Fire Alarm Permit Requirements in Arapahoe County, Colorado

Quick Answer: Fire alarm installations in unincorporated Arapahoe County, Colorado require permits and contractor licensing through the Arapahoe County Building Division. Contractors must obtain a Fire Alarm/Detection Systems License, which requires proof of at least one year of experience or an active NICET Level II fire alarm certificate. All licenses expire one year from issuance.

Contractor Licensing Requirements

All contractors performing fire alarm work in unincorporated Arapahoe County must be licensed.

Fire Alarm/Detection Systems License

This license allows contractors to perform fire alarm and detection systems installation. Requirements include:

• Experience: Minimum one (1) year in fire alarm systems installation, OR
• Certification: Active NICET Level II fire alarm certificate
• License Duration: Expires one year from date of issuance
• Renewal: Annual renewal required

Alternative: Specialty Contractor License

Arapahoe County offers a specialty license covering multiple trades including:

• Fire alarm/detection systems
• Access control systems
• Low-voltage/data systems
• Special applications

New Licensing Program Notice

Arapahoe County has implemented a new contractor licensing program. If your current license starts with letters "BCL," you must apply for a new license rather than renewing.

Permit Application Process

Step 1: Obtain Contractor License

• Complete license application with required documentation
• Provide proof of experience or NICET certification
• Submit insurance certificates
• Pay applicable license fees

Step 2: Submit Permit Application

• Provide complete fire alarm system plans
• Include equipment specifications
• Show device locations and wiring routes
• Submit NFPA 72 compliance documentation

Step 3: Plan Review

• Building Division reviews submitted plans
• Fire authority reviews for code compliance
• Corrections may be required before approval

Step 4: Permit Issuance and Inspections

• Pay permit fees upon approval
• Schedule rough-in inspection
• Complete installation
• Schedule final inspection and acceptance test

Contact Information

Arapahoe County Building Division
6924 S. Lima Street
Centennial, CO 80112
Phone: (720) 874-6550
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Appointments recommended. Most services available by phone, email, or online.

Fire Authority Jurisdiction

Multiple fire authorities serve Arapahoe County. Your fire authority depends on property location:

• South Metro Fire Rescue - Centennial, Greenwood Village, portions of Aurora
• Cunningham Fire Protection District - Eastern Arapahoe County
• Sable Altura Fire Rescue - Northeast areas
• Aurora Fire Rescue - City of Aurora (portions in Arapahoe County)
• Littleton Fire Rescue - Littleton area

Coordinate with the appropriate fire authority for system design review and inspections.

Code Requirements

Fire alarm systems must comply with:

• NFPA 72: National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code
• NFPA 70: National Electrical Code
• International Fire Code: As adopted by Colorado
• Arapahoe County Building Code: Local amendments

Fees and Timeline

Fee Type	Estimated Amount	Notes
Contractor License	Contact county	Annual renewal
Fire Alarm Permit	Based on valuation	Varies by project size
Plan Review	Included in permit	May require resubmittal fee
Inspections	Included in permit	Additional inspection fees may apply

Processing Timeline

• Contractor License: 1-2 weeks
• Plan Review: 2-4 weeks (varies by complexity)
• Inspections: Schedule 24-48 hours in advance

Residential vs. Commercial Requirements

Residential Fire Alarm

• Single-family homes require smoke detectors per code
• Monitored systems may need additional permits
• Multi-family buildings require full fire alarm systems
• Townhomes and condos follow multi-family requirements

Commercial Fire Alarm

• All commercial systems require permits
• Plans must be prepared by licensed contractor or engineer
• Occupancy type determines system requirements
• Voice evacuation required for certain occupancies
• Fire department connection and monitoring required

Municipalities Within Arapahoe County

Note that incorporated municipalities may have additional or different requirements:

• Aurora: Separate permit process through Aurora Building Division
• Centennial: Uses Arapahoe County for building services
• Greenwood Village: Contact city for specific requirements
• Littleton: Separate building department
• Cherry Hills Village: Contact city directly

Pro Tips from Local Contractors

• Verify Jurisdiction: Confirm if property is in unincorporated county or municipality
• NICET Certification: Having NICET Level II simplifies licensing process
• Fire Authority Coordination: Contact fire district early in design phase
• Online Portal: Use Arapahoe County Customer Access portal for applications
• Appointment First: Schedule appointment before visiting Lima Plaza office
• License Renewal: Track expiration date - licenses expire annually

Documentation Requirements

For permit applications, prepare:

• Complete fire alarm system drawings
• Battery and power supply calculations
• Device schedules with specifications
• Sequence of operations
• Wiring diagrams
• Equipment cut sheets
• NFPA 72 compliance documentation

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Related Permit Guides

• Arapahoe County Security Camera Permit Requirements
• Aurora Fire Alarm Permit Requirements
• Denver Fire Alarm Permit Requirements
• Colorado Low Voltage Contractor License Guide

Official Resources

• Arapahoe County Contractor Licensing
• Arapahoe County Permits and Approvals
• Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control