Fire Alarm Permit Requirements in Fresno, California

Installing a fire alarm system in Fresno requires permits from either the Fresno Fire Department (City of Fresno) or the Fresno County Fire Protection District, depending on project location. This guide covers the permit process, licensing requirements, and inspection procedures for fire alarm installations.

Quick Answer: Do You Need a Fire Alarm Permit in Fresno?

Yes. Fire alarm system installations in Fresno require permits and plan review. The City of Fresno Fire Department handles permits within city limits, while the Fresno County Fire Protection District covers unincorporated areas and some contract cities.

When Fire Alarm Permits Are Required

Permits are required for:

• New fire alarm system installations
• Fire alarm system modifications or additions
• Panel replacements or upgrades
• Emergency Responder Radio Coverage (ERRC) systems
• Smoke detector and carbon monoxide alarm installations
• Integration with automatic sprinkler systems
• Commercial cooking hood suppression system connections

Permit Exemptions

Limited exemptions may apply for:

• Battery replacements in existing devices
• Minor maintenance not affecting system configuration
• Residential standalone smoke alarms (battery-operated)

Contact the appropriate fire department to confirm exemptions for your specific project.

Contractor Licensing Requirements

Fire alarm installations in California require proper state licensing:

License Type	Issuing Agency	Scope
C-10 Electrical	California CSLB	Fire alarm systems (required)
C-16 Fire Protection	California CSLB	Fire suppression (non-electrical)

Important: A C-10 license is required for fire alarm work in California. The C-7 Low Voltage license does not cover fire alarm systems. Employees performing fire alarm work must also hold a Fire/Life Safety Technician certification from the California Department of Industrial Relations.

For complete California licensing information, see our California Low Voltage License Guide.

City of Fresno Permit Process

Step 1: Plan Preparation

Plans must include:

• Installing contractor name, address, and phone number
• License classification and license number
• Wet stamp and signature on each sheet
• California Building Code (CBC) occupancy group
• Indication of whether building has automatic fire sprinkler system
• Signal transmission means per NFPA 72

Step 2: Submit for Plan Review

Submit plans to the Fresno Fire Department Fire Prevention Division for review. Plans must comply with:

• California Fire Code (CFC)
• California Building Code (CBC)
• California Electrical Code (CEC) Section 300.21 for fire-resistive penetrations
• NFPA 72 for signal transmission requirements

Step 3: Pay Fees and Obtain Permit

Pay applicable fees and receive your permit before beginning installation.

Step 4: Installation and Inspection

Complete installation per approved plans and schedule inspection with the Fire Prevention Division.

Fresno County Fire Protection District Process

For projects in unincorporated Fresno County:

Step 1: Verify Jurisdiction

Call (559) 319-0400 to confirm your project is within Fresno County Fire Protection District boundaries.

Step 2: Submit Plans

Submit:

• Fire Permit Application
• Two sets of plans (24" x 36" format)
• Plan review fee (see current fee schedule)

Submit to: Fresno County Fire Protection District, Protection and Planning Bureau, 1700 Jensen Ave #103, Sanger, CA 93657

Make checks payable to: Fresno County Fire Protection District

Step 3: Plan Review

Plans are reviewed for compliance with California Fire Code (CFC) and California Building Code (CBC). Submit plans at least two weeks prior to requesting inspection.

Step 4: Schedule Inspection

When installation is complete, call (559) 319-0400 with your permit number, project name, and address to schedule inspection.

Fees

City of Fresno Fees

Fee Type	Amount
Plan Check (fire alarms)	$134.00/hour (1 hour minimum)
Overtime Inspection	$186.00/hour (1 hour minimum)

Fresno County Fees

Refer to the current Fresno County Fire Protection District fee schedule. Fees vary by project scope.

Residential vs. Commercial Projects

Residential

• Permits required for smoke detector and CO alarm installation
• City of Fresno Building and Safety Division regulates residential installations
• Simpler plan review for single-family homes
• Must comply with California Residential Code requirements

Commercial

• Full fire department plan review required
• Must interconnect with other fire suppression systems as required
• NFPA 72 compliance mandatory
• More complex inspection requirements
• May require coordination with building department permits

Ongoing Inspection Requirements

After installation, fire alarm systems require regular testing per NFPA 72:

Component	Inspection Frequency
Visual inspection of control unit	Semiannually
Remote annunciators	Semiannually
Smoke detector sensitivity testing	Within 1 year of installation, then every 2 years

Detectors outside listed sensitivity range must be cleaned, recalibrated, or replaced.

Contact Information

City of Fresno Fire Department - Fire Prevention Division

• Phone: (559) 621-4181
• Fire Hazard Reporting: (559) 621-4199
• Website: fresno.gov/fire

Fresno County Fire Protection District - Protection and Planning

• Phone: (559) 319-0400
• Address: 1700 Jensen Ave #103, Sanger, CA 93657
• Website: fresnocountyfire.org

California CSLB

• Phone: (800) 321-2752
• Website: cslb.ca.gov

Pro Tips from the Field

• Verify jurisdiction first: City of Fresno and Fresno County have different permit processes. Confirm which applies to your project location.
• Submit plans early: Allow at least two weeks for plan review before you need to schedule inspection.
• Wet stamp required: Plans must have your contractor wet stamp and signature on each sheet.
• Document sprinkler integration: Plans must indicate if the building has automatic sprinklers and show interconnection.
• Fire/Life Safety certification: Ensure your technicians hold the required DIR certification for fire alarm work.
• Keep inspection records: Maintain NFPA 72 compliant documentation of all testing and inspections.

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Related Permit Guides

• Los Angeles Fire Alarm Permit Requirements
• San Francisco Fire Alarm Permit Requirements
• San Diego Fire Alarm Permit Requirements
• California Low Voltage License Guide