A trampoline park requires more than just a good concept, a smart location, and a solid business plan; it also requires permits and regulations. Permits and regulations determine whether a trampoline park can actually be built and opened. These rules are stricter than many entrepreneurs expect, especially in terms of safety, structural design, and inspections. Before you can open a trampoline park, you must comply with various safety requirements and permits.
This article provides a clear overview of everything you need to set up your trampoline park in accordance with the relevant standards. From environmental permits to WAS certification in the Netherlands: this will ensure you are well prepared before you start.
1) Zoning plan and environmental permit for your trampoline park
Every trampoline park starts with the zoning plan. This determines whether a building may be used for sports and recreational activities. Does your concept fall under the zoning category of sports, recreation, or mixed use? If so, you can often move forward more quickly. If not, the zoning must be changed. That process takes extra time, depending on the municipality.
In many cases, an environmental permit is also required to open a trampoline park. This applies when you make structural changes, such as installing trampoline structures, creating new escape routes, increasing floor load capacity, or installing a mezzanine. A complete technical package with DWG drawings, floor plans, and material overviews ensures a quick and smooth assessment.
2) Fire safety: the strictest regulations for trampoline parks
Fire safety is a crucial part of the permits for trampoline parks. Municipalities and fire departments strictly assess escape routes, emergency lighting, fire compartmentation, maximum occupancy, and use of materials. Because trampoline parks attract large groups of visitors, additional standards apply here.
Materials are assessed according to fire class, such as EN 13501-1. Internal layouts and routing must ensure rapid and safe evacuation.
Germany has even stricter rules, such as fire safety standards, which often require additional reports from a certified consultant. Thanks to years of experience with more than two hundred international projects, Sidijk is very familiar with these processes.
3) Trampoline parks and play areas: mandatory inspections and legislation
In the EU, trampoline parks are subject to NEN-EN-ISO 23659. This means that all components within a trampoline park, such as trampolines, foam pits, AirbagOriginal, Dodgeball Area, and interactive zones, must be inspected by a designated inspection body (AKI). Equipment may not be used without an approved certificate. In America and the Middle East, trampoline parks are subject to the ASTM F2970 standard. And if you have a combination of a trampoline park and, for example, an Indoor Playground or soft play zone, the playground or soft play zone is subject to the NEN-EN 1176 standard. Additional standards may also apply, which often vary from country to country. For example, a WAS inspection is mandatory for trampoline parks in the Netherlands, while in Germany additional reports are required in accordance with local fire safety standards. During the design phase, we immediately take into account all applicable standards for the components in the trampoline park, so that the concept is safe and feasible from the very first idea.
In addition, as an operator, you are required to keep a logbook containing daily visual inspections, periodic maintenance, repairs, and incident reports. This documentation is part of your legal responsibility and may be requested by regulators.
4) Structural requirements and structural safety for trampoline park permits
A trampoline park places high demands on a building. The floor must be able to withstand heavy loads, especially in areas where there is intensive jumping. A minimum clearance height of 5.0 meters is required for a main court. For High Performance trampolines, this increases to 6.5 or even 7.5 meters.
Municipalities assess, among other things, air quality and ventilation capacity, energy performance, lighting, internal routing, the position of columns and load-bearing structures, and structural safety.
Fire safety and the safe use of electricity also play an important role. These aspects are assessed by the competent authorities. By taking this into account during the preparation of the construction, you can avoid delays during installation.
5) Working conditions (health and safety) and safety for employees
In addition to visitor safety, strict requirements also apply to employees. The Working Conditions Act requires parks to clearly organize supervision, instructions, and safety measures.
There must be sufficient oversight of all areas. Employees must give clear instructions to visitors, and at least one emergency response officer must be present per shift. Lighting, walking routes, and ventilation are also subject to health and safety assessments.
A good operational plan ensures that daily safety is guaranteed. We can also help you by indicating how many jump instructors are needed and where they should be positioned.
6) Catering and operating licenses within trampoline parks
Many trampoline parks offer catering services. This may require additional permits. The requirements vary per municipality, but often include an operating permit, a catering permit, a liquor and catering permit if alcohol is served, and HACCP guidelines for food safety. By starting this process early, you can avoid delays in opening.
7) Insurance policies that are essential for a trampoline park
A trampoline park attracts many visitors every day, which makes a good insurance structure crucial. Important insurance policies include general liability insurance, building and contents insurance, business interruption insurance, and accident insurance for staff.
For interactive zones, such as ValoJump, additional insurance may be required, depending on technical characteristics and risk analysis.
8) Inspections, maintenance, and periodic testing
After commissioning, safety remains a legally required focus. In some cases, the inspection authority determines how often you must re-inspect a device. We can also provide advice on inspecting devices. Some components are inspected or inspected annually, biennially, or periodically. In addition, daily visual checks are mandatory, as are regular technical checks.
A fixed maintenance schedule not only prevents incidents, but also problems during re-inspections. Regulators consider a well-maintained logbook to be part of the legal duty of care.
9) Noise, environmental standards, and environmental requirements for trampoline parks
Trampoline parks generate noise from music, jumping activities, and visitors. Many municipalities have noise standards, especially when the premises are adjacent to homes or offices.
Acoustic solutions, such as noise-reducing covers, panels, or damping materials, may be required to remain within the standard. In addition, the municipality may impose requirements on waste processing, energy consumption, parking capacity, and traffic routing.
10) Collaboration with municipality speeds up trampoline park permits
The fastest route to an approved trampoline park starts with an early discussion with the municipality. By submitting a complete file with technical drawings, safety plans, and clear explanations of activities, the fire department, spatial planning, and building inspection authorities can reach a decision more quickly.
Good preparation prevents delays and ensures that the project moves smoothly towards construction and opening.
FAQ
Do you need a permit to open a trampoline park in the Netherlands?
Yes. A trampoline park in the Netherlands usually requires several permits, including an environmental permit if you are making structural changes. In addition, the park must comply with fire safety regulations, health and safety requirements, and the NEN-EN-ISO 23659 standard for trampoline parks. You cannot open the park without all the necessary permits.
What inspections do you need to open a trampoline park in Germany?
Germany has strict safety and fire protection standards. Trampoline parks are subject to European standards and additional German regulations. Inspections by a TÜV-certified body are mandatory, as are comprehensive fire safety reports and documentation of structural safety.
How long does it take to obtain all the permits for a trampoline park?
This varies per municipality and per country, but on average the process takes 8 to 20 weeks. If a zoning plan amendment is required, this can add several months to the process. A complete technical dossier significantly speeds up the assessment.
What standard applies to trampoline parks in Europe?
In Europe, trampoline parks are subject to the NEN-EN-ISO 23659 standard. Among other things, this standard determines the safety of jumping surfaces, fall protection, materials, and structures. An appointed inspection body assesses and certifies all components in a trampoline park before they can be used.
Does every part of a trampoline park have to be inspected?
Yes. An inspection authority inspects all trampolines, foam pits, airbags, sports zones, and interactive zones in accordance with the applicable standard. You may only use these components once they have been approved and the certificates have been issued.
What fire safety requirements apply to a trampoline park?
Trampoline parks must comply with requirements regarding escape routes, maximum occupancy, fire rating of materials, emergency lighting, and compartmentalization. Municipalities and fire departments conduct strict inspections because trampoline parks attract large crowds. In Germany, the standards are often even stricter.
When do you need an environmental permit for a trampoline park?
An environmental permit is required when you make structural changes to the building, such as installing trampoline structures, modifying load-bearing elements, increasing loads, or creating new escape routes. A technical package with drawings is essential for this.
How often should a trampoline park be re-inspected?
The inspection authority determines how often re-inspection is required. An accredited party carries out the annual, biennial, or periodic inspections. Operators also perform daily visual checks and are required to record these in a logbook.
Ready to get your trampoline park ready?
Permits and regulations largely determine the success of the project. By taking safety standards, structural requirements, inspections, permits, and operational guidelines into account from the outset, you reduce risks and speed up the entire process leading up to the opening of your trampoline park.
Would you like to discuss your plans or do you have questions about how to translate these rules into a workable design? Contact our team. We are happy to help you make your concept safe, feasible, and future-proof.
