The Amusement Ride and Tramway Unit

The Amusement Ride and Tramway (ART) Unit is responsible under Labor Code sections 7340-7357 and 7900-7932 for the following:

• Inspecting and issuing permits to operate temporary amusement rides

• Conducting operational inspections and approving the operation of new permanent amusement rides
• Conducting operational inspections and approving the operation of permanent amusement rides after a major modification
• Approving the operation of permanent amusement rides after an annual, structural and operational inspection conducted by a qualified safety inspector (QSI) who is employed by either the Division or by the owner or operator
• Conducting announced and unannounced operational inspections in conjunction with annual audits of the records of permanent amusement rides
  NOTE: If the Cal/OSHA QSI conducts the annual QSI inspection, the announced operational inspection is not performed.
• Conducting discretionary inspections after receiving a complaint or notification of an accident or other problem
• Certifying QSIs to inspect permanent amusement rides
• Approving schools and training providers to train QSIs for permanent amusement rides

• Inspecting and issuing permits to operate passenger tramways

»See invoice payment options for temporary amusement rides, permanent amusement rides, and passenger tramways.

»See Cal/OSHA Heat Illness Prevention Enforcement Q&A Supplement for Amusement Rides, updated May 19, 2015

Temporary (Portable) Amusement Rides (TAR)

The California Amusement Rides Safety Law (Labor Code sections 7900-7919) took effect in 1969, providing for the inspection of temporary amusement rides (TAR). Shortly thereafter, Title 8 regulations were adopted by the Division of Occupational Safety and Health and the Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board to implement the statute. The regulations govern rides in locations such as carnivals, fairs, community events, festivals, weekend fundraisers, and any other location.

The TAR Safety Inspection Program is administered by the Division's Amusement Ride and Tramway (ART) Unit. Each year, all owners of temporary amusement rides that intend to operate in California are required to submit by March 1 an application for a permit to operate, unless operating before March 1, in which case the application must be submitted 10 days prior to operating in the new calendar year. The second page of the application is a ride list and must list the rides that will be in operation for the season. The final page of the application is the itinerary. The Itinerary must contain every location where each portable amusement ride is in operation. The itinerary must also contain the full street address of each operating location along with the arrival, opening and closing date of each event.

Download the Portable Ride Owner Inspection Guide

Download the 2018 application packet.

• »In addition to the application, you must also submit a current insurance policy to be kept on file with the Division.
• »Please email completed applications and itinerary updates to tar@dir.ca.gov.
• »For more information about the TAR program please read the TAR letters.
• »Informative video on temporary amusement ride yearly permitting inspections.

Permanent Amusement Rides (PAR)

Assembly Bill 850 (Labor Code sections 7920-7932) took effect in California in 2000, establishing the Permanent Amusement Ride (PAR) Safety Inspection Program.

Like the TAR Safety Inspection Program, the PAR Safety Inspection Program is administered by the Division's Amusement Ride and Tramway (ART) Unit. Establishment of this program represented a significant expansion of the Division's jurisdiction. As a result, the Division now is responsible for conducting safety inspections of all amusement rides operated in California.

The Division and the Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board have developed regulations to implement the PAR Program. These regulations are administrative and technical. Ride owners and operators must comply with both sets of regulations.

The regulations govern permanent amusement rides are in theme parks, amusement parks, water parks, adventure parks, boardwalks, fun centers, public parks, and shopping malls. The regulations do not apply to skating rinks, arcades, laser or paint ball war games, indoor interactive arcade games, bowling alleys, miniature golf courses, mechanical bulls, inflatable rides, trampolines, ball crawls, exercise equipment, jet skis, paddle boats, air boats, helicopters, airplanes, parasails, hot air balloons (tethered or untethered,) theaters, amphitheaters, batting cages, stationary spring-mounted fixtures, rider-propelled merry-go-rounds, games, slide shows, live-animal rides, or live-animal shows.

See information about course approvals, QSI certification, and owner's certificates of compliance.

Passenger Tramways (Ski Lifts)

The California Passenger Tramway Safety Law (Labor Code sections 7340-7357) took effect in 1965, providing for the inspection of passenger tramways (TRAMS). Shortly thereafter, Title 8 regulations were adopted by the Division of Occupational Safety and Health and the Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board to implement the statute. The regulations govern tramways in locations such as ski resorts, wineries, theme parks, amusement parks, fairs and zoos.

Like the TAR and PAR Safety Inspection Programs, the TRAM Safety Inspection Program is administered by the Division's Amusement Ride and Tramway (ART) Unit. Each year, all passenger tramways are inspected twice by the ART Unit, once during the operational season and once when weather conditions permit clear access to all foundations and structures. The regulations govern reversible tramways, aerial lifts, surface lifts, tows and conveyors.

Notice of Installation or Alteration Guidelines for the Submission of Designs, Plans, and Specifications prior to Construction of New, Relocated, or Modified Passenger Tramways

Click to download the following forms:

• Notice of installation or alteration form
• Passenger tramway incident report form

Amusement Ride and Tramway Programs

Two amusement ride district offices have been established, one in Southern California (Santa Ana) and one in Northern California (Sacramento). The office in Santa Ana carries out the responsibilities of the PAR program in Southern California. The office in Sacramento carries out the responsibilities of the PAR program in Northern California and the TAR program for the entire state. To contact these amusement ride offices for more information on the amusement ride programs, to file a complaint, or to report an accident, see the information below:

Amusement Ride and Tramway Regional Offices

December 2024