Columbia Fire Department
Special Events Permit Information

Permits shall be obtained from the Columbia Fire Department for the use of open flames, cooking or heating appliances, tents or canopies, air-supported and inflated devices or structures (jump castles, slides, etc.), combustible decorative materials, special amusement structures, compressed gas or the blocking of emergency access roads. Permits shall be obtained from the Columbia Fire Department, 201 Orr Street, 573-874-7556, between 8:00am and 5:00pm Monday through Friday. The following guidelines are general requirements. Specific requirements will be stated at the time of permit application review and approval.

Street Closures

• Fire department access shall be maintained by providing a minimum 20' wide unobstructed roadway width. Exception: Parades

Cooking and Mobile Food Vending

• Cooking shall be conducted in an approved appliance.
• Concession stands utilized for cooking shall have a minimum of 10 feet of clearance on two sides to other vendor booths or rides.
• A Class K fire extinguisher shall be provided for deep-fat fryers. In addition, a 4A-40BC extinguisher shall be provided for other cooking appliances.
• Open flame cooking shall be located away from combustibles and no closer than 20' to a tent or canopy.
• Propane gas cylinders shall be secured from falling and shall not be stored in a vehicle.

To learn more and to print a check list of requirements for mobile coking devices, click here.

Combustible Vegetation/Decorative Materials

• Combustible decorative materials shall be treated and maintained fire resistant. Exception: Salable goods and live vegetation

Heat Producing Appliances/Open Flame

• Open flames and hot objects shall not be used unless approved.
• When the fire department determines that smoking constitutes a fire hazard in any area, smoking shall be prohibited and No Smoking signs shall be posted.

Air-supported and Inflated Devices or Structures

• Air supported and inflated devices shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer's guidelines and shall be adequately braced and anchored.
• An operator familiar with all operating and safety guidelines shall be present at the device at all times.

Tents and Canopies

• Tents in excess of 400 sq. ft. and canopies in excess of 700 sq. ft. require a permit.
• A site plan shall be submitted to the Fire Department showing location on property, fencing, exiting, parking, cooking/heating appliances, generators, emergency lighting, fire extinguishers, aisle, and seating arrangements.
• Tents shall not be located within 20 feet of property lines, buildings, other tents, parked vehicles or internal combustion engines.
• Tents and canopies shall be flame retardant and bear a permanently affixed label.
• Tents and canopies shall be adequately anchored and braced.
• All decorations shall be flame retardant.
• Exiting arrangements, occupant loads, seating and aisles requirements and emergency lighting will be reviewed in accordance with the requirements of the Building and Fire Codes.
• Fire extinguishers shall be provided. One for 2-500 sq. ft., two for 500-1000 sq. ft. and one for each additional 2000 sq. ft.
• No Smoking signs shall be posted.

Special Amusement Buildings

• Defined as a building that conveys people or provides a walkway around in any direction so that the egress path is not readily apparent due to distractions.
• Automatic sprinklers and smoke detection system shall be installed in buildings used in this manner.
• Emergency lighting and adequate exiting shall be required.
• All combustible decorative materials shall be fire resistive.