Fire Alarm Permit Requirements in Jefferson County, Colorado

Quick Answer: Fire alarm installations in unincorporated Jefferson County, Colorado require permits through Jefferson County Building Safety. Contractors must obtain a Jefferson County Contractors License, which requires passing an appropriate ICC exam or holding a valid license from an ICC-participating jurisdiction. Fire alarm work must also comply with requirements from the local fire authority.

Permit Requirements Overview

Jefferson County handles permitting through their Building Safety department for unincorporated areas. Municipalities within the county (Lakewood, Golden, Arvada) have their own permit processes.

Permits Required For:

• New fire alarm system installations
• Fire alarm system modifications
• System additions and upgrades
• Commercial fire alarm systems
• Multi-family residential systems

Contractor Licensing Requirements

All contractors applying for permits in Unincorporated Jefferson County must obtain a Jefferson County Contractors License.

License Requirements:

• Submit Contractor License application
• Pass appropriate ICC exam within last 3 years, OR
• Provide valid license from ICC-participating jurisdiction
• Valid photo ID/Driver's License
• No unresolved building code issues on existing permits

ICC Exam Scheduling

If you need to take an ICC exam:

• Contact Pearson Vue at 1-877-234-6082
• Schedule online at Pearson Vue website
• Exam must be passed within 3 years of application

Important Notes

• Unincorporated Jefferson County does not license State-Licensed Electricians separately
• License renewal requires no unresolved building code issues
• Expired permits or illegal occupancy prevents renewal

Permit Application Process

Step 1: Obtain Contractor License

• Complete license application
• Provide proof of ICC exam or reciprocal license
• Submit identification documents

Step 2: Submit Permit Application

• Apply online through Citizen Portal or in person
• Include fire alarm system plans
• Provide equipment specifications
• Submit NFPA 72 compliance documentation

Step 3: Fire Authority Review

• Local fire district reviews plans
• May require additional documentation
• Coordination with building permit review

Step 4: Inspections

• Schedule rough-in inspection
• Complete installation
• Final inspection with acceptance testing

Contact Information

Jefferson County Building Safety
100 Jefferson County Parkway
Golden, CO 80419
Phone: (303) 271-8200
Website: jeffco.us

Fire Authorities in Jefferson County

Multiple fire districts serve Jefferson County. Your fire authority depends on location:

• West Metro Fire Protection District - Lakewood, Wheat Ridge areas
• Arvada Fire Protection District - Arvada area
• Golden Fire Department - City of Golden
• Fairmount Fire Protection District - Eastern Jefferson County
• Evergreen Fire Rescue - Evergreen and mountain communities
• Genesee Fire Protection District - Genesee area

Contact the appropriate fire authority for specific requirements in your project area.

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
• Jefferson County Building Codes: Local amendments

Fees and Timeline

Fee Type	Estimated Amount	Notes
Contractor License	Contact county	Renewal required
Fire Alarm Permit	Based on valuation	Varies by project
Plan Review	Included in permit	May require resubmittal fee
Inspections	Included in permit	Additional inspections may cost extra

Municipalities Within Jefferson County

Cities within Jefferson County have their own permit processes:

• Lakewood: See Lakewood Fire Alarm Permit Guide
• Golden: Contact Golden Building Department
• Arvada: Contact Arvada Building Division
• Wheat Ridge: Contact city building department
• Edgewater: Contact city directly

Residential vs. Commercial Requirements

Residential Fire Alarm

• Single-family homes require smoke detectors per code
• Monitored systems may require alarm registration
• Multi-family buildings need full fire alarm systems
• Mountain homes may have additional requirements

Commercial Fire Alarm

• All commercial systems require permits
• Plans must meet NFPA 72 requirements
• Voice evacuation required for certain occupancies
• Fire department connection and monitoring required

Pro Tips from Local Contractors

• Verify Jurisdiction: Confirm if in county or municipality
• ICC Exam Early: Complete exam before needing to pull permits
• Fire Authority Coordination: Contact fire district early in design
• Online Portal: Use Jeffco Citizen Portal for faster processing
• Mountain Properties: Plan for access and power challenges
• License Renewal: Resolve any code issues before renewal date

State Requirements

The Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control (DFPC) oversees fire protection at the state level. Check with DFPC for any additional certifications or requirements that may apply to your work.

Stay Ahead of Permit Activity

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Related Permit Guides

• Jefferson County Security Camera Permit Requirements
• Lakewood Fire Alarm Permit Requirements
• Denver Fire Alarm Permit Requirements
• Colorado Low Voltage Contractor License Guide

Official Resources

• Jefferson County Contractor Licensing
• Jefferson County Licenses & Permits
• Jefferson County License Categories
• Colorado DFPC Certifications