Thread: haunting laws?

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hello all! i'm new here and have a few questions. firstly, i would like to have a free (non-profit) no charge no admission just for fun haunt in my garage this year (2007). however, i was wondering what are some typical laws to follow. i plan on checking with my town hall, however i would like to know some questions to ask. my haunt will feature 2 rooms of equal size (8X8) and 2 hallways one 2 feet wide and another 3 feet wide. is that too narrow? has anyone else made a haunt in their garage before? any tips? any ideas on how to make it as cheap as possible? any building reccomendations? any and all input is greatly appreciated!! thanks in advance!

I don't know about specific laws. Never actually thought about it.

I go by the common sense law. Don't do anything that could cause someone to get hurt on your property and risk getting sued.

When in doubt put up a "Enter At Your Own Risk" sign but in this day and age when a school kid just got arrested in Illinois for writing a homework assignment I'm just waiting for someone to sue one of us for scaring somebody!
<rollseyes>

As for your other questions, you came to the right place! Start looking through all the posts here. You will find more than you ever thought possible!

I think, though am not sure, that the American's with Disabilities Act calls for hallways to be a minimum of 36 inches...but that would be for a commercial endeavour, not what you're referring to.

More than any legal concerns, I'd check your homeowners insurance, to make sure you're covered in case someone gets hurt, say by tripping over a corpse whilst running away in terror from your haunt.

Home owners rarely covers pro and/or charity haunts.
ADA calls for minimal 36" width walk ways and 5' square for turning.
Check with head building inspector and electrical inspector.
Check with local firemarshall seperatly dont take the building inpector word for it.
Good luck have fun and be safe.

And absolutely post a large, visible sign stating it is enter at your own risk, and that you are not liable for injuries sustained. That will help cover you.