
For more information about hosting special events on the Seattle campus, contact EH&S or visit the Special Events section of the Seattle Fire Department website. A Seattle Fire Department special events officer can reached at 206.386.1450.
For Seattle campus events, submit permit application(s) at least 30 days before the event to avoid additional fees.
For events off of the Seattle campus, contact your local fire department/district. A list of Fire Department contact information can be found on the Fire Department Contact Information sheet.
If you have further questions or would like EH&S to help plan your event and get the right permits, please contact us.
