Every year, Calgarians hosts hundreds of markets, festivals, cultural gatherings, and community celebrations. Attendees see the music, the food, the crowds, and feel the excitement; but rarely do they see the quiet, methodical work that happens before an event can safely open its gates.
What the public doesn’t see is the early morning and late-night inspections, the structural checks, the safety adjustments, and the conversations between inspectors and organizers that ensure each event is set up to protect staff, volunteers, and guests.
Before a single ticket is sold, or a vendor sets up their booth, customers must determine whether their plans require permits. The first stop is Calgary.ca/tents, where organizers can review requirements for tent structures, cooking equipment, and other elements common at public events. If they are unsure, staff are on hand to answer their questions or address their concerns.
It is essential for customers to submit their permit applications early because it provides the approval team with time to review the application and identify issues to be addressed. Then, when the permit is issued, it outlines permit conditions for the organizer that must be met before the event opens.
According to Safety Codes Officer David Zimmerman, many delays occur simply because organizers haven’t fully reviewed these conditions ahead of time.
“The approvals team has already gone through the application and created a list of things for organizers to take care of,” he explains. “Those are some of the things we’re looking for when we do our inspections.”
Inspections take place on site before the event begins. The work is detailed and often time sensitive. Inspectors check tent structures and anchoring, cooking appliances and fuel sources, ensure there are clear entrance and exit routes and general safety compliance. Working with the customers, the team is usually able to recommend slight adjustments to increase safety to help the event take place as planned.
Safety Codes Officer Leland Schwartz notes that some of the issues the team encounters are surprising, but common.
“Often we have to make adjustments to how a tent is secured to ensure a gust of wind isn’t going to cause injury,” he says.
Inspectors have seen tents held down with items like milk jugs or rubber boots filled with rocks, rather than approved weights or pegs.
When inspectors are on site early, these issues can be corrected quickly, keeping the event on schedule and safe.
Many Calgary events are set up and open on the same day. In these situations, inspectors may be reviewing the grounds right up until opening time; a real challenge if significant issues are found.
The more preparation organizers complete in advance, the smoother the inspection process will be for everyone. This includes:
Following all permit conditionsEnsuring tent anchoring meets requirementsVerify any needed trades permits such as electrical, gas or HVAC.Completing any required engineering reviews
If these items are resolved before inspectors arrive, events are cleared to open more efficiently, avoiding delays for participants and guests.
Although the inspection process can feel technical, the purpose is simple: work with customers to ensure events open safely and operate without preventable risks.
“Our intent is always to work with an organizer to make sure the event is successful,” Zimmerman emphasizes. “If you take care of the items on the permit conditions before inspections are on site, it will make everything run so much smoother.”
The City’s inspection teams work with organizers behind the scenes to keep Calgary’s events safe for everyone. To support that work, and to ensure events open on time and operate safely, organizers can follow three key steps:
✅ Submit applications early
✅ Review the Building Advisory for temporary outdoor tents and canopies
✅ Read and follow permit conditions
✅ Get inspectors on site as early as possible
With proper preparation and timely inspections, Calgary’s events can continue to be safe, enjoyable, and successful for all.
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