Thread: Ordinances or permits

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Howdy

This Halloween I would like to have a yard display and invite the public. Are there any ordinance, permit, or insurance issues to have to deal with?
I live in the county, away from city streets and such. I also have a large yard and folks might even be able to park there.

I know alot of you have yard displays and I am wondering if I have to plan ahead. How do you handle your yard displays?

Thank you
Terry

As long as you don't charge for enterence to the haunt, there shouldn't be any problems....

I opened my haunt to the public last year for the first time in 6 years or so. I live in a neighborhood that has an understanding for what I do. As far as permits and such as long as you are not charging an admission price then you wont need a permit or insurance however make up a sign that reads something like " Welcome to _haunt name here_ we are not responsible for blah blah and blah. Something similar to what you see at the pro haunts and you should be fine. I had over 500 people go through my haunt last year in only 4 days...not too bad if I say so myself. You could also call your local Codes and ordinance office and ask them your questions. Hope everything works out for you!

A disclaimer stating you are not responsible for injuries is a great idea. I would also check to see if your homeowner's or renter's insurance includes coverage for injury to persons which happen on your property. Many policies provide this coverage. I would rather be safe than sorry.

may not waive your responsibility for damages to a person while on your property. Consult an attorney. Putting things in writing can hurt you more than help if the wording is not correct..things can be misinterpreted, besides, if someone can break into your house, hurt themselves, sue you and win, just think what could happen when people run like wildfire after being scared in your haunt - malfunctioning props, electrical mishaps, trip hazards, etc...signs will not protect you in every circumstance. I would definitely consult an attorney as to the wording, and what, if anything, you wouldn't be responsible for....also, check with your insurance company....not to rain on anyone's parade, but I work for a professional haunt, as well as have my own home haunt attraction, and there are way too many risks involved when dealing with the public (friends or not), not to dot your "i"'s and cross your "t"'s.....

Craig

Since you work at a pro haunt, what type of signs or wording do some of them use as an example? How would you design one for yourself?

Thanks

As a rule i like to keep my haunt away from little hands and feet

I do this with my graveyard fence, its purely a display for the main purpose of i don't want people tripping on anything or getting fingers caught in mechanisms etc etc

Anything i do have out of the fence is closely watched and will not hurt anyone

This keeps them all on public property where there issues can be taken up with the city not me!

basically, they really aren't disclaimers, but more of a set of rules to abide by, or some "heads up", such as: No drinking, no smoking, no touching patrons, no pushing, no damaging property, do not enter if you have heart, neck back problems, trouble seeing in dim lit spaces, clostrophobic, prone to siezures, etc, etc.....and in really big letters, it basically informs them that they are under video surveillance not only by the haunt, but by the Sheriff's office...yes, plenty plenty plenty of cops working the dealio...that is a deterrant as it is, but for the sake of people getting hurt on the property, no disclaimer will obsolve you from an oversight on safety. Even if everything is checked and rechecked, someone will find a screw sticking out of a piece of wood, or trip on a cell phone on the ground, or fall due to their own clumsy-ness (is that a word?)....now, most people that get hurt at their own hands usually don't report it, but the ones that do, usually file a complaint with the haunt, and never sue....so to summarize, we like to put the burden of safety on the patron....
My personal suggestions on a home haunt would be to have everything inspected (whether your county requires it or not)...have electrical inspected, place fire extinguishers every 10 feet (the fire marshall loves those), have several alternate exits, make sure there are no trip hazards, hire police detail (very important for insurance purposes), display a map of your haunt with the exits clearly marked, check with your insurance comnpany on personal liability if someone were to get hurt... get a cheap camera system (can pick up one from Walmart with night vision for about $50, and a vcr to record to for about $30).....make sure your place air compressors, hoses, and props well away from the public's reach, and, to add an additional layer of safety, make your haunt a "guided tour" so someone (YOU) is with them at all times!!!!

OH, AND MOST IMPORTANT - YOU CANNOT USE BLACK PLASTIC SHEETING PURCHASED FROM YOUR HOME IMPROVEMENT STORE UNLESS IT IS COATED WITH A FIRE RETARDANT MATERIAL!!!!!! Most jurisdications will also require EVERY latex prop be coated with the fire retardant material as well (it's just a clear-coat spray).

NOTICE::

The above info are only suggestions, and independant rules and regulations must be checked with your local authorities....I make no representation that the above info is legal or sufficient with regards to your location. (wow, I think that was a disclaimer!!! LOL).....

to mention ....I don't want to ward off anyone from having a home haunt by the above info, but remember this: Your house is your home and domain...don't jeapordize it for the sake of Halloween...while 98% of your visitors will love, enjoy and appreciate what you do, there's always one or two jacklegs that will make your life miserable...put every precaution in place to handle such situations...AND NEVER TOUCH ANYONE!

In addition to the above, what I do is I turn people away from my property if they show signs of belligerence, drunkeness, or damage property...I have a cop on duty, and he handles everything LEGALLY! And yes, you can be selecive on whom you let into your home haunt - it's YOUR HOME AND PROPERTY....just clearly state in writing that bad behavior will not be tolerated, and they will be removed from the property without prejudice....