Fire Alarm Permit Requirements in St. Paul, Minnesota

Installing fire alarm systems in St. Paul requires both electrical permits and fire alarm permits, along with proper Minnesota state contractor licensing. This guide covers the permit application process, fees, inspection requirements, and technical specifications for compliant installations.

Quick Answer: Do You Need a Permit?

Yes, fire alarm permits are required in St. Paul. You must obtain both an electrical permit and a fire alarm permit before installation. Apply through the PAULIE online system, where your fire alarm permit is automatically created when you submit an electrical permit application. Permits cost $78 per control panel plus $1.88 per device.

When Is a Fire Alarm Permit Required?

St. Paul requires fire alarm permits for:

• New fire alarm system installations
• Modifications or additions to existing systems
• Commercial buildings with monitored alarm systems
• Multifamily residential buildings (3+ stories or 16+ units)
• Industrial facilities requiring fire detection

How Do I Apply for a Fire Alarm Permit?

Online Application (Recommended)

1. Create account in PAULIE (St. Paul's online permit system)
2. Submit Electrical Commercial Fire Alarm Permit application
3. Fire alarm permit automatically created with electrical permit
4. Upload plans for multifamily, commercial, or industrial buildings
5. Receive approved permit before starting work

Paper Application

Submit both electrical permit and fire alarm permit applications to:

St. Paul Electrical Inspections
375 Jackson Street, Suite 220
Saint Paul, MN 55101
Phone: 651-266-9003

For residential systems, submit three (3) sets of plans and specifications with the permit application.

What Contractor Licenses Are Required?

Fire alarm contractors must be licensed by the State of Minnesota:

• Fire Protection Contractor License: Required for fire alarm system installation
• Power Limited Technician (PLT) License: Required for individuals performing low-voltage alarm work
• Technology Systems Contractor (TSC) License: Required for alarm company businesses

Each contractor must register in PAULIE—only one person per company may register and must hold a current license.

For detailed licensing requirements, see our Minnesota Low Voltage License Guide.

What Are the Fees and Timeline?

Item	Fee	Timeline
Fire alarm control panel	$78.00 each	-
Each device (detector, pull station, etc.)	$1.88 per device	-
Permit validity	-	180 days to commence
Commercial project completion	-	1 year (under $500K)
Inspection scheduling	Included	Within 2 business days

What Are the Technical Requirements?

St. Paul fire alarm systems must meet these specifications:

• Dedicated circuit: Panel must be hard-wired to dedicated circuit
• Overcurrent protection: Device must be inaccessible to unauthorized personnel
• Labeling: Overcurrent device must be labeled "Fire Alarm Panel"
• Documentation: Location of overcurrent device marked inside alarm panel
• Battery backup: Sized per NFPA 72 requirements and supervised
• Heat detectors: Required in boiler rooms, laundry rooms, storage rooms, maintenance shops

What Are Residential Fire Alarm Requirements?

Residential buildings in St. Paul require fire alarm systems when:

• Building is 3 or more stories (not counting garden level)
• Building contains 16 or more dwelling units

Requirements include:

• Manual and automatic fire alarm system
• Heat detectors in mechanical and storage areas
• Automatic detection may be required in common areas
• NFPA 72-compliant battery backup

How Does the Inspection Process Work?

1. Obtain approved permit before commencing work
2. Complete installation per approved plans
3. Request inspection through PAULIE
4. Inspector responds within 2 business days to schedule
5. Coordinate final test with Building Owner/Manager, Electrical Inspector, and Fire Safety Inspector
6. Obtain permit sign-off from all parties

Contact for Inspections:

• Electrical Inspector: 651-266-9003 (7:30-9:00 AM, Mon-Fri)
• Fire Safety Inspector: 651-266-8989

Pro Tips from Contractors

• Calculate device count: At $1.88 per device, accurate counts help with accurate bids
• Register early: PAULIE registration required before first permit application
• 180-day rule: Start work within 180 days or permit expires
• Coordinate final: Schedule all three parties (owner, electrical, fire) for final inspection
• Label everything: Overcurrent device labeling is a common inspection failure point
• Battery documentation: Have NFPA 72 calculations ready for inspector

Related Permit Guides for St. Paul

• Security Camera Permits in St. Paul

Stay Ahead of Permit Activity

Want to know when fire alarm projects hit permits in St. Paul before they reach bid boards?

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