(a) The Fire Chief shall prepare application forms and a filing system for permits to be issued pursuant to the Fire Prevention Code and shall perform all functions required thereunder.
(b) The following schedule shall apply to all Fire Prevention Code and permit fees within the City:
Administrative Fees | Fee | Term | |
Inspection or acceptance test (after normal working hours plus $25 per hour or portion thereof,) | $200 | ||
Reinspection, retesting or additional testing | $50 | Each | |
Additional plan review | $25 | Per hour | |
Fire Inspection Fees | Fee | Term | |
SI | Self-inspection by property owner for compliance with Fire Code regulations. | $25 | Annual |
I-1 | Inspection of any structure with an area less than three thousand (3,000) square feet, for compliance with fire code regulations. | $75 | Biannual |
I-2 | Inspection of any structure with an area between equal or greater than three thousand (3,000) and less than ten thousand (10,000) square feet, for compliance with fire code regulations. | $100 | Biannual |
I-3 | Inspection of any structure with an area equal or greater than ten thousand (10,000) and less than twenty thousand (20,000) square feet for compliance with fire code regulations. | $150 | Annual |
I-4 | Inspection of any structure with an area equal or greater than twenty thousand (20,000) square feet for compliance with fire code regulations. | $300 | Annual |
R-1 | First reinspection to ensure mitigation of violations. | NC | |
R-2 | Any subsequent reinspection to determine compliance if initial reinspection reveals the violation has not been mitigated. | $80 | Per visit |
Additional fee for program non-compliance | 20% of inspection fee | ||
Inspections after normal working hours. | $350 | Per visit | |
Adoption, foster home inspection. | NC | ||
Certificate of fire code compliance. | $20 | ||
Fire Watch (per hour or portion thereof per inspector) | $25 | Per hour | |
Fireworks (per hour/per inspector) | $25 | Per hour | |
Section | Operational Permits | Fee | Term |
105.6.1 | Aerosol products | $65 | Annual |
105.6.2 | Amusement buildings | $65 | Annual |
105.6.3 | Aviation facilities | $65 | Annual |
105.6.4 | Carnivals and fairs | $65 | Event |
105.6.5 | Cellulose nitrate films | $100 | Annual |
105.6.6 | Combustible dust-producing operations | $65 | Annual |
105.6.7 | Combustible fibers | $65 | Annual |
105.6.8 | Compressed gases | $65 | Annual |
- Flammable in excess of 200 cu. ft. | |||
- Highly toxic or toxic; any amount | |||
- Inert and simple asphyxiant in excess of 6,000 cu. ft. | |||
- Corrosive in excess of 200 cu. ft. | |||
- Oxidizing in excess of 504 cu. ft. | |||
105.6.9 | Covered mall buildings | $65 | Annual |
105.6.10 | Cryogenic fluids | $65 | Annual |
105.6.11 | Cutting and welding | $30 | Annual |
105.6.12 | Dry cleaning plants | $65 | Annual |
105.6.13 | Exhibits and trade shows | $90 | Event |
105.6.14 | Explosives | ||
- Store, handle, sale | $300 | Annual | |
- Use of explosives | $300 | Annual | |
- Transport explosives | $100 | Annual | |
- Store/sale ammunition | $100 | Annual | |
- Black powder, store/sale | $65 | Annual | |
- Fireworks display | $100 | Event | |
105.6.15 | Fire hydrants and valves (use) | $25 | Day |
Section | Operational Permits (Cont.) | Fee | Term |
105.6.16 | Flammable and combustible liquids | ||
- Temporary (less than 30 days) | $35 | ||
- Class 1 > 5 gal. inside or 10 gal. stored/used outside | $35 | Annual | |
- Use or store Class II and Class IIIA | $65 | Annual | |
- To operate tank vehicles, equipment, plants, terminals | $65 | Annual | |
- Use or store aboveground or underground tanks/systems | $65 | Annual | |
- To manufacture, process, blend or refine | $100 | Annual | |
- Liquid storage room | $65 | Per room | |
- Liquid storage warehouse | $100 | Annual | |
- Use, dispense and mix room | $65 | Per room | |
105.6.17 | Floor finishing | $65 | Event |
105.6.18 | Fruit and crop ripening | $65 | Annual |
105.6.19 | Fumigation and thermal insecticidal fogging | $35 | Event |
General fire code permit | $50 | ||
105.6.20 | Hazardous Materials | $200 | Annual |
105.6.21 | HPM facilities | $200 | Annual |
105.6.22 | High-piled storage | $65 | Annual |
105.6.23 | Hot work operations | $65 | Annual |
105.6.24 | Industrial ovens | $30 | Annual |
105.6.25 | Lumber yards and woodworking plants | $65 | Annual |
105.6.26 | Liquid or gas-fueled vehicles or equipment in assembly buildings | $65 | Event |
105.6.27 | LP-gas | $65 | Per tank |
105.6.28 | Magnesium | $65 | Annual |
105.6.29 | Miscellaneous combustible storage | $50 | Annual |
105.6.30 | Open burning (except recreational fires) | $25 | Event |
105.6.31 | Open flames and torches | $65 | Annual |
Section | Operational Permits (Cont.) | Fee | Term |
105.6.32 | Open flames and candles | $65 | Annual |
- In conjunction with other permits | $10 | Annual | |
105.6.33 | Organic coatings | $75 | Annual |
105.6.34 | Places of assembly | ||
- Less than 100 occupants | $10 | Annual | |
- Each additional 100 occupants | $25 | Annual | |
- Maximum | $200 | Annual | |
105.6.35 | Private fire hydrants (add/remove/use) | $65 | Event |
105.6.36 | Pyrotechnic special effects material | $150 | Event |
105.6.37 | Pyroxylin plastics | $65 | Annual |
105.6.38 | Refrigeration equipment | $65 | Annual |
105.6.39 | Repair garages and motor fuel-dispensing facilities | $65 | Annual |
105.6.40 | Rooftop heliports | $100 | Annual |
105.6.41 | Spraying or dipping | $65 | Annual |
105.6.42 | Storage of scrap tires and tire byproducts | $65 | Annual |
105.6.43 | Tents, air supported structures (over 300 sq. ft.) | $65 | Event |
105.6.44 | Tire-rebuilding plants | $65 | Annual |
105.6.45 | Waste handling | $65 | Annual |
105.6.46 | Wood products | $65 | Annual |
Section | Construction Permits | Fee | Term |
All construction permit fees include initial plan review and first inspection/acceptance test during normal working hours unless otherwise specified. Additional fees required for plan resubmission, retest, additional tests, and tests after normal working hours. | |||
Acceptance test after normal working hours: initial fees + base + $25 per hour or portion thereof | $100 | Base | |
Section | Construction Permits (Cont.) | Fee | Term |
105.7.1 | Automatic sprinkler systems (install or modification) | ||
- Base fee | $200 | ||
- plus $0.40 per head | $0.40 | ||
Underground pressure test/flush | $150 | ||
Automatic fire extinguishing systems (per system) | $75 | ||
Commercial hood system | $75 | ||
Smoke control system | $150 | ||
Emergency generator test | $100 | ||
105.7.2 | Battery systems | $95 | |
105.7.3 | Compressed gases | $75 | |
105.7.4 | Fire alarm and detection systems | ||
- Base fee | $50 | ||
- plus $1.00 per device | $1.00 | ||
105.7.5 | Fire pumps and related equipment | $150 | |
105.7.6 | Flammable and combustible liquids | ||
- Install, construct or alter tank or equipment | $75 | ||
- Install, alter, remove, abandon, or otherwise dispose of tank | $75 | ||
- Temporary closure | $50 | ||
- Construct a Use/Dispensing and Mixing Room, Liquid Storage Room, or Liquid Storage Warehouse | $155 | ||
- Flammable liquids dispensing (per dispenser) | $10 | ||
105.7.7 | Hazardous materials | $100 | |
105.7.8 | Industrial ovens | $100 | |
Section | Construction Permits (Cont.) | Fee | Term |
105.7.9 | LP-gas | ||
- Permanent AST tank installation (per tank) | $75 | ||
- Permanent UST tank installation (per tank) | $150 | ||
- Temporary tank installation | $45 | ||
Special event inspection/permit | $100 | ||
105.7.10 | Private fire hydrants | $45 | |
105.7.11 | Spraying or dipping operations | $75 | |
105.7.12 | Standpipe systems (per riser) | $75 | |
105.7.13 | Temporary membrane structures, tents, canopies (except recreational camping, funeral tents) | $25 | |
(c) Fire Safety Self-inspection Program. The Fire Chief may implement a self-inspection program for monitoring compliance with fire safety laws and regulations as adopted by the City. Property owners or primary lessees that are eligible, as determined by the Fire Department, for the fire safety self-inspection program, shall adhere to the requirements of such program as implemented by the Fire Department and shall be subject to the fee provided in Section (b) above.
(d) False Fire Alarm Fees.
Definitions:
Commercial Property: Any structure or occupancy use not classified as Residential Property as defined in this section.
False Alarm: The activation of any fire alarm system which results in a response by the fire department and where the fire department determines that the activation of a fire alarm system was not related to a fire or life safety emergency.
Fire Alarm System: A system or portion of a combination system consisting of components and circuits arranged to monitor and/or exterior annunciate the status of a fire alarm or supervisory signal-initiating devices and to initiate the appropriate response to those signals.
Owner: Any person who owns the premises in which a fire alarm system is installed
or the person or persons who lease, operate, occupy or manage the premises. The owner shall be responsible for the activation of a fire alarm system.
Residential Property: Any structure or occupancy use classified as one-, two- or three-family dwellings.
False fire alarms that qualify under this section include:
(1) Alarm caused by improper installation or maintenance of the fire alarm system. This includes missing backup batteries, loose connections, smoke detectors mounted near air vents or otherwise overly sensitive detection devices.
(2) Alarm caused by alarm user or alarm company working on the system or testing the system without notifying the alarm company or fire dispatch.
(3) False alarm activated by owner or an employee.
(4) Occupant conducting a fire drill without notifying the alarm company or fire dispatch.
(5) Alarm caused by an employee of the business or family member of a residence smoking near a detector.
(6) Alarm caused by normal cooking where the owner could relocate a smoke detector or provide better ventilation.
(7) Alarm caused by dust from building or site construction or demolition.
(8) Burglar alarm reported as a fire alarm by an alarm company.
(9) Alarm for which there is no explanation. If a cause for the alarm cannot be identified - no pull station activated, smoke was not present, etc. - the alarm system will be assumed to have malfunctioned and the fee assessment applies.
A response to the activation of a fire alarm system shall result when any officer or member of the Fire Department is dispatched to the premises where the fire alarm system has been activated.
The fire official may also require the owner to return a completed Report of Service/Repair within fifteen (15) days of receipt of the fire alarm activation report to verify, to the reasonable satisfaction of the fire official, that:
(1) The fire alarm system has actually been examined by a qualified fire alarm technician; and
(2) A bona fide attempt has been made to identify and correct any defect of design, installation or operation of the fire alarm system which was identifiable as the cause of the false fire alarm.
Failure to return a Report of Service/Repair within said fifteen (15) day period, which is reasonably satisfactory to the fire official, shall result in a fee assessment against the owner of a fee for the false fire alarm.
The provisions of this section shall not apply to any newly installed fire alarm system for a period of forty-five days (45) from the date of installation, but shall apply from and after the expiration of the initial forty-five day (45) period following installation.
False Fire Alarms. No fee shall be assessed for the first two (2) false fire alarms at the same premises responded to by the Fire Department during each calendar year. Thereafter, the owner shall pay a fee for false fire alarms responded to by the Fire Department at the same premises during each calendar year, except when the fire alarm business is responsible for the false fire alarm. If the fire official determines that a false fire alarm was directly caused by an onsite employee or representative of the fire alarm business, the fire alarm business shall be assessed the fee and the incident shall not be counted against the owner. False fire alarms activated by any components connected to the fire alarm system shall be included in computing the total number of false fire alarms for purposes of this subsection. The activation of a fire alarm system will not be considered a false fire alarm if the alarm is activated due to malicious causes beyond the control of the owner.
The fees for false fire alarms may be assessed as follows:
Description | Residential | Commercial |
Failure to return a Report of Service/Repair | $500 | $500 |
False alarm caused by on-site alarm company employee | $350 | $350 |
Service fee - 3rd false fire alarm | $120 | $240 |
Service fee - 4th false fire alarm | $150 | $300 |
Service fee - 5th false fire alarm | $180 | $360 |
Service fee - 6th and above false fire alarm | $200 | $400 |
Late payment fee | $25 | |
If fee not paid within 30 days, fee increases to $300 fee per occurrence. | ||
(e) Motor Vehicle Collision or Technical Rescue Incident Fee. The Fire Department shall initiate a user fee for the delivery of Fire Department services, personnel, supplies, and equipment to the scene of a motor vehicle collision or crash (MVC) or to technical rescue incidents, including, but not limited to, securing the scene of the accident, establishment of a safety zone, extrication of victims trapped, providing any fire/medical services, and the extinguishment of vehicle fires, as necessary. The rate of the user fee shall include the actual costs incurred by the Fire Department.
The user fee shall be billed to the motor vehicle and/or insurance carrier of the responsible person for the incident, representing an add-on-cost of the claim for damages. The City will accept the amount received from the insurance company as full payment.
(f) Site Assessment Fee. The fee assessed for a review of property records of tanks, ground contamination, or hazardous materials spills at a particular site or property. A fee of $25 per site or property reviewed.
(g) Charges for Emergency Ambulance Transport. A fee shall be charged to recipients of emergency medical services (ambulance) transportation performed by Fire Department, from the emergency site to the nearest appropriate hospital and/or medical facility. For all City residents, invoicing will be in the form of a request of an assignment of insurance company proceeds available to the resident, and the City will accept as full payment the usual and customary rates as allowed by the particular insurance company. The City will not charge or collect any amount of money in excess of the insurance payments received and available to any resident who receives fire department services for the reason that operating revenues received from local taxes, of all kinds, are being treated as payment of otherwise applicable co-payments and deductibles.
Nonresidents will be invoiced for the entire cost of the rescue squad services after being credited for any available assignment of insurance company proceeds.
Fees shall be assessed on the following basis:
Level of service | Fee |
Basic life support transport | $335 |
Advanced life support transport | $620 |
(h) The Fire Chief may waive any or all of the above fee requirements in cases of hardship.
(i) The City Manager and/or Finance Director are authorized to contract with a company specializing in the billing of Fire Department services for cost recovery and collection of such user fees as a result of the above services being provided.
(Ord. 14-07AC CMS. Passed 4-7-14.)