Title
Amending Chapter 55.04 of the Legislative Code pertaining to the Fire Code - permit fees for tents.
Body
SECTION 1
WHEREAS, in support of Mayor Carter’s 2023 budget, the Department of Safety and Inspections (DSI) seeks to increase fire code permit fees for tents, as detailed in Chapter 55.04 of the Saint Paul Legislative Code, by 8%; and
WHEREAS, the fee increases proposed more accurately reflect the cost of providing permits and related services; and
WHEREAS, DSI continues to experience substantial growth in personnel costs such as health care and wages; and
WHEREAS, General Fund pressures create the need to decrease the gap between permit fee revenue and program expenses.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Saint Paul does hereby ordain:
SECTION 2
Section 55.04 of the Saint Paul Legislative Code is hereby amended to read as follows:
(a) As required by and in compliance with the Minnesota State Fire Code, no person may erect or allow to be erected any air-supported temporary membrane structure or individual tents having a total foot print area in excess of two hundred (200) square feet or any individual canopy having a total footprint area in excess of four hundred (400) square feet without a tent permit.
(b) Any temporary membrane structure, tent, or canopy erected at a special event requires a permit prior to its erection. The permit, which will cover all membrane structures, tents, or canopies at the event, can be obtained by the tent contractor or event sponsor, but it is the responsibility of the event sponsor to insure that the appropriate permit is obtained.
(c) A permit applicant must apply on a form provided by the department of safety and inspections, and submitted prior to the erection of any membrane structure, tent, or canopy. An on-site inspection and approval shall be required before any temporary membrane structure, tent and/or canopy can be occupied.
(d) The person sponsoring, promoting, or organizing the event shall obtain any other necessary licenses or permits, before any temporary membrane structure, tent and/or canopy is erected and occupied. These permits and licenses may include, but are not limited to, extension of service licenses, special event food licenses, hazardous materials permits or electrical permits.
(e) No smoking shall be allowed in any temporary membrane structure or tent.
(f) For temporary membrane structures, tents and/or canopies requiring a tent permit, the tent permit fee shall be based on the total foot print area, in square feet, of all temporary membrane structures, tents and/or canopies being erected. Temporary membrane structures, tents and/or canopies exempt from obtaining a permit under subpart (a) of this section shall not be included in the total foot print area.
(g) The tent permit fee shall be one hundred thirty-three dollars ($133.00) one hundred forty-four dollars ($144.00) for the first three thousand (3,000) square feet or fraction thereof, of foot print area, plus three dollars ($3.00) per one thousand (1,000) square feet or fraction thereof, of foot print area over three thousand (3,000) square feet.
SECTION 3
This Ordinance shall take effect and be in force thirty (30) days following its passage, approval, and publication.