How to Obtain a Fire Permit

Fire Codes and various City Ordinances require the acquisition of a Fire Permit before some activities are allowed. Permits are used by local, state, and federal agencies to assure that a potentially dangerous or very important activity is conducted according to life and safety codes and standards. The Fire Department permits generally require a preplanning meeting or submittal, and an on-site inspection of the activity by a Fire Department Inspector.

Fire Department permits in the City fall into two areas of enforcement: the Fire Prevention Bureau and the Hazardous Materials Bureau. The fees required for permits are based on the administrative cost for reviewing, issuing, and inspecting. Every year the Newark City Council reviews and adopts the Master Fee Schedule which is used to determine the cost of the various permits issued by the City Departments. The following is a list of some of the activities that require a fire permit:

• Fireworks (selling of Safe and Sane Fireworks or public display)
• Tents and Air Supported Structures (more than 200 Square Feet)
• Canopies (more than 400 Square Feet)
• Hazardous Materials Facilities or Piping Systems
• Tanks and Tank Systems (installation, removal, testing and monitoring)
• Hazardous Materials Site Reviews
• Asphalt Kettles and Tar Roofing Operations
• Bonfires and Cooking Fires (not in an approved barbecue apparatus)
• Installation of Fire Protection and Fire Alarm Systems

Fire permit applications are accepted electronically.  To submit an electronic application please read the following requirements.

Applications:

• Fire Protection System
• Fire Code Related
• High-Piled Combustible Storage

Plans and Document Requirements. Failure to follow instructions will cause a delay and/or rejection.

• Complete the appropriate permit application. Please include the building permit # associated with the work, if applicable, along the job description line of the application.
• All documents must be uploaded as a PDF.
• Drawing sets need to include all sheets in a complete file.
• The title block of each sheet shall include a 3” x 3” space for the placement of the approval stamp.  The space needs to be in the same location on each sheet.
• Each document should be uploaded separately.  For example; if you are uploading plans, calculations, and specification you will have three PDF files.
• For the first review, use the following standards when naming documents:
• Property Address_Project Description_Document Type (example: 123 Main Street_Fire Alarm_Plans)
• For a resubmittal OR to submit additional documents for an approved permit, use the following standards when naming documents:
• Permit Number_Project Address_Document Type (example: FAS2020-0555_123 Main Street_Plans)
• Resubmittals must include a plan check response letter.
• Initial fire plan submittals are reviewed within 14 City working days. Resubmittals are reviewed within 7 City working days. The Alameda County Fire Department does not currently offer an expedited or alternate review process. Check our current calendar HERE. 
• For additional information, please review the Alameda County Fire Submittal Info PDF.

Application Submittal

After reading the above Plans and Document Requirements section above, if you are ready to submit your application please follow the link below to upload your documents.  Once your documents are uploaded, staff will contact you with confirmation that the submittal was received, along with the project/tracking number.  Please allow 48 hours prior to contacting our office. For further assistance, please call (510) 578-4218 or email helen.gordon@newark.org

SUBMIT APPLICATION