Amusement and Entertainment Permits
Hours
8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday – Friday
except state-observed holidays
Indiana Dept. of Homeland Security
Indiana Government Center-South, Room E208
302 W. Washington St.
Indianapolis, IN 46204-2739
Call us: 317-232-1407
Email us: codequestions@dhs.in.gov
Please allow 48 hours for a response, and do not leave multiple voicemails or send multiple emails.
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Amusement and entertainment permits are required for events at a variety of locations and venues. Some of the most common kinds of places that require amusement entertainment permits are places where the following kinds of events occur: concerts and other shows, amusement rides, movies and dances.
It is extremely important that the owner of the property or the operator of an event applies for an amusement and entertainment permit well in advance of the first planned event so that the necessary life safety inspections of the venue can be performed to protect public safety.
Apply for an Amusement and Entertainment Permit
Before a permit can be issued, you will be required to pay a fee (unless exempt) and the facility must be inspected and found in compliance with all applicable fire safety laws. Permits must be renewed annually. If you have questions about amusement and entertainment permits, contact the Code Enforcement Section at codequestions@dhs.in.gov.
Required Information
- Information about the facility owner
- Information about the facility location
- Owner/facility contact information
- Event names, dates and times
- Electronic copy of the facility's floor plan
- If tents or other membrane structures are part of your event, complete the Anchorage Documentation form too. It must be completed by the installer of the structures and signed by the event coordinator when the manufacturer/engineering specifications regarding the anchoring are not available.
Other Requirements
- Keep all the information at hand when filing. If the web application times out, all information must be retyped.
- To use the online service, instant access and credit card fees will apply that are separate from the normal fees.
- Payments by mail are not accepted and will be returned.
Apply online
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Coming Soon: New Customer Service Platform
Code Enforcement operations will be transitioned to a new Salesforce-based customer service platform: IDHS Services Gateway. ...
At a Glance
- Phase 1 will involve all Code Enforcement operations currently conducted in PSP.
- Phase 1 will launch in 2023.
- All previous Access Indiana credentials remain valid.
- Code Enforcement business in the DFBS system is not impacted.
Business conducted within the Public Safety Portal (PSP) related to the Indiana Department of Homeland Security's (IDHS) Code Enforcement operations will be transitioned to a new Salesforce-based technology platform: IDHS Services Gateway. Once this transition is complete, any Code Enforcement customer activities that are currently performed in PSP will be discontinued, and customers will be required to use their Access Indiana accounts to perform those activities in IDHS Services Gateway. While planning is underway to eventually transfer all transactional business with IDHS to the Salesforce platform, the first phase of this project deals specifically with only the Code Enforcement operations now taking place in PSP, including but not limited to: amusement and entertainment permits, fireworks permits, and building inspections and violations.
Note: Any Code Enforcement operations or customer activity currently conducted in the DFBS system will continue unchanged for now.
The IDHS Services Gateway will provide IDHS with an array of exciting new tools to deliver the quality service and system dependability that represent the core mission of IDHS. We look forward to providing Hoosiers with an intuitive, user-friendly experience and offering solid engagement with IDHS and its staff through this new platform.
Thank you for your patience during this transition.
At a Glance
- Phase 1 will involve all Code Enforcement operations currently conducted in PSP.
- Phase 1 will launch in 2023.
- All previous Access Indiana credentials remain valid.
- Code Enforcement business in the DFBS system is not impacted.
Fees
Resources
Amusement Rides
See the Elevators and Amusement Rides page.
Fireworks
See the Fireworks Information page.
Food Trucks
IDHS does not regulate or inspect food trucks. For informational purposes, the following fire safety requirements for food trucks are from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA):
Outdoor Event Equipment
Apply for a permit for outdoor event equipment through the Public Safety Portal.
Tents and Other Membrane Structures
Tents and other membrane structures are regulated according to Indiana Administrative Code, Title 675, Article 22, Chapter 31 for fire prevention and safety. Oftentimes, tents and membrane structures are set up for events like fairs and festivals, which require amusement and entertainment permits. The Anchorage Documentation form should be included when applying for amusement and entertainment permits for events that include tents or other membrane structures.
Download the Tents and Other Membrane Structures Presentation for information to help understand the requirements of Chapter 31.