The Board of Housing and Community Development adopts the Virginia Amusement Device Regulations (VADR) to regulate “amusement devices” defined as:

• Devices or structures open to the public by which persons are conveyed or moved in an unusual manner for diversion; and
• Passenger tramways.

The VADR prescribes uniform statewide regulations to be complied with for the construction, maintenance, inspection, and operation of amusement devices, whether mobile or affixed to a site. Enforcement of the VADR is the responsibility of each local government’s building inspection department. The local government may charge fees to defray the costs of enforcement and appeals arising from the application of the VADR.

The board bases the technical requirements of the VADR on nationally accepted standards and makes as few amendments as possible. Local government has not been granted the authority to amend the provisions of the VADR. The purpose is to benefit the citizens of Virginia by promoting efficiency and safety in the amusement device industry, many aspects of which are interstate in nature.

The VADR supplements the provisions of the Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC) for the purpose of protecting the health, safety and welfare of amusement device users. Provisions are included in the regulations for:

• the inspection of amusement devices;
• the reporting and investigation of accidents;
• the certification of amusement device inspectors;
• the qualifications and conduct of operators; and
• an administrative appeals system for resolution of disagreements between code officials and amusement device owners or operators.

For assistance regarding the application and enforcement of the VADR, please contact the local building inspection department in your locality.

Registration:

• Every amusement ride or attraction is required to be registered with the State and inspected prior to its first use in the State.  Each county in Virginia has its own rules and forms, so you must contact your local jurisdiction.
• There is a fee for registering amusement attractions with the County.

Inspections:

• Certified amusement device inspectors must perform the inspections of amusement devices. Certified inspectors may be employees of the local government or may be independent inspectors that are paid for by the amusement device owners or operators.
• After the amusement device is inspected and determined to comply with the standards under the VADR, the device is affixed with an Inspection Seal (look for white sticker with picture of Virgina State).
• There is a fee for an inspection;  fee amount depending upon whether the inspection is performed by a State Inspector or Private Inspector.

For more information about the VADR, contact:

State Building Code Office
Commonwealth of Virginia
501 North Second Street
Richmond, VA 23219
Phone: (804) 371-7160
Website: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

EACH COUNTY IN VIRGINIA HAS ITS OWN DEPARTMENT THAT HANDLES AMUSEMENT RIDE PERMITS AND APPLICATIONS.

For more information on Amusement Device Permit and Applications for these counties, contact:

Fairfax County:

Department of Environmental Management
12055 Government Center Parkway
2^nd Floor
Fairfax, VA  22035
Phone: (703) 222-0801

Prince William County

Prince William County Government
1 County Complex Court
Prince William, VA 22192
Phone: (703) 792-6000
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Loudoun County

Loudoun County Government
P.O. Box 7000
Leesburg VA 20177
Phone: (703) 777-0100

Arlington County

Special Events Permit and Plan for Indoor or Outdoor Assemblages, Carnivals, Fairs and Festivals are required under the Fire Prevention Code.
Arlington County Fire Prevention Division
Phone: (703) 228-4644.

Alexandria County

Code Administration Main Office
301 King Street Room 4200 (City Hall)
Alexandria, VA 22314
Permit Center Phone: (703) 746-4200
Fax: (703) 838-3880
Website: www.alexandriava.gov/code

DLLR's Division of Labor and Industry

Amusement Attraction Inspections - Safety Inspections

The Amusement Safety Inspection Program operates under Title 3 of the Business Regulation Article and provides inspections for amusement rides and attractions erected permanently or temporarily at carnivals, fairs and amusement parks throughout Maryland. This includes inspections for passenger ropeways, such as those that exist at ski resorts. Our mission is to prevent injuries, protect property, and save lives of individuals using amusement attractions in the State through an on-site competent and professional inspection.

General Information:

An owner may not operate an amusement attraction, at a event which is open to the general public or held on public grounds, unless the amusement attraction has been registered, inspected, and a certificate of inspection issued by the Commissioner of Labor and Industry.

Registration:

• Amusement Rides or attractions must be registered with the State, annually,  in order to operate within the State.
• There is no fee for registering amusement attractions with the Division of Labor and Industry (DLLR).  (Look for a yellow registration tag/sticker near the ride, with the current year decal to know the ride has been refistered and has a valid date to operate).

 Inspections:

• An Amusement Attraction Inspection Request Form must be submitted to the State by the company providing the amusement ride.Inspections are performed by State Inspectors.
• There is no inspection fee.
• Certificates for non-inflatable rides and attractions at fairs and carnivals are valid for not more than 30 days.
• Each time an inflatable ride or attraction is set up for the first time in a year, it must be inspected by a State inspector and a new certificate issued before public operation; the certificate for an inflatable ride or attraction is valid for up to 1 year.
• Each time a non-inflatable ride or attraction is moved to a new location, it must be inspected by a State inspector and a new certificate issued before public operation.
• Upon a completed inspection, the State Inspector will issue a yellow inspection sticker and will give a copy of the inspection to the ride owner).

For additional information, contact:

Division of Labor and Industry
Amusement Attraction Inspections
1100 N. Eutaw Street - Room 601
Baltimore, MD 21201
Phone (410) 767-2348
Fax: (410) 333-7683
Website: http://www.dllr.state.md.us/labor/safety/amussafety.shtml
Emergency telephone number: (410) 767-2990

Report Amusement Ride related accidents, injuries, unsafe conditions, questions or concerns 24/7 to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Bureau of Ride & Measurement Standards

The Bureau's Amusement Ride Safety Program serves citizens and visitors by enforcing the safety laws specific to amusement rides and attractions, keeping them safe when enjoying leisure time at state fairs, carnivals, and amusement parks. The Amusement Ride Safety Program uses an effective public/private program that encompasses regulation, education and training to protect those who live and play in PA.

General Information:

An owner may not operate an amusement ride or attraction, at an event (public or private), unless the amusement attraction has been registered, inspected, and an affidavit of inspection issued by a licensed inspector.  Many owners are inspectors and can inspect their own equipment.

Registration:

• Amusement Rides or attractions must be registered with the State, annually,  in order to operate within the State
• There is no fee for registering amusement attractions with the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA) (look for a silver aluminum plate near the ride, with the current year decal to know the ride has been registered and has a valid date to operate).
  

Inspections:

• There is no inspection fee, unless a private inspector is required.
• Each time an amusement ride or attraction is set up, it must be inspected by a certified inspector and a new affidavit of inspection issued before operation.  Quality control inspections are conducted by State Inspectors on a frequent and random schedule.
• Upon a completed inspection, the inspector will issue an affidavit of inspection.

For additional information, contact:

Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture
Ride & Measurement Standards
2301 North Cameron Street
Harrisburg, PA 17110
Phone: (717) 787-6772
Website: http://www.agriculture.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/gateway/PTARGS_0_2_24476_10297_0_43/AgWebsite/Page.aspx?name=Contact&navid=26&parentnavid=0&pageid=35&

Pursuant to title 19, chapter 13 of the DCMR: A special event is a circus, rodeo, carnival, fair, performance, singing, playing of musical or other instruments, dancing or amusement of any kind, preaching, exhorting, or lecturing conducted or operating in a tent or temporary structure of any kind, on vacant land, or in a yard or area appurtenant to any building. A special event license is necessary on public or private space.

Registration:

Every event, whether public or private, is required to be registered with the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA)

• There are application fees ($70.00) plus Endorsement Fees ($25.00) plus a Category License Fee ($205.00 per day of event if submitted 30 days in advance of event date;  if submitted within less than 30 days prior to event date, there are additional expediting fees).  
• On the application, if you would like amusement rides or attractions, you will have to make sure the company providing such rides or attractions is 1) registered to do business in the District of Columbia; and 2) has a General Business License or Basic Business License in the District of Columbia.

Specific Category Application Requirements:

Mayor’s Special Events Task Group
For all events taking place on Public Space, the applicant must submit a written request to the (MSETG) Mayor’s Special Events Task Group with a full description and diagram of the event within a minimum of one hundred and twenty (120) business days prior to the proposed scheduled date of the event. If your event is taking place in public space and you are requesting a street closure the event must have the approval of the MSETG. The MSETG is located at 2720 Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue, SE Phone – (202) 481-3067or via fax (202) 673- 2290.

Special Events Application - Questionnaire
Applicants must fill out a Special Events Questionnaire to obtain a Special Events License before operating a special event, on both, Public Space or private property in the District of Columbia. In order to avoid expediting fees, the completed Special Events License Application and with signatory approval must be submitted at least 30 days prior to the date of the event to the Special Events Coordinator at 1100 4^th St SW Washington DC 20012.  Phone - (202) 442-4310 or reference www.dcra.dc.gov.

Permitting - Required Documentation
If the event includes any temporary structures the applicant must submit a Building Permit Application with four copies of the site plan and all supporting documents applicable to submitting a Building Permit application for stages, tents, fencing or bleachers.  Describe (if applicable) any structures, size and materials.  Also submit a letter which describes the location, date(s) and timeline of the event.  Please be sure to include the time and date of Load In and Load Out for the event to complete the event set-up and break down.  On the event date, your site will be inspected, and must be approved by structural, electrical and fire safety inspectors before opening to the public.

License - Signatory Approval                                                                                  

When submitting a completed Special Event Application, organizers must submit a consent list with the signature of 75% of the resident housekeepers and occupants of business establishments within a distance of three hundred (300) feet from the perimeter of the area where the activity will take place.  DCRA will assist in the generation of the blank consent list. The list must contain the name and street address, in numerical order of the residents and business occupants who have consented to the activity by providing their signature on the list. Each petition page of the list shall contain, a detailed explanation of the proposed activity including the event title with dates and hours the activity will take place.  Applicants who do not provide the full 75% signatory approval will not be granted a Special Event License.

For additional information, contact:

Government of the District of Columbia
Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs
Business and Professional License Administration
1100 4th Street, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20024
Phone: (202) 442-4310
Fax: (202) 442-4523
Website: http://dcra.dc.gov