Section 3103 — TEMPORARY TENTS AND MEMBRANE STRUCTURES — 2025 California Fire Code (Title 24, Part 9)

3103.1 General. ¶

3103.1 General. Tents and membrane structures used for temporary periods shall comply with this section and Section 3107. Other temporary structures erected for a period of 180 days or less shall comply with the California Building Code .

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3103.2 Approval required. ¶

3103.2 Approval required. Tents and membrane structures required to have a permit, as set forth in Sections 105.5 and 105.6, shall not be erected, operated or maintained for any purpose without first obtaining a permit and approval from the fire code official.

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3103.3 Outdoor assembly event. ¶

3103.3 Outdoor assembly event. For the purposes of this chapter, an outdoor assembly event shall include a circus, carnival, tent show, theater, skating rink, dance hall or other place of assembly in or under which persons gather for any purpose. 3103.3.1 Special amusement area. Tents and other membrane structures erected as a special amusement area shall be equipped with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 914.7.1.

provision permitted lot commission district approval parking minimum height dwelling application requirement review coverage subject setback occupancy development standard accessory yard section structure compliance use provision permitted lot commission district approval parking minimum height dwelling application requirement review coverage subject setback occupancy development standard accessory yard section structure compliance use provision permitted lot commission district approval parking minimum height dwelling application requirement review coverage subject setback

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3103.4 Use period. ¶

3103.4 Use period. Temporary tents, air-supported, air-inflated or tensioned membrane structures shall not be erected for a period of more than 180 days within a 12-month period on a single premises.

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3103.5 Construction documents. ¶

3103.5 Construction documents. A detailed site and floor plan for tents or membrane structures with an occupant load of 50 or more shall be provided with each application for approval. The tent or membrane structure floor plan shall indicate details of the means of egress facilities, seating capacity, arrangement of the seating and location and type of heating and electrical equipment. The construction documents shall include an analysis of structural stability. Water-filled vessels used to anchor a tent or membrane structure shall be in accordance with Section 3103.8.1.

provision permitted lot commission district approval parking minimum height dwelling application requirement review coverage subject setback occupancy development standard accessory yard section structure compliance use provision permitted lot commission district approval parking minimum height dwelling application requirement review coverage subject setback occupancy development standard accessory yard section structure compliance use provision permitted lot commission district approval parking minimum height dwelling application requirement review coverage subject setback occupancy development standard accessory yard section structure compliance use provision permitted lot commission district approval

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3103.6 Inspections. ¶

3103.6 Inspections. The entire tent, air-supported, air-inflated or tensioned membrane structure system shall be inspected at regular intervals, but not less than two times per permit use period, by the permittee, owner or agent to determine that the installation is maintained in accordance with this chapter. Exception: Permit use periods of less than 30 days. 3103.6.1 Inspection report. Where required by the fire code official, an inspection report shall be provided and shall consist of maintenance, anchors and fabric inspections.

provision permitted lot commission district approval parking minimum height dwelling application requirement review coverage subject setback occupancy development standard accessory yard section structure compliance use provision permitted lot commission district approval parking minimum height dwelling application requirement review coverage subject setback occupancy development standard accessory yard section structure compliance use provision permitted lot commission district approval parking minimum height dwelling application requirement review coverage subject setback occupancy development standard accessory yard section structure compliance use provision permitted lot commission district approval

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3103.7 Access, location and parking. ¶

3103.7 Access, location and parking. Access, location and parking for temporary tents and membrane structures shall be in accordance with this section. 3103.7.1 Access. Fire apparatus access roads shall be provided in accordance with Section 503. 3103.7.2 Location. T ents or membrane structures shall not be located within 20 feet (6096 mm) of lot lines, buildings, other tents or membrane structures, parked vehicles or internal combustion engines. For the purpose of determining required distances, support ropes and guy wires shall be considered as part of the temporary membrane structure or…

provision permitted lot commission district approval parking minimum height dwelling application requirement review coverage subject setback occupancy development standard accessory yard section structure compliance use provision permitted lot commission district approval parking minimum height dwelling application requirement review coverage subject setback occupancy development standard accessory yard section structure compliance use provision permitted lot commission district approval parking minimum height dwelling application requirement review coverage subject setback occupancy development standard accessory yard section structure compliance use provision permitted lot commission district approval parking minimum height dwelling application requirement review coverage subject setback occupancy development standard accessory yard section structure compliance use provision permitted lot commission district approval parking minimum height dwelling application requirement review coverage subject setback occupancy development standard accessory yard section structure compliance use

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3103.8 Structural stability and anchorage required. ¶

3103.8 Structural stability and anchorage required. Tents or membrane structures and their appurtenances shall be designed and installed to withstand the elements of weather and prevent collapsing. Documentation of structural stability shall be furnished to the fire code official. 31-4 2025 CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER. TENTS, TEMPORARY SPECIAL EVENT STRUCTURES AND OTHER MEMBRANE STRUCTURES 3103.8.1 Water-filled vessels. Water-filled vessels shall be permitted to be used where approved and in accordance with the tent or membrane structure manufacturer’s load…

provision permitted lot commission district approval parking minimum height dwelling application requirement review coverage subject setback occupancy development standard accessory yard section structure compliance use provision permitted lot commission district approval parking minimum height dwelling application requirement review coverage subject setback occupancy development standard accessory yard section structure compliance use provision permitted lot commission district approval parking minimum height dwelling application requirement review coverage subject setback occupancy development standard accessory yard section structure compliance use provision permitted lot commission district approval parking minimum height dwelling application requirement review coverage subject setback occupancy development standard accessory yard section structure compliance use provision permitted lot commission district approval parking minimum height dwelling application requirement review coverage subject setback occupancy development standard accessory yard section structure compliance use

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3103.9 Temporary air-supported and air-inflated membrane structures. ¶

3103.9 Temporary air-supported and air-inflated membrane structures. Temporary air-supported and air-inflated membrane structures shall be in accordance with Sections 3103.9.1 through 3103.9.4. 3103.9.1 Door operation. During high winds exceeding 50 miles per hour (22 m/s) or in snow conditions, the use of doors in airsupported structures shall be controlled to avoid excessive air loss. Doors shall not be left open. 3103.9.2 Fabric envelope design and construction. Air-supported and air-inflated structures shall have the design and construction of the fabric envelope and the method of…

provision permitted lot commission district approval parking minimum height dwelling application requirement review coverage subject setback occupancy development standard accessory yard section structure compliance use provision permitted lot commission district approval parking minimum height dwelling application requirement review coverage subject setback occupancy development standard accessory yard section structure compliance use provision permitted lot commission district approval parking minimum height dwelling application requirement review coverage subject setback occupancy development standard accessory yard section structure compliance use provision permitted lot commission district approval parking minimum height dwelling application requirement review coverage subject setback occupancy development standard accessory yard section structure compliance use provision permitted lot commission district approval parking minimum height dwelling application requirement review coverage subject setback occupancy development standard accessory yard section structure compliance use

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3103.10 Seating arrangements. ¶

3103.10 Seating arrangements. Seating in tents or membrane structures shall be in accordance with Chapter 10.

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3103.11 Means of egress. ¶

3103.11 Means of egress. Means of egress for temporary tents and membrane structures shall be in accordance with Sections 3103.11.1 through 3103.11.8. 3103.11.1 Distribution. Exits shall be spaced at approximately equal intervals around the perimeter of the tent or membrane structure, and shall be located such that all points are 100 feet (30 480 mm) or less from an exit. 3103.11.2 Number. Tents or membrane structures or a usable portion thereof shall have not less than one exit and not less than the number of exits required by Table 3103.11.2. The total width of means of egress in inches…

provision permitted lot commission district approval parking minimum height dwelling application requirement review coverage subject setback occupancy development standard accessory yard section structure compliance use provision permitted lot commission district approval parking minimum height dwelling application requirement review coverage subject setback occupancy development standard accessory yard section structure compliance use provision permitted lot commission district approval parking minimum height dwelling application requirement review coverage subject setback occupancy development standard accessory yard section structure compliance use provision permitted lot commission district approval parking minimum height dwelling application requirement review coverage subject setback occupancy development standard accessory yard section structure compliance use provision permitted lot commission district approval parking minimum height dwelling application requirement review coverage subject setback occupancy development standard accessory yard section structure compliance use

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