Booth fire safety rules in Las Vegas
Strip venues are in unincorporated Clark County, so the Clark County Fire Department inspects them; downtown venues fall under Las Vegas Fire and Rescue. Both use the Southern Nevada amendments to the fire code, which have a section just for trade shows. Your venue and show can be stricter.
Last checked Oct 30, 2026
What to know
- When a permit is needed
An operational fire permit is needed for exhibits and trade shows with 300 or more people.
ConfirmedClark County Fire Code wirebook (October 2026)Checked Oct 30, 2026
- Permit by inspector
In the county, a show can use the faster permit-by-inspector route, with no plan submittal, only if it has fewer than 3,600 people, no pyrotechnics, flame effects or open flames, and an occupant load within 75% of exit capacity. Everything else goes through plan review.
ConfirmedClark County Fire Department: Permit by Inspector, indoor trade shows and exhibits (01/2026)Checked Oct 30, 2026
- Covered and multi-level booths
A single-level booth over 1,000 sq ft with a ceiling, or a multi-level booth whose upper level is over 1,000 sq ft, needs sprinklers. Events under 7 days can skip them if the booth has no vehicles, open flame or hot work and unsprinklered booths stay within 30% of the room. Booths over 1,500 sq ft aren't allowed in buildings without sprinklers.
Confirmed2024 IFC Southern Nevada amendments, section 323 (City of Las Vegas copy, April 2025)Checked Oct 30, 2026
- Exits and spacing
Upper decks over 300 sq ft need two separate ways down. No spot in a booth can be more than 50 ft from an aisle. Covered booths without sprinklers, over 1,000 sq ft of ceiling in total, must sit at least 8 ft from other covered booths.
Confirmed2024 IFC Southern Nevada amendments, section 323 (City of Las Vegas copy, April 2025)Checked Oct 30, 2026
- Drapes and fabric
Curtains, drapes and textiles must meet NFPA 701, Test Method 2, shown by a tag on each item. Inspectors check that decorative fabric is flame resistant, so bring the certificate.
Confirmed2024 IFC Southern Nevada amendments, section 323 (City of Las Vegas copy, April 2025)Checked Oct 30, 2026
- Aisles
The county's trade show guide sets 8 ft aisles in front of exhibit booths.
ConfirmedClark County Fire Department: indoor trade shows permit guideChecked Oct 30, 2026
- Cooking demonstrations
Every cooking appliance must be listed or approved by a nationally recognized testing agency, and deep fryers must sit at least 24 inches from other equipment. Venues add their own approvals, often through their catering department.
Confirmed2024 IFC Southern Nevada amendments, section 323 (City of Las Vegas copy, April 2025)Checked Oct 30, 2026
- Vehicles in booths
SEMA 2026 at the LVCC required fuel tanks no more than a quarter full or 5 gallons, whichever is less, battery cables disconnected, and no fueling or charging in the building. Other shows and venues set their own, sometimes stricter, limits.
Not yet confirmedSEMA Show 2026: Display rules and regulationsChecked Oct 30, 2026
- Booth plans at the LVCC
Booth plans go to the LVCVA in CAD format, and plans used at earlier shows must be submitted again for each new show.
ConfirmedLVCVA: LVCC facility guide, February 2026 (booth plan pages)Checked Oct 30, 2026