Fire Department - Fire Protection Certificate Application Procedures

Activities That Require Department Permit Residential All new residential units All new buildings that require a building permit include: Private garages Carrports Barns (that don’t fall under the definition of agriculture, see Non-Residential agricultural buildings below) Private storage sheds and similar buildings not intended for human occupancy or places of employment Additions of more than 1000 square feet Revision Permit that causes original addition of under 1000 square feet to exceed 1000 square feet or causes total square footage of structure to equal 5000 or more If an FPC has been issued prior to revision permit, see “Revisions” below Additions or tenant improvements (remodel) if a fire sprinkler system is in place Additions that cause total square footage to equal 5000 or more Non-Residential All new buildings Additions of more than 500 square feet Revision permit that causes original addition of under 500 square feet to exceed 500 square feet, or causes total square footage of structure to equal 5000 or more If an FPC has been issued prior to the revision permit, see “Revisions” below Improvements to or construction of County Government Buildings Additions or tenant improvements (remodel) if a fire sprinkler system is in place Development of mobile home parks Agricultural buildings (construction or improvements) if a Building permit is required: Building permit is required for agricultural buildings over 3000 square feet Agricultural Building defined: “Agricultural Building” must be located on land that is zoned as agriculture, and the building must be used for agriculture If either of these conditions are not met, structure falls under residential item as a “barn” or “storage shed” Conversion of an existing agricultural building to any other type of use Conversion of any portion of any building to an “H” occupancy Conversion of an “H” occupancy to any other type of use Installation of above-ground flammable liquid storage tank greater than 60 gallons Additions that cause total square footage to equal 5000 or more Department Permit Process Applicant to complete an application form Fill out all data fields (If field does not apply, applicant should indicate N/A) Owner’s and applicant’s name, mailing address, and telephone numbers are required Collect fee and indicate payment on application form Attach three sets of site plans and one floor plan to FPC Plans are to be drawn to scale Approval/Denial Fire Department will return a copy of the signed FPC with plans stamped “APPROVED” or “NOT APPROVED” to the Building Department If plans are not approved, applicant must re-submit plans to the fire department with corrections prior to the issuance of building permits Grading Permits Grading guidelines may not require an FPC but requires an applicant to submit plans to the Fire Department prior to issuance of a grading permit Grading plans MUST be submitted to Fire Department for approval (after application submittal and review by Building and Safety) if the following conditions exist: Roadway or driveway exceeds 150 feet in length Roadway or driveway exceeds 10% in slope Roadway or driveway serves more than one lot or dwelling 3. If any of the above conditions apply, applicant must submit signed and approved plans from the Fire Department to Building & Safety prior to the issuance of the grading permit Revisions When a revision permit is issued where additional square footage is added to a project that has an existing FPC, a copy of the revision permit application shall be forwarded to the fire department Revision permits shall not be issued until a “supersedes” letter from the fire department has been received by Building and Safety Contact (805) 681-5523 (805) 681-5528 (805) 681-5554 Fire Headquarters 4410 Cathedral Oaks Rd. Santa Barbara, CA 93110 www.sbcfire.com

We welcome your questions and comments on this site.

Created by the County of Santa Barbara for the benefit of its citizens and inhabitants.