Ventura Municipal Code Ch. 8.450 Tents

It shall be unlawful for any person to erect, use or occupy a tent within the city without first obtaining a permit therefor from the council.

A. Definition. “Tent” shall mean any structure whose roof and side enclosures, if any, are made of canvas or other fabric, which roof is not supported on rafters, purlins or other rigid framework except poles and the horizontal ridge members between poles.

B. Scope. This chapter shall apply to the erection, use and occupancy of all tents within the city, except:

1. Those situated on property owned by the 31st Agricultural District of the state of California;

2. Those having a floor area of less than 180 square feet used for noncommercial purposes;

3. Those situated in zones C-1, C-2, M-1 or M-2 of the city when application to the license tax board for a business license is made and granted under the license tax chapter. In this case, the granting of the license shall be deemed to include the permit for the tent when the business is one usually conducted in a tent. (Code 1971, § 4211)

A. Council May Authorize. The council may authorize the granting of a permit for the erection, use or occupancy of a tent provided there be filed with the application for such permit the written consent of the owners of 60 percent of the frontage on both sides of the street or streets within 300 feet of the proposed location and provided a public hearing be held thereon.

B. Application. Application for such permit shall be made to the council by filing the same with the clerk, stating the street location of the proposed tent, the name of the person requesting its erection, use or occupancy, the type of material of which said tent is made, the use to which it will be put, and the period of time for which the permit is requested. The clerk shall thereupon secure the approval or disapproval of the fire chief before submitting the same to the council.

C. Duration. No permit shall be issued for the erection, use or occupancy of any tent for more than 30 days, which said permit shall be revokable by the council at any time before its expiration.

D. Issuance. The council may authorize the building official to issue a permit upon conditions imposed by the council and without cost to the applicant to erect, use or occupy such tent. (Code 1971, § 4212)

It shall be unlawful for any permittee hereunder to fail to remove any tent the permit for which has been revoked or has expired and has not been renewed by the council. (Code 1971, § 4213)