The TENT and Seasonal Permit - Application (printed on the form as TENT / SEASONAL PERMIT APPLICATION) is the City of Cape Coral, Florida, form issued through the Department of Development Services, City Planning Division, to request a permit for a tent or a seasonal sales event. It is one of the Cape Coral permit applications for temporary uses of a property: pumpkin, Christmas tree and firework sales, and tents at special events. On this page you can fill out the form online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF; the city publishes the original at the address linked as the official source.
Last updated
What is TENT and Seasonal Permit - Application – Cape Coral, FL?
The TENT and Seasonal Permit - Application is the City of Cape Coral form, issued by the Department of Development Services, City Planning Division, that a business, organization or individual completes to obtain a permit for a tent, for a seasonal sales event, or for both.
The form covers one application type chosen at the top. For tents, it lists the items every tent permit must provide: liability insurance, a flame certificate, a site plan and a signed, notarized owner affidavit. For seasonal events, it names three event types with their sales windows: pumpkin sales, Christmas tree sales and firework sales.
The five-page package has these parts:
- application type and tent permit requirements, including extra site plan items for seated special events of more than 100 people;
- a page of seasonal and tent permit requirements;
- the application itself: event, contact, property and tent information, plus the applicant's certification, which must be notarized;
- an owner affidavit, signed and notarized, authorizing the applicant to assemble a tent on the property.
The form states that a tent permit is not required for a tent under 100 sq. ft. It is not a building permit, and it does not replace the separate permits it mentions, such as the electrical permit for temporary power or a sign permit.
Who needs to file TENT and Seasonal Permit - Application – Cape Coral, FL?
Businesses, organizations and individuals who plan to put up a tent in Cape Coral, or to run a pumpkin, Christmas tree or firework sales event, use this application.
- Tent applicants: the form says a tent permit is not required if the tent is under 100 sq. ft. Tents of that size or larger need the permit, whether the land is improved or unimproved.
- Seasonal event operators: the form asks whether the event is seasonal and, if so, which type. The application for Firework Sales may be submitted at the same time as this application to obtain one permit.
- Tenants: a tenant may apply with a notarized letter from the property owner or a copy of the lease agreement. The form also includes its own owner affidavit.
- Hosts of seated special events of more than 100 people: the site plan must show the additional safety items listed on page 1.
The form notes that retail merchants such as Lowes and Home Depot do not need an additional license because they already hold a retail license. Other applicants should check with licensing for each location, if a license applies.
When to file TENT and Seasonal Permit - Application – Cape Coral, FL
Apply before the tent goes up: the form requires the permit to be issued before a tent is assembled on any property, and tents put up before issuance have a double fee added. The city advises planning on a minimum of 7 to 10 business days for the application to be processed, so submit well ahead of your event or tent date.
Seasonal events must fit the windows printed on the form: pumpkin sales (Oct 1 – Nov 5), Christmas tree sales (Nov 15 – Jan 1) and firework sales (Dec 15 – Jan 1 and June 1 – July 10). The form states that an event may be open from 8:00 A.M. to 10:00 P.M.
The application also asks for the date the tent will be put up, the date it will come down and the event dates, so have the schedule settled first.
Documents you need
- Proof of current liability insurance: listed among the items every tent permit must provide.
- Flame Spread Certificate for the correct size tent(s) being set up (the form's flame certificate).
- Site plan showing tent location(s) with dimensions from the property lines, existing structures, equipment, all streets, entrances, exits, parking areas and any restroom facilities.
- Owner Affidavit, signed and notarized, authorizing the applicant to assemble a tent on the property (attached as page 5 of the form).
- For a tenant: a notarized letter from the property owner or a copy of the lease agreement, as the form allows for tenants applying for the permit.
- For a seated event of more than 100 people: a site plan that also shows a 12' fire lane, fire extinguishers, emergency lights and exit signs, a seating chart with chair spacing, generator locations and no smoking signs.
- For any individual tent of 900 sq. ft. and over: plans reviewed by the Fire Department, which carries an additional fee.
- If you use temporary power connections: a separate electrical permit from the Building Division, Permitting. No permit is required for a portable generator.
- If a license applies to the location: a valid license from the Code Compliance Division (Licensing). Retail merchants with a retail license do not need an additional one.
How to fill out TENT and Seasonal Permit - Application – Cape Coral, FL
Select the permit application type
On page 1, select one of the permit application types the form offers. A tent permit is not required for a tent under 100 sq. ft.
Review the tent permit requirements
Check that you have liability insurance, a flame certificate, a site plan and a signed, notarized Owner Affidavit. For a seated event of more than 100 people, add the fire safety items to the site plan.
Enter the event information
Under EVENT INFORMATION, write the name of the business or organization hosting the event and a description of the event or project.
Mark the seasonal event type
Check YES or NO for Seasonal Event. If YES, check Pumpkin Sales, Christmas Tree Sales or Firework Sales, within the dates printed beside each.
Complete the contact information
Enter the contact name, email, phone number and address.
Provide the property information
Enter the property owner, Strap #, site address, city, state, ZIP, Unit, Block, Lot, phone number and zoning.
Describe the tent permit details
Enter the number of tents, sq. ft., whether there are side walls, the event dates, hours of operation, and the dates the tent will be put up and taken down.
Answer electric, music and inspection
Mark Electric YES or NO (YES requires a separate electric permit) and Music/Loud speakers YES or NO. Enter an inspection date and time, or call (239) 242-3264 if unknown.
Print the applicant name and sign
Type or print the applicant name and sign in front of a notary, completing the State, County and date lines of the notary section.
Complete the owner affidavit
On page 5, enter the date, the owner's name, the property address and the applicant's name. The owner signs before a notary.
Review and download the completed PDF
Check names, dates, addresses and attachments. Download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF, then assemble the package described under How to submit.
How to submit TENT and Seasonal Permit - Application – Cape Coral, FL
The form itself names no filing channel; it prints the City Planning Division's telephone, fax and P.O. Box on each page. The city's Planning Division applications page encourages applicants to submit online through the CSS online portal and lists [email protected] for help with an application.
- Before you submit: complete the application and, if the property owner is not the applicant, the owner affidavit. Both signatures must be notarized. Gather the insurance, flame certificate and site plan listed on the form.
- Contacts printed on the form: City Planning Division, Tel. (239) 574-0776, Fax (239) 574-0591, P.O. Box 150027, Cape Coral, FL 33915-0027. Zoning Division questions about entrances and exits: 239-574-0553. To schedule an inspection when the date is unknown: (239) 242-3264.
- Payment: fees apply, and tents put up before a permit is issued carry a double fee. Ask the Planning Division for current amounts. The city's page says applications are reviewed for completeness and invoiced, and that the city never requests payment by electronic funds transfer, wire transfer or third-party payment apps such as Venmo, Cash App, PayPal or Zelle.
FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Putting up the tent before the permit is issued; the form says a double fee is added to any tent assembled before issuance.
- Leaving out the Owner Affidavit, or submitting it unsigned or without the notary section completed; it must be signed and notarized.
- Signing the applicant certification without a notary; the form states that all signatures must be notarized.
- Omitting the flame certificate, proof of liability insurance or site plan, which every tent permit must provide.
- Choosing event dates outside the printed seasonal windows for pumpkin, Christmas tree or firework sales.
- Answering Electric: YES without applying for the separate electrical permit the form requires for temporary power connections.
- Drawing entrances or exits over a curb, gutter or sidewalk; the form does not permit this and asks for CAUTION tape in red, pink or yellow to mark drive entrances and exits.
- Planning a seated event of more than 100 people with a site plan that lacks the 12' fire lane, extinguishers, emergency lights and exit signs, seating chart, generator locations or no smoking signs.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit for a tent in Cape Coral?
Yes, unless the tent is under 100 sq. ft. The form says a tent permit is not required for a tent under 100 sq. ft. Larger tents need a permit issued before assembly, with insurance, a flame certificate, a site plan and a notarized owner affidavit.
What is the Cape Coral permit for seasonal sales?
It is this same application. The form lists three seasonal event types: pumpkin sales (Oct 1 – Nov 5), Christmas tree sales (Nov 15 – Jan 1) and firework sales (Dec 15 – Jan 1 and June 1 – July 10). The firework sales application may be submitted at the same time to obtain one permit.
How long does the tent and seasonal permit take?
Plan on a minimum of 7 to 10 business days for your application to be processed, according to the form. Submit early, because the permit must be issued before the tent is assembled.
Does the application have to be notarized?
Yes. The form states that all signatures must be notarized, and the owner affidavit must also be signed and notarized. The notary section allows physical presence or online notarization.
What happens if I put up the tent before the permit is issued?
A double fee is added. The form says permits must be issued before a tent is assembled on any property, and tents put up earlier have a double fee added. Ask the Planning Division at (239) 574-0776 for current fee amounts.
Can a tenant apply without the property owner?
Yes, with conditions. A tenant may apply with a notarized letter from the property owner or a copy of the lease agreement. The form also includes an owner affidavit that authorizes the applicant to assemble a tent on the property.
Can I fill out the Cape Coral tent permit application online?
You can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is independent of the City of Cape Coral and does not file or process the permit; you submit the application through the city's channels.
Ready to fill out TENT and Seasonal Permit - Application – Cape Coral, FL?
Fill out TENT and Seasonal Permit - Application – Cape Coral, FL now