Carnival & Amusement Safety Permit to Operate Carnival Ride

The Bureau of Commercial Services, Licensing Division, within the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs issues permits to operate carnival rides. The Michigan Carnival-Amusement Safety Board was created under Public Act 225 of 1966, as amended. Each year, department staff perform inspections of traveling shows which operate in Michigan, and amusement parks and other fixed locations with rides, to assure compliance with the act and the rules promulgated. Michiganhas approximately 100 permanent locations of amusement rides and approximately 600 locations where transient carnivals operate.

The board currently oversees the operation of approximately 212 carnival-amusement companies and 889 rides.

A. NAME OF PERMIT OR APPROVAL: 

Application For New Permit to Operate form 

Application For Special Inspector Commission form 

Carnival Itinerary (for mobile operators) form 

Checklist and Procedures for Obtaining a Permit to Operate form 

Other Carnival & Amusement Safety forms 

B. STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 

PA 225 of 1966 (Carnival-Amusement Safety Act) 

C. APPLICABLE REGULATION: 

Administrative Rules 

D. SUMMARY OF PERMIT/APPROVAL PROCESS: 

 1.  Applicability (activities that require the permit) 

All new rides require the operator to submit the following:

 2.  Pre-Application Requirements 

Rides/devices never approved for operation in Michigan, or being altered, require submittal of the following items.

For Misc Adult Rides, Kiddie Rides, Aerial Lifts, Coasters and GO-Karts:

• Maintenance Manual
• Erection Manual
• Operation Manual
• Detailed drawings with specifications for parts **
• Assembly drawings showing how the ride is to be put together, including bracing **
• Specifications for all bolts, pins, weld or other connections, including allowable wear tolerance **
• Stress analysis of the ride covering all load bearing parts and support of the ride including any walls, roofing, or scenery **
• Site plan and foundation for rides permanently erected in an amusement park **

For GO-Kart Tracks and Bumper Boat Ponds/Pools:

• Drawing of the track, pond or pool layout, including features such as barriers, guard rails, docks, control systems, fences, bridges, signs and tunnels **
• Detailed drawings with specifications for materials and construction of each feature should be included **
• Stress analysis for load bearing parts of the features ** 

For Water Slides:

• Maintenance Manual
• Operation Manual
• Detailed drawings with specifications for parts and materials including bolts, rivets, pin, welds and other fasteners **
• Stress analysis for structure including dead loads, live loads and wind loads. Safety factors provided should be indicated **
• Site plan and foundation drawings **

**MUST BE CERTIFIED BY A PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER LICENSED OR REGISTERED IN THE UNITED STATES

 3.  Application Submission Requirements 

Applicants must submit a signed application form and the information that is specified in P.A. 225 of 1966, as amended (Carnival-Amusement Safety Act) laws and/or rules and directions for completing an application.

 4.  Procedures and Time-Frame for Obtaining Permit or Approval 

N/A

 5.  Operational Requirements 

• TRANSFER OR SALE OF RIDE requires an inspection. Contact the department at (517) 241-9273.

• ALTERATIONS TO a ride requires a re-inspection. In addition, should a ride experience a major breakdown, major alteration or if the ride is transferred to another owner/operator, sold, rebuilt or undergoes a major alteration. Contact the department at (517) 241-9273.

 6.  Fees 

Annual Application Fees:

• Permit to Operate - $10.00

• Special inspector Commission - $5.00

Annual Inspection Fees:

• Kiddie Rides - $40.00

• Fixed Coaster - $90.00

• Aerial Lifts - $115.00

• Miscellaneous Rides - $50.00

Re-inspection Fees:

• Kiddie Rides - $20.00

• Fixed Coaster - $75.00

• Aerial Lifts - $75.00

• Miscellaneous Rides - $20.00 

 7.  Appeal Process 

For the occupations regulated under the Occupational Code, this generally describes the procedure that is followed when an applicant for a license has received a formal denial of the application. The Code calls what they file a Petition for Review and requires that the Department receive it within 30 days. The appeal/petition is placed on the board agenda for the next regularly scheduled board meeting. The Petitioner files a written request to appeal that is accompanied by any documents, which would substantiate their reason why the denial should be overturned and a license granted. The two main categories of denial are: lack of good moral character and failure to meet the license requirements (lack of education, experience, failed exam, etc.) The Board and Department hear the appeal/Petition during the meeting. The Board vote must be agreed upon by the Department; in case of the Board voting to overturn the denial and the Department disagreeing (wanting the denial to stand), the Department has the final decision. If the Petitioner is in attendance, the Petitioner knows the outcome then but either way a letter outlining the results is mailed to the Petitioner. Should the Petitioner wish to appeal an upheld denial determination made at the Board meeting, the next step would be filing in Circuit Court. If the occupation is not under the Occupational Code, the Bureau Director would hear the appeal and any upheld denial by the Bureau Director could also be appealed to Circuit Court.

 8.  Public Input Opportunities 

The public has an opportunity to provide input in various ways. Typical opportunities for input are when administrative rules are being considered at a Public Hearing. The public has an opportunity to address specific draft rules or the rule set overall either in writing or by testimony at the hearing. At open Board Meetings, the public is given an opportunity to address the board on either specific items or in general. At any time a member of the public wishes to address a Bureau practice, policy or procedure, a letter to the Bureau Director may be sent. The Bureau also receives many inquiries or comments by way of letters to the Governor regarding Bureau operations or specific licensure applications.

E. Contact Information: 

Contact Us

  

Creation/Revision Date:

September 22, 2010