Tents

Tents, Canopies or Temporary Shelters

Depending on the size and/or configuration of your tents, you may be required to obtain a building permit. According to the Ontario Building Code (2012), a tent or group of tents is exempt from the requirement to obtain a building permit if the tents are:

For tents larger than 323 square feet (30 m²) a Fire Safety Plan may be required. For tents larger than 654 square feet (60 m²) a Building Permit is required.

Please contact Building Services by email at bldgdept@leamington.ca or by phone at 519-326-5761 Ext. 1440 to determine whether or not a building permit is required for your tent. 

Please contact Fire Services at 519-326-6291 Ext. 3245 to determine whether or not a Fire Safety Plan is required for your tent or group of tents. 

Temporary Structures for Special Events

The Ontario Ministry of Labour has issued guidelines to help Event Organizers understand their obligations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act and its regulations related to the design, erection, use, dismantling and maintenance of temporary performance/event structures that are used either indoors or outdoors. The guidelines cover:

• Design and materials
• Positioning
• Planning and control of work
• Inspections
• Operations Management Plans (OMP)

If you are planning to erect a temporary structure as part of your event, you will need to notify the Ministry of Labour, especially if the temporary structure:

• Will be used for multi-day events
• Requires large equipment such as cranes to assemble the temporary structure
• Requires separate temporary structures for sound, lighting, pyrotechnics, video equipment, etc. 

For more information, please refer to the Ministry of Labour Safety Guideline for the Live Performance Industry in Ontario.