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Tent Permit Plans for Orange County (OCFA Cities)
Planning a tented event in Orange County? Here's what the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) typically asks for, and how we can help you get there faster.
Do I need a permit?
OCFA serves 23 cities and unincorporated Orange County, for example Irvine, Santa Ana, Garden Grove, Tustin, Mission Viejo, San Clemente, and Yorba Linda. Tents, canopies, membrane structures, and cooking under a tent or canopy need an OCFA Special Event Permit. Tent plans are required for tents over 400 sq ft with one or more sidewalls, or over 700 sq ft with no sidewalls. Sidewall tents closer than 20 ft apart, and open tents closer than 12 ft, count as one tent.
OCFA does not serve Anaheim. Tent permit plans for Anaheim.
What OCFA asks for
- Site plan with tent locations, sizes, and distances to buildings, property lines, parking, cooking and food trucks, and generators
- Interior plan with extinguishers, sidewalls, exits, exit and NO SMOKING signs, emergency lighting and its power source, stages, seating and aisles
- CSFM flame certificate
- Maximum occupant count
- Anchoring/ballast documentation required
Tents stay 20 ft from property lines, buildings, other tents, vehicles and engines. Exceptions apply. Spare fuel stays 20 ft from the tent. See OCFA Attachment A for the tent plan thresholds.
Cooking under or near the tent
No open flame or heat sources inside or within 20 ft. Cooking may be allowed with inspector approval.
How the process works
- Apply online through OCFA's Public Services Portal ("Have a Special Event") at least 2 weeks ahead. Later filings may be charged an expedite fee. OCFA Prevention Field Services.
- An electrical permit from the local city building department is needed before the OCFA inspection.
- Tents up more than 180 days are treated as permanent and go to the building department.
How long does review take?
OCFA doesn't publish a set review time, so apply well ahead. Apply at least 2 weeks ahead. Fees are set by OCFA's current schedule.
Source: OCFA special events. Requirements can change, so confirm with OCFA before your event.