Tents & Temporary Structures

Tents in DC are permitted by the Department of Buildings (DOB) through its online tent permit service; a tent on a sidewalk, street or alley also needs DDOT approval. DC does not publish one size threshold, so check with DOB for your tent’s size and site. Source: DC Department of Buildings: Tent permit

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Arlington County’s Fire Marshal requires a permit for a tent over 900 square feet, at public and private events alike. Tents less than 12 feet apart are added together, so two 20×30 tents side by side need one. Source: Arlington County Fire Marshal: Tents

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In Alexandria, tents go through the Fire Marshal’s Office and Code Administration at the Permit Center (703-746-4200). Call the Permit Center to confirm what your tent needs before you book. Source: City of Alexandria: Special event permits

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In the City of Fairfax, tent permits come from the Fire Department’s Code Administration office (703-385-7830). Its published thresholds predate the current fire code, so confirm with the office for your tent; wiring inside a tent needs an electrical permit. Source: City of Fairfax: Tent permit packet

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Fairfax County’s Fire Marshal requires a permit, applied for through PLUS, for a tent over 900 square feet or with an occupant load of 50 or more. Tents less than 12 feet apart count as one. Zoning approval may also be needed first. Source: Fairfax County Fire Marshal: Tents

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Falls Church’s Fire Marshal requires a temporary tent permit for a tent over 400 square feet; an open-sided tent up to 700 square feet for fewer than 50 people is exempt. Over 900 square feet also needs a building permit. Apply at least 10 business days ahead. Source: City of Falls Church: Temporary tent permit

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Fairfax County’s Fire Marshal requires a permit, applied for through PLUS, for a tent over 900 square feet or with an occupant load of 50 or more. Tents less than 12 feet apart count as one. Zoning approval may also be needed first. The Town of Vienna may require its own zoning approval as well. Source: Fairfax County Fire Marshal: Tents

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Fairfax County’s Fire Marshal requires a permit, applied for through PLUS, for a tent over 900 square feet or with an occupant load of 50 or more. Tents less than 12 feet apart count as one. Zoning approval may also be needed first. The Town of Herndon may require its own zoning approval as well. Source: Fairfax County Fire Marshal: Tents

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Loudoun County’s Fire Marshal requires a permit for a tent, or tents combined, over 900 square feet. Apply through LandMARC and allow at least two weeks; the permit must be issued before the tent goes up. Source: Loudoun County tent permit flyer

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Virginia’s Statewide Fire Prevention Code requires a permit from the local fire official before a tent or membrane structure over 900 square feet goes up. Source: Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code

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Prince William County requires a permit, through the Building Development Division’s ePortal, for a tent over 900 square feet or with an occupant load over 50. Submit at least four weeks before the event. Source: Prince William County: Tent permitting

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In the City of Manassas, a tent over 900 square feet or for more than 50 people needs both a building permit and a fire prevention permit from the Fire Marshal. Source: City of Manassas: Zoning permits

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Montgomery County’s code requires a permit for a tent over 120 square feet used by 10 or more people, so anything larger than a 10×12 canopy usually needs one. The Department of Permitting Services handles tent permits. Source: Montgomery County Code §22-42

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For events licensed by the City of Rockville, a tent 12×12 feet or larger needs a permit, and 10×10 tents joined together count as one larger tent. Rockville handles building permits through MGO Connect. Source: City of Rockville event license application

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Gaithersburg requires a tent permit from Permitting & Inspections (301-258-6330) for tents 12×12 feet or larger, and for some layouts of smaller tents that touch. Apply months ahead if you can: special event applications are not accepted less than four weeks before the event. Source: City of Gaithersburg: Special event permit

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Tents at special events in Prince George’s County go through the Department of Permitting, Inspections and Enforcement (DPIE), with a temporary use and occupancy permit. Apply about 45 days ahead. The county does not publish a single size threshold, so ask DPIE about your tent. Source: Prince George’s County special event permit form

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The City of Laurel has its own Department of the Fire Marshal and Permit Services, with an online permit portal; ask it about tents for your event. Source: City of Laurel: Permits

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Howard County requires a permit for any tent over 120 square feet. The fabric must meet NFPA 701 flame resistance, and the tent must stand 10 feet from buildings. Source: Howard County Fire and Rescue: Special events

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In Annapolis, tents need a fire permit, applied for through Planning & Zoning with a Fire Marshal inspection. The city does not publish a size threshold, so ask when you apply. Source: City of Annapolis: Permit process

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In Frederick County parks, tents 240 square feet or larger need a special request permit and a certificate of insurance. For a tent on private property, ask the Frederick County Fire Marshal (301-600-1479). Source: Frederick County Parks: Park rules

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