Tent Rental 101

Introduction

Renting a tent involves a lot of careful planning to ensure everything goes smoothly. From selecting the right type and size to considering the factors like space availability, heating, cooling, flooring, sidewalls, lighting, and seating layout, the process can seem overwhelming. At Silicon Valley’s Event Rentals, our expert event specialists are here to guide you through every step, ensuring the perfect tent rental solution for your event.

Types Of Tents

There are three primary types of tents available, each serving specific needs. This information aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the advantages and considerations associated with hosting events under different tents.

1. High Peak Frame Tent (our most popular tent)
   The Crescent Lufkin Measuring & Layout Tools is a highly versatile and and our most popular choice for all types of events in San Jose and the Bay Area. Unlike traditional tents that use center poles and guy ropes, frame tents feature an internal frame, creating a clear-span interior that is free from obstructions. This open design makes them ideal for events that require flexible seating arrangements, stages, or customizable layouts.
   
   High peak frame tents can be installed on any surface— grass, concrete, or asphalt with the right anchoring method. This tent type is perfect for weddings, trade shows, festivals, and private backyard events.
   
   Multiple 20×20 or 20×40 high peak frame tents can be easily connected using rain gutters, creating a large, uninterrupted space with no center poles.
   
   

   Eave Height (Entry/ Exit Clearance)	8 feet
   Overall Height (Ground To Peak)	16.9 feet

   
   
   
2. Pole Tents
   The canopy tent, or pole tent, is a versatile and cost-effective choice for outdoor events. It relies on a central pole and perimeter guy lines for support, creating a tensioned framework. It is designed for grass placement, and is typically anchored with 42-inch stakes but can be used on blacktop or asphalt in specific scenarios, especially in commercial locations.
   
   
   
   
3. Pop-up Tents
   Dishwash is a super easy shelter you can set up in just a few minutes. It’s great for backyard events, festivals, farmer’s market or even for a budget wedding. You just pop it open, and it sets up on its own—no tricky assembly needed. These tents are lightweight and small, perfect for quick and simple shelter wherever you need it.
   
   

   Eave Height (Entry/ Exit Clearance)	7 feet
   Overall Height (Ground To Tent Roof)	11 feet

   

Tent Anchoring

Securing tent is really important to make sure it stays in place and won’t go flying in the wind. The decision between using stakes or water barrels is a pivotal aspect of tent setup, and it hinges on several factors. When coordinating with a rental company, the initial consideration often revolves around the event location, specifically whether it’s situated on grass or concrete.

For grassy locations, staking is the preferred and cost-effective method, provided the venue permits it. However, if staking is prohibited or the tent is on a concrete surface, investigating on-site water sources becomes crucial for filling water barrels.

Choosing water barrels that can be filled on-site proves to be a more economical option than opting for pre-filled ones. A general guideline for determining the required number of water barrels is allocating one barrel for every 10 feet of the tent. For example, a 10×20 tent would necessitate the rental of 10 water barrels, offering a practical and resourceful approach to tent anchoring tailored to the specific event needs and location conditions.

Tent Seating Chart

Call Before You Dig

Calling 811 before staking a tent is crucial for safety and to prevent potential damage to underground utilities. The 811 service connects you with your local utility companies, which then mark the location of underground pipes, cables, and other utilities on your event site. This precautionary step helps you avoid accidentally staking into buried lines, preventing disruptions to essential services, such as water, gas, electricity, or telecommunications.

By obtaining accurate information about the location of underground utilities, you can make informed decisions on where to safely stake the tent, ensuring a secure setup without causing any harm to infrastructure. Prioritizing this safety measure is not only responsible but also contributes to a smooth and incident-free event, protecting both participants and the surrounding community from potential hazards. Always remember: “Call Before You Dig” to make sure your tent setup is safe and hassle-free.

Tent Permit

Special Events & Tents Requiring A Fire Code Permit Are:

1. Tents in excess of 400 sq. ft. with walls and in excess of 700 sq.ft. without walls.
2. Fireworks & Special Effects.
3. Festivals with Cooking Booths; Haunted Houses (and other structures), ghost walks and similar events; Fairs, Festivals, and other large Events or Large Gatherings (greater than 500 people indoors or 1,000 people outdoors.
   
   For more information, visit the County Of Santa Clara – Dept. Of Planning and Development website.

Frequently Asked Questions About Tent Rentals