Fiscal Note
There may be a small increase in General Fund revenues derived from permit fees.
Title
SUBSTITUTE Amending Sections 34.308 and creating 34.105(14)(c) of the Madison General Ordinances to regulate fire performance art.
Body
DRAFTER'S ANALYSIS: The City has seen an increase in events where artists use flame effects to entertain an audience, and the Fire Department has experienced an increase in the number and frequency of individuals calling to ask about related permits and rules. However, “fire performance art” does not meet the definition of “pyrotechnics” so no rules currently exist to regulate these kinds of performances. This ordinance creates regulations for performances that use fire as entertainment and creates a permit requirement for performers.
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The Common Council of the City of Madison do hereby ordain as follows:
1. Section 34.308 entitled “Open Flames” of the Madison General Ordinances is amended to read as follows:
“34.308 OPEN FLAMES.
The following is in addition to the requirements in IFC chapter 308:
(1) IFC section 308.1.4 shall be amended to remove Exception three (3).
(2) Fire Performance Art.
(a) General. Fire Performance Art is defined as any act in a public or private place, including street fairs, and outdoor public gatherings which utilizes fire as part of a theatrical or artistic performance or other form of live entertainment. This includes fire juggling, fire eating, fire dancing and other attended manually controlled fire effects. These acts do not include pyrotechnics or other open flame devices or effects as regulated by other code sections or permits.
(b) Fire performance artist and spotters shall;
1. Be at least eighteen (18) years of age or otherwise be under the direct supervision of a permit holder under this section.
2. Have valid state issued photo identification and fire performance permit readily accessible at each ...
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