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SEC-013: Tent Use on University Property

Date: 06/30/2005 Status: Final
Last Revised: 08/26/2024
Policy Type: University
Oversight Executive: Associate Vice President for Safety & Security and Chief of Police
Applies To:

Academic Division and the Medical Center.

Reason for Policy:

To protect property, life and health of individuals attending functions conducted in tent facilities and to ensure that all fire safety regulations pertaining to the use of such structure are followed.

Definition of Terms in Statement:
  • Tent:A structure, enclosure, or shelter, with or without side-walls or drops, constructed of fabric or pliable material supported by any manner except by air or the contents that it protects.
  • University Property:Land or buildings that the University owns or leases and that is under the control of the Board of Visitors. University property also includes premises the University uses for activities of its offices, departments, personnel, or students.
Policy Statement:

The Department of Safety and Security (DSS), Office of Fire Safety is responsible for all fire safety and related issues at the University of Virginia. All tents (regardless of size), whether they are rental, University-owned, or privately-owned, erected on University property must be assembled in accordance with the Uniform Statewide Building Code and the Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code.

All tents and/or sites must be permitted by the DSS, Office of Fire Safety prior to being erected. Permits issued by the DSS, Office of Fire Safety will indicate an approved time window for tent use; permits for tents that are not for official University, School, or University Affiliated Organization-sponsored events may not be up for more than 18 hours and are prohibited between the hours of 12:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. Permit applications are to be obtained from the DSS, Office of Fire Safety website. Any event utilizing both a tent and a temporary stage also must comply with permitting requirements administered by the Office of the University Building Official.

Camping is prohibited in outdoor University facilities and on outdoor University property. Camping includes taking up temporary quarters utilizing a tent or other sheltering equipment, including but not limited to sleeping bags. In addition, sleeping outdoors, with or without sheltering equipment, is prohibited between the hours of 12:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. (See PRM-017).

Compliance with Policy:      
Failure to comply with the requirements of this policy may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination or expulsion in accordance with relevant University policies and may result in prosecution in accordance with state and federal law. This includes complying with the applicable adopted version of the Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code along with the associated legal proceedings to restrain, correct, or abate such alleged violation.

Questions about this policy should be directed to the Department of Safety and Security, Office of Fire Safety.

Procedures:
Major Category:
Safety, Security and Environmental Quality
Next Scheduled Review:
01/13/2026
Approved By, Date:
Policy Review Committee, 06/30/2005
Revision History:

Updated Contact Office and Oversight Executive, edited Policy Statement, added prohibition on camping 8/26/24; Confirmed 1/13/23; Confirmed 10/25/19; Updated 11/7/11, 7/20/11, 9/11/2008.

Supersedes (previous policy):

XIV.A.1: Tent Use on Grounds.