Subject: Amusement Buildings 

Revised: April 2025 

Purpose: Special Amusement Building operational permit is required due to the safety concerns as they pertain to the ability of occupants to readily exit in the event of an emergency. Amusement building operational permits shall be renewed annually or if the pathway or movement through the building changes. Special Amusement Building is defined by the adopted code as, a building that is temporary, permanent or mobile that contains a device or system that conveys passengers or provides a walkway along, around or over a course in any direction as a form of amusement arranged so that the egress path is not readily apparent due to visual or audio distractions or an intentionally confounded egress path, or is not readily available because of the mode of conveyance through the building or structure. 

Fees: $300.00 Annually 

Requirements: An Amusement Buildings permit will be issued once an application has been completed appropriately, all applicable documents have been uploaded, reviewed, and approved.  

Applications will be completed electronically, and all required documentation shall be uploaded electronically. There shall be no paper submissions. Permit application shall be completed and submitted through the approved Harris County software program. Once the application is received along with all required documentation, the Fire Code Official will conduct a review. When the permit process is complete, and authorization is given, the applicant will be notified that the permit is issued, and the duration of the permit will be indicated.  

All Amusement Buildings permit applications will begin with generalized information requirements. This information will pertain to the property information/property owner’s information/application information/project name.  

When applying for an Amusement Buildings operational permit the applicant shall provide the following information:  

• Site map identifying the location of all on-site fire suppression to include fire pumps, ponds, water supplies, layout of fire lanes, gas meter, and Knox Box if installed. If renewing an amusement building operational permit and no changes have been made to your facility from previous permit cycle, a written statement claiming no changes have been made can be submitted in lieu of plans; 

• A drawing/ floor plan of building including all entrance and exits, location of primary and secondary exit routes, locations of fire extinguishers, fire protection system panels, risers, and/or other fire protection control systems and/or panels, etc. If renewing an amusement building operational permit and no changes have been made to your facility from previous permit cycle, a written statement claiming no changes have been made can be submitted in lieu of plans; 

• Information on types of fire alarm systems installed and last inspection date (provide last inspection report or photo of current inspection tag(s). This shall include all fire alarm systems or other gas detection systems at the facility; 

• Information on installed sprinkler systems and last inspection date (provide last inspection report or photo of current inspection tag(s). This shall include all fire sprinkler systems at the facility; 

• Information on fire extinguishers or any type of alternate (including but not limited to automatic hood suppression, paint booth systems, clean agent) fire protection system installed and last inspection date (provide last inspection report or photo of current inspection tag(s); 

• A copy of the emergency plan, compliant with Chapter 4 of the International Fire Code, current adopted edition; 

If one or more of the requested documents does not apply to your location, please submit in writing a reason for not submitting. 

Denial: If it is determined that an application fails to meet the requirements as set forth in this standard or the applicant refuses to provide all required documentation, the fire code official shall not issue a permit, but shall return the application to the applicant with explanation for refusal.  

Revocation: The fire code official is authorized to revoke a permit where it is found that there has been false statements or misrepresentation as to the material facts in the application or supporting documentation on which the approval and issuance was based, the permit was issued to a different person or firm than named on the permit, the permittee failed, refused or neglected to comply with orders or notices duly served in accordance with the provisions of this code within the time provided therein, or the permit was issued in error or in violation of an ordinance, regulation or this code.