The City of Garden City allows for Haunted Houses, Halloween Houses or Mystery Mansions under Ordinance 22-71. These types of buildings fall under the Special Amusement portion of the 2018 International Building Code Section 411. A Special Amusement building is defined as any temporary or permanent building or portion thereof that is occupied for amusement, entertainment or educational purposes and that contains a device or system that conveys passengers or provokes a walkway along, around or over a course in any direction so arranged that the means of egress path is not readily apparent due to visual or audio distractions or is intentionally confounded or is not readily available because of the nature of the attraction or mode of conveyance through the building or structure.
Requirements
In order to have a Haunted House, Halloween House or Mystery Mansion, the following requirements will need to be met.
Before any license is issued, the house, building or structure shall be inspected by representatives of the Building Department, Fire Department and Police Department.
The house, building or structure shall be of sound structural condition.
Fire Protection shall be provided which may include a fire sprinkler system, fire alarm system or both as required by the Fire Department.
Each floor level shall be provided with two approved exits and steps with four or more risers shall be equipped with handrails.
Emergency lighting and a public address and alarm system shall be provided.
All mazes and/or hallways shall not be less that 30 inches wide.
All mazes shall have exit facilities into the common area every twenty (20) feet.
All decorations and materials used shall be flame resistant or treated and maintained fire retardant.
The building, house or structure and the surrounding grounds and premises shall be cleaned, inspected and secured after the operation is closed for the season.
A telephone shall be provided on the premises for emergency use during all hours of operation.
In all locations wherever operated, adequate off-street parking may be required as determined by the governing body.
All electrical facilities, wiring, appliances, motors and devices of whatever nature shall be approved by the Garden City Building Department.
Security measures required by the Garden City Police Department shall be provided.
Please contact the Office of the Fire Marshal well in advance so that we can assist you and guide you with the proper steps and requirements for these special amusement buildings.