Do I need a permit?
If you're holding a special event in West Florence Fire-Rescue's district, fire code likely requires a permit. The Fire Marshal's office reviews applications, inspects the site before opening, and returns during the event for fire and life safety inspections.
Permits are required for:
- Carnivals and fairs
- Exhibits and trade shows
- Fireworks displays (see note below — fireworks have additional requirements)
- Outdoor recreational fires
Contact the Fire Marshal
Phone: (843) 665-8857 or (843) 495-3063
Office: 1033 S Ebenezer Rd., Florence, SC 29501
How to apply
Submit your application in writing to the Fire Marshal's office. Your submission must include:
- Date and time of the event
- Length of the event in days, plus daily hours of operation
- Purpose of the event
- Site plan showing vendor locations, stage location, adjacent buildings and structures, with clearly identifiable distances
- Location and identification of any flammable or combustible materials on site
For tents or membrane structures with an occupant load of 50 or more, your application must also include detailed site and floor plans showing means of egress, seating capacity, seating arrangement, and the location of any heating or electrical equipment.
General requirements during the event
The following must be maintained at all times during the permit period:
- Fire department access ways must be kept clear — both roads leading into the site and roads inside the site
- Hydrants must remain unobstructed, with at least 10 feet of clearance in all directions (tow enforcement is the event coordinator's responsibility)
- The Fire Marshal must have unobstructed access to the site at any time for fire and life safety inspections
- The Fire Marshal may inspect the site before opening — an unsatisfactory inspection may disqualify a vendor from participating
- No fireworks without a separate Fireworks Display permit
Detailed safety requirements
Specific requirements apply by category. Tap any section to expand.
Food vendors & cooking IFC §906, §904.11.5, §308.1.4
All food vendors cooking on site must have proper, currently-tagged fire extinguishers — secured, visible, and immediately available.
- Grills and open-flame cooking: minimum 1-2A:10BC fire extinguisher.
- Frying: "K" class extinguisher required (minimum 1.5 gallon capacity for up to 80 pounds of cooking capacity), comparable to the automatic fire-extinguishing system agent.
- All extinguishers must have a current annual inspection tag from a South Carolina-licensed service provider.
- Open-flame cooking devices must be at least 10 feet from any combustible construction.
Portable LP gas containers IFC Table 6104.3, §3204.16
- Minimum 5 ft from any building.
- Minimum 5 ft from any public walkway.
- Minimum 5 ft from any adjoining property or lot line.
- Minimum 10 ft from any tent or membrane structure.
- LP gas containers must be located outside any tent or membrane structure.
- Safety valves must point away from the tent or membrane structure.
- Containers, piping, valves, and fittings located outside but used to fuel equipment inside a tent must be protected from tampering and vehicle damage, and located in an approved spot.
- Containers must be securely fastened to prevent unauthorized movement.
Flammable & combustible liquids IFC §3104.17
- Flammable liquid-fueled equipment must not be used inside tents or membrane structures.
- Flammable liquids must be stored outside in an approved manner, at least 50 ft from tents or membrane structures.
- Refueling must be performed in approved locations at least 20 ft from tents or membrane structures.
Generators & internal combustion power IFC §3104.19
- Generators and other internal combustion power sources must be at least 20 ft from tents and membrane structures.
- They must be isolated from public contact by fencing, enclosure, or other approved means.
Tents & membrane structures IFC Chapter 31
Tents or membrane structures over 400 square feet require a permit and Fire Marshal approval before being erected, operated, or maintained — with limited exceptions for recreational camping or open-sided tents that meet specific size criteria.
Open-sided exception requires all of:
- Individual tent maximum size of 700 sq ft
- Aggregate area of multiple tents placed side-by-side without a 12-foot fire break: not exceeding 700 sq ft
- Minimum 12 ft clearance to all structures and tents
Construction & operation:
- Adequately roped, braced, and anchored to withstand weather and prevent collapse.
- Cooking tents must be flame-resistant with a permanent label meeting NFPA 702 flame-propagation requirements.
- Smoking is not permitted in tents, canopies, trailers, booths, or membrane structures. Approved "No Smoking" signs must be conspicuously posted.
- Open flame, fire, heat, charcoal, flammable/combustible liquids, gas, or unapproved cooking devices are not permitted inside tents larger than 700 sq ft (or aggregate areas of 700+ sq ft).
- Outdoor cooking that produces sparks or grease-laden vapors must not be performed within 20 ft of a tent or membrane structure.
Fireworks events have additional requirements
Fireworks displays are subject to a separate, more comprehensive policy. Contact the Fire Marshal early — fireworks events typically need significant lead time and additional documentation.
Download the official policy
The full Policy Memorandum (FM-02-05) covers everything on this page in formal regulatory language, including direct references to the 2012 International Fire Code. Share it with your event planning team or save a copy for your records.
Special Event Permit Requirements (FM-02-05) Policy memorandum, 3 pages · 173 KB DownloadNote: this policy references the 2012 International Fire Code. Code editions may have been updated since the policy was issued (April 13, 2014). Contact the Fire Marshal to confirm current requirements for your event.
Questions?
If you have questions or need clarification on any requirement that pertains to your event, contact the Fire Marshal directly at (843) 665-8857 or (843) 495-3063.
Plan early. Apply early.
The earlier you contact the Fire Marshal, the smoother your event will go. Reach out as soon as you have your dates and a draft site plan.