Tent regulations tougher this year

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Tent rental companies in Indianapolis face tighter regulations compared to last year when it comes to erecting tents and canopies.

The city requires paperwork to be filled out for even the smallest of tents. Larger tents require inspections from code enforcement.

"Having new regulations from the city, it's a bit of a daunting task,” said Kenny Montgomery of Montgomery Tent and Awning. “A lot of paperwork. It's an extra inspection over and above what had been taking place"

He said engineered tents can withstand strong wind gusts of 70 mph or more. However, under current city codes, a tent must be evacauted when winds reach 75 percent of the tent’s top wind speed rating.

The state codes are also stringent. Tents larger than 200 square feet need a permit. Canopies - tents without walls - larger than 400 square feet also require a permit.