Guidelines
Special Events Guideline- Vendor Fair
Do I need to apply for a special event permit?
The Fire and Building Safety (FABS) team is responsible for enforcing certain code requirements pertaining to potentially hazardous activities, equipment, and structures commonly associated with special events. The list below has been developed to provide clarification and support for organizations, staff, faculty, and members of the public who will be hosting or participating in a special event, whether located inside or outside University of California, Merced buildings/property.
While this list is not exclusive, the following activities require a special event permit:
- Temporary tents, canopies, and membrane structures
- Any event where expected attendance is 50 or more, whether located inside or outside.
- Construction and use of temporary structures like haunted houses and mazes.
- Fireworks, spark machines, smoke machines, stage effects and pyrotechnics
- Special effects using fire, such as fire dancers, and other performances using fire.
- Campus space being used for other than normal purposes, including any activities not in compliance with the building certificate of occupancy (e.g., use of an instructional area for an overnight event)
- Carnivals fairs, festivals, and popup tent events
- Pit BBQs, bonfires, and campfires
- Use of candles or open flame for any venue
- Display of vehicles in places of assembly
- Cooking under a tent, canopy, or membrane structure; cooking vendors, or demonstrations
- Temporary generators
- Tabling
- Locations that could impact access by emergency vehicles, such as street or road closures, including obstruction of fire lanes.
- Overnight group outings not located in dorm facilities.
- Outside events utilizing a canopy (10 x 10) – Canopy must have the following tag on it (see photos below)
