Fire Alarm Permit Requirements in Yavapai County, Arizona

Quick Answer: Fire alarm system installations in Yavapai County require building permits from Yavapai County Development Services for commercial projects. Contractors must hold an Arizona ROC C-16 (Fire Protection Systems) or C-67 (Low Voltage) license. The county follows 2024 Building Codes and NFPA 72 standards effective January 1, 2026.

When Are Permits Required?

Fire alarm installations in Yavapai County require permits for:

• New commercial fire alarm system installations
• Modifications or extensions to existing systems
• Fire alarm systems in new construction
• Tenant improvement projects affecting life safety
• Systems required by fire code based on occupancy type

Typically Exempt

• Single-family residential smoke detectors
• Like-for-like device replacements
• Minor repairs not affecting system operation

Jurisdiction and Fire Authority

Yavapai County (Unincorporated Areas)

For unincorporated areas with no authorized fire district, the Arizona State Fire Marshal has jurisdiction. Contact:

• Arizona State Fire Marshal: dffm.az.gov/fire-marshal

Incorporated Cities

Cities within Yavapai County have their own fire departments and permit requirements:

City	Fire Authority
Prescott	City of Prescott Fire Department
Prescott Valley	Central Arizona Fire and Medical Authority
Cottonwood	Contact city directly
Sedona	Sedona Fire District
Camp Verde	Contact city directly

City of Prescott Fire Alarm Requirements

For projects within City of Prescott limits:

Code Requirements

• 2018 International Fire Code as amended by City of Prescott
• NFPA 72 - National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code
• Fire alarm plan review required before installation

Plan Submission Requirements

• Construction documents and calculations required
• Review certification by minimum NICET Level III Technician
• OR certification by Arizona registrant (P.E.)
• Submit for approval prior to system installation

Prescott Fire Department Contact

• Permits: prescott-az.gov Fire Permits
• Application: Fire Protection Systems Plan Approval form

Arizona Contractor Licensing Requirements

Fire alarm installations require proper Arizona ROC licensing:

Primary License Classifications

Classification	Experience	Scope
C-16 Fire Protection Systems	4 years	Commercial fire alarm, sprinkler
CR-16 Fire Protection (Dual)	4 years	Commercial and residential
C-67 Low Voltage	2 years	Commercial alarm systems
CR-67 Low Voltage (Dual)	2 years	Commercial and residential

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

Yavapai County Development Services

Contact Information

• Prescott Office: (928) 771-3214
• Cottonwood Office: (928) 639-8151
• Website: yavapaiaz.gov/Development-Services
• Online Portal: Citizenserve Portal

Current Codes (Effective January 1, 2026)

• 2024 International Building Code
• 2024 International Fire Code
• 2023 National Electrical Code
• NFPA 72 - Referenced for fire alarm systems

Code Compliance Requirements

NFPA 72 Key Requirements

• Sound levels: Minimum 75 dB in occupied areas
• Secondary power: 24 hours standby + 5 minutes alarm
• Manual pull stations: At least one required in most systems
• Annual testing: Required for all systems
• Record of completion: Required documentation

Commercial Building Requirements

• Fire alarm required per IFC Section 907.2
• Occupant notification per Section 907.5
• Automatic detection where required by occupancy
• Central station monitoring typically required

Fees and Timeline

Fee Type	Amount	Notes
Plan Review	Based on project value	Required for commercial
Building Permit	Based on project value	Due at issuance
Fire Permit (Prescott)	Contact city	City projects only
Plan Review Time	5-15 business days	Varies by complexity

Residential vs. Commercial

Residential Fire Alarm

• Single-family: smoke detectors per IRC
• Multi-family (3+ units): may require monitored system
• CR-16 or CR-67 license acceptable
• Generally simpler permitting

Commercial Fire Alarm

• Building permit and plan review required
• NICET Level III certification for plan review
• NFPA 72 compliance mandatory
• C-16 or C-67 license required
• Central station monitoring typically required

Pro Tips from Experienced Contractors

• Identify jurisdiction - County vs. city vs. fire district
• NICET certification - Level III required for Prescott plan review
• High elevation - Prescott at 5,400 ft may affect equipment
• Complete submittals - Missing items delay review
• Coordinate with GC - Fire alarm on critical path
• Test before final - Complete testing before inspection
• Verify monitoring - Central station active for final

Violations and Penalties

Per Yavapai County ordinance, it is unlawful to install fire protection systems without proper permits. Violations are punishable as a Class 2 Misdemeanor.

Stay Ahead of Permit Activity

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Related Permit Guides

• Arizona Low Voltage Contractor License Guide
• Yavapai County Security Camera Permit Requirements
• Browse All Permit Guides

Summary

Fire alarm installations in Yavapai County require coordination with the appropriate authority:

• Building permit from Yavapai County Development Services
• Fire authority approval (State Fire Marshal or local fire district)
• NICET Level III certification for Prescott plan review
• ROC C-16 or C-67 license required
• NFPA 72 compliance mandatory

Contact Yavapai County at (928) 771-3214 (Prescott) or (928) 639-8151 (Cottonwood) for specific requirements.