CONNECT with the CityPermits & Fees
Alarm Permits
The City of San Diego requires permits for burglary, robbery, fire, and harmful gas alarm systems for both residential and commercial properties. Read the Frequently Asked Questions about alarm system permits, and the Department policy on the process for administering the Fire/Harmful Gas Alarm System permits and how and when penalty mitigation would be appropriate. You may apply and pay your alarm permit fees online; or download, fill-in and print a downloadable application.
Learn more about the False Alarm Program.
Monitored Fire Alarm Permit
The City of San Diego Fire-Rescue Department requires a permit for monitored fire and/or harmful gas alarm systems for both residential and commercial properties. A fire alarm permit is $18.00 for 24 months and may be obtained using one of the following options:
Apply or Pay for Fire Alarm Permits
San Diego Fire-Rescue
Attn: Fire Alarms Clerk
525 B Street Suite 300
San Diego, CA 92101
Note: This is a separate permit requirement from the monitored security alarm permit requirement with the San Diego Police Department.
The installation or modification of a fire alarm system requires a Fire Permit from the Development Services Department.
New Construction
NEW! We’ve launched a new online process for DSA/HCAI Local Fire Authority Review. The process is now faster and easier through our Customer Portal. For more information and to request a plan review, please see the "DSA/HCAI Local Fire Authority Review" section below.
New construction and tenant improvements of existing buildings are also reviewed, but are submitted under the City's Development Services Department online permitting system with the exception of the applications listed below.
Site Safety Inspection NEW
The purpose of a Site Safety Inspection is to prescribe minimum safeguards for new building construction, demolition and significant building alteration projects in order to provide a reasonable degree of safety to life and property from fire.
This standard is based on the provisions of the 2022 California Fire Code (CFC) and NFPA 241 (2019 ed.). All new development requiring private fire access roads, fire hydrants, either temporary or permanent, or fire department connections serving a Class I standpipe system must contact the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department (SDFD) to request a Site Safety Inspection prior to combustible materials arriving on site.
Please refer to our SDFD Fire Safety During Construction and Demolition Standard for specific information and requirements.
DSA/HCAI Local Fire Authority Review
Construction plans for public school construction and certain other state-funded building projects are reviewed to ensure that plans, specifications, and construction comply with California's codes (Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations). The majority of DSA's plan review and construction oversight focuses on new construction and alteration projects for California K–12 schools and community college districts. DSA’s plan review ensures the project’s compliance with code requirements related to structural safety; fire and life safety; accessibility; and, sustainability.
Emergency Responder Communication Enhancement Systems
All new buildings must meet the minimum performance requirements for in-building, emergency responder communication coverage. Buildings meeting criteria as identified in the Scope of the SDFD Emergency Responder Communication Enhancement Systems (ERCES) Standard shall either provide Proof of Acceptable Coverage or install an ERCES to meet this requirement.
An SDFD issued construction permit is required for the installation of new ERCES and/or modification (altering, adding, or replacing) any components of an existing ERCES. Maintenance of the system performed in accordance with California Fire Code and the SDFD ERCES Standard is not considered a modification and does not require a permit pursuant to Section 510.3 in the California Fire Code.
Please thoroughly review the SDFD ERCES Standard prior to proceeding with an application.
- If you are applying for proof through testing of acceptable emergency responder communication coverage, please expand and complete the Apply for Proof of Acceptable Coverage section of this webpage. Failure of an acceptable coverage compliance test will require the installation of an ERCES.
- If you are applying for an ERCES construction permit, please expand and complete the Apply for ERCES Permit section of this webpage.
Scope
The provisions of this standard shall apply to the following buildings within the jurisdiction of SDFD.
New Buildings: All new buildings must meet the minimum performance requirements of CFC section 510 for in-building, emergency responder communication coverage.
- All new high-rise buildings MUST be provided with an ERCES. A wired phone-jack two-way communication system shall not be permitted to be installed in new high-rise buildings in lieu of the required ERCES.
Low-rise buildings meeting ANY of the following conditions shall either provide Proof of Acceptable coverage to SDFD or be provided with an ERCES:
- Buildings 3 or more stories above grade plane.
- Total building area exceeds 20,000 sq. ft.
- Building contains multiple stories below grade or a basement exceeding 2,500 sq. ft.
- Buildings determined by the fire code official as requiring evaluation based upon construction features or fire- and life-loss potential
Exceptions: Group R-3 occupancies
Existing Buildings: Existing buildings must comply with these requirements under the following conditions.
- Where a previously required two-way wired fire department communication system is removed.
- Where building permits are required for a change of use or occupancy in accordance with CFC 102.3. Radio coverage shall not be required if the building has an existing operational wired phone-jack system.
- Existing high-rise buildings without an existing wired fire department communication system (phone-jack system) are required to conduct a radio test to verify acceptable radio coverage. If the radio test fails, an ERCES shall be installed within three (3) years of the test date.
Buildings meeting criteria within the Scope of the SDFD ERCES Standard typically require installation of an ERCES to meet requirements. It is strongly recommended that considerations be made to provide for cabling pathways and installation of conduit (as needed) during building construction to accommodate an ERCES installation if testing indicates a system is needed to provide acceptable coverage.
Apply for ERCES Permit
Prior to submitting an application for ERCES Permit, please ensure all Plan Sets and System Design requirements are fulfilled as identified in the SDFD ERCES Standard.
Apply for Proof of Acceptable Coverage
Prior to submitting an application for Proof of Acceptable Coverage, please ensure the all testing requirements are fulfilled as identified in the SDFD ERCES Standard.
Special Events
NEW! We’ve launched a new online permitting process for Special Events. The process is now faster and easier through our Customer Portal. For more details on how to apply, please see the "Apply for a Special Events Permit" section below.
The Special Services section is responsible for special events such as Comic-Con, the Thunder Boat Races, street fairs, trade shows, high school Grad Nights; events at large public assemblies like Petco Park and the Sports Arena; events in locations where large number of people do not normally gather; and events in many other settings.
Special Events Guidelines
The Special Events Guidelines describe many of the events requiring a permit and outlines the procedure for obtaining the permit.
Some events require only a fire permit, while others require a permit from other City departments, including the Office of Special Events.
Regulation is based on the type of event, the setting, and the potential risk to the participants and the surrounding community.
Questions may be addressed to Special Services at 619-533-4388.
Apply for a Special Events Permit
Our new online permitting process makes it quick and easy to apply. Simply register and log in through the Customer Portal to submit your application.
Important Deadlines:
- Applications must be submitted at least 10 business days prior to the event.
- A $300 fee will be charged for applications submitted less than 10 business days prior to the event.
- Applications received less than 5 business days before an event may not be reviewed.
Click the button below to get started.
Apply for a Special Events Permit Special Events Permit Fees
Information Bulletins
Each of the following provides information to familiarize promoters, sponsors, and vendors with information about specific types of events. For questions which have not been covered here, contact 619-533-4388.
Technical Services
NEW! We’ve launched a new online permitting process for a Technical Services Permit. The process is now faster and easier through our Customer Portal — including online payment. For more details on how to apply, please see the "Technical Services Permit Application" section below.
The Technical Services section is charged with the safe installation of hazardous materials in bulk and any associated piping or equipment. Regulation is provided through the permit process, with permit amounts based on International Fire Code requirements, Section 105, Permits. For any questions related to Technical Services please email SDFDTechServices@sandiego.gov.
What Requires a Permit?
- Installation and removal of:
- Above-ground tanks for fuels, oils and other lubricants, chemicals and flammable or combustible liquids;
- Below-ground tanks for fuels, oils and other lubricants, chemicals and flammable or combustible liquids;
- Re-pipe or modification to hazardous systems or installations;
- Installation of:
- Liquid Propane Gas (LPG): Operation permit required for storage or use of LPG.
- Compressed Natural Gas (CNG): Fuels not otherwise used for household use.
- Compressed Gas: Flammable, toxic, corrosive, pyrophoric, oxidizing, inert, refrigerants, etc.
- Medical gas: Anesthetic and other gases used in medicine (including veterinary medicine) which are not otherwise regulated by the State of California (i.e. schools and institutions).
- Cryogens: Flammable, toxic, corrosive, pyrophoric, oxidizing, inert, etc.
- Site/Soil Remediation: When any device is installed for the remediation of a site, or soil stockpiled on a site, in which hazardous liquids or vapors are recovered or used during the process, a permit is required.
Technical Services Permit Application
- The Technical Services Permit Application is available using the link below.
- Required fields include information on owners, operators, contractors including licensing, proof of insurance, and details on the project/installation.
- All portions of the application must be filled in prior to submittal.
A fee covering the Technical Services Permit will be assessed and need to be paid during the online application process.
Note: The application and associated TS number are not valid and will not be processed by the San Diego Fire Department Community Risk Reduction Division or City of San Diego Development Services Department until payment is received.
Plan Review
- The plan review encompasses a thorough review of submitted plans, checking for compliance with current applicable codes. Notifications of requests for revisions or more information will be sent to the email address provided.
- Submittals must include all pertinent information both in specification and plan view, details and cut-sheets for any equipment, and the materials, manner and method of installation.
- Plans must be uploaded as part of the Technical Services Permit Application through the Customer Portal.
- As-builts will not be accepted.
- When changes are made to the installation in the field, the changes must be pre-approved.
- When required, a referral will be made to Development Services for occupancy classification and/or building permits.
- Expedited plan review is available. See information below.
- When plan review has been completed, notification will be sent via email to the provided email address.
Expedited Plan Review
- An expedited plan review can be requested within the Technical Services Permit Application for an additional fee in accordance with the Technical Services Permit Fee Schedule.
Inspection
- Field inspections of the installation during various stages of construction are required.
- The number of inspections is based on the type of installation. Multiple inspections or reinspections may incur additional fees in accordance with the Technical Services Permit Fee Schedule.
Overtime Inspections
- Upon request and for an additional fee in accordance with the Technical Services Permit Fee Schedule an overtime inspection may be performed before or after regular business hours and weekends.