Plan Check General Information

We provide in-house technical review of submitted plans with a focus on Fire and Life Safety Standards of the California Fire and Building Codes. The Division enforces the 2022 California Fire Code (CFC) and NFPA 13 Installation of Sprinkler Systems (2022 Edition). For further reference, see City of SLO Municipal Code. We also enforce State Fire Marshal regulations of Title 19 and 24 (California Fire, Building, Mechanical and Electrical Codes), and the National Fire Protection Association standards for review of new construction and tenant improvements for:

• Life-Safety Requirements
• Fire protection, detection and alarm systems
• Assembly use-occupancies
• High-piled storage conditions
• Title 19 occupancies and uses (licensed facilities, tents, assemblies)
• Photovoltaic uses
• Process installations using or removing hazardous materials
• Requirements for Wildland-Urban Interface Fire Areas

Life-Safety Plan Review Process & Schedule:

Fire Protection System Construction/Alteration Permits:

Projects that require fire department permit or approval are listed in California Fire Code Chapter 1 Section 105, as amended by the San Luis Obispo Municipal Code. Any Installation, modification or alteration of a fire suppression or fire alarm system requires separate plan review and permit. To submit plans for review, complete an application with the Community Development Department, Building Division located at 919 Palm Street, prior to submitting 3 sets of plans at the counter. Your plans will be routed to the Fire Department for review. Plans are reviewed on a first-come-first-served basis. Our goal is to approve projects with the first submittal, because denying a project makes the process longer for everyone. The San Luis Obispo Fire Department’s Developers Guide can provide assistance to design professionals prior to plan submittal. Fire Department Plan Check Schedule identifies project turn-around times (other than building permit applications). Our goal is to complete plan reviews within 4 weeks of submittal.

Building Permits:

Projects requiring a building permit should follow the Building Permit Process. One set of plans will be routed to the Fire department for the life-safety review. Under normal workload conditions, the life-safety review will generally meet the target date published in the Building and Safety Division Plan Check Turn-around time schedule except for outside plan check services.

Fire Department Required Inspections:

Conditions of approval list requirements from the Fire Department, including necessary inspections. All requirements and inspections must be completed prior to receiving final approval (permit sign-off) from the Fire department. Schedule inspections by calling 805-783-7775.

 Fees:

Click here for our current fee schedule.

Fire and Life Safety Inspection and Enforcement

Provides a comprehensive fire prevention inspection service and enforcement for compliance with the California Fire Code. The Fire Prevention Bureau partners with business owners to ensure their continued safety in our community.

Large Family Daycare Code Requirements

Preschool/Daycare in a Commercial Building

Standards for Tents, Canopies, and Temporary Membranes

Standards for Storage and Use of Portable Liquefied Petroleum Gas Outdoor Heaters

Fire and Life Safety Inspection Program and Checklist

Vegetation Management Program involves enforcement of the City's Weed Abatement program including actions to address hazardous weed accumulation, dead pine trees, the Hazardous Fuel Reduction program in the City's Open Space, and reviews landscaping and vegetation management plans for development in the Very High Fire Severity Zones in the City. The Fire Prevention Bureau partners with the City Natural Resources Manager in prioritizing and addressing many of these issues.

Submit a Fire Sprinkler/Alarm Testing & Inspection Report here.