Skip to main content Skip to site search
City of Berkeley

Top Bar

  • Housing Authority
  • Public Library
  • Rent Board
  • School District
City of Berkeley
  • City
    Services
    • Explore city services, report issues online, pay parking tickets

      More about city services

      • Report & Pay
      • Parking
      • Trash & Recycling
      • Getting Around
      • Event Permits & Rentals
      • Livable Neighborhoods
      • Streets, Sidewalks, Sewers, and Utilities
      • Birth & Death Certificates
      • Domestic Partnership
      • Community GIS Portal
      • Current Service Notices
      Report Issues & Pay Bills
      pay parking ticket
      residential parking permits
  • Community &
    Recreation
    • Explore news and events, adopt a pet, visit a city park or pool

      MORE ABOUT COMMUNITY & RECREATION

      • Events
      • News
      • Parks & Recreation
      • Senior Services
      • Volunteering
      • Animal Care Services
      • Civic Arts
      • Waterfront
      • Affordable Housing in Berkeley
      • Community Services
      adopt a pet
      visit adventure playground
      reserve swim session
  • Safety &
    Health
    • Prepare for disasters, report a crime, access homeless services

      MORE ABOUT SAFETY & HEALTH

      • Disaster Preparedness
      • Fire
      • Public Health
      • Police
      • Police Accountability
      • Mental Health
      • Homeless Services
      Fire Weather and Evacuation
      Accessing Mental Health Services
      Accessing Homeless Services
  • Construction &
    Development
    • Apply for a permit, schedule an inspection, research zoning policies

      MORE ABOUT Construction & Development

      • Permits & Design Parameters
      • Seismic Safety
      • Green Building
      • Land Use & Development
      permit service center
      schedule inspection
      look up zoning
  • Doing
    Business
    • Apply for a business license, get business assistance, find bid & proposal opportunities

      MORE ABOUT Doing Business

      • Economic Development
      • Operating in Berkeley
      • Working with the City
      apply for business license
      get business assistance
      bid to work with the city
  • Your
    Government
    • Attend a City Council or commission meeting, apply for jobs, look up City holidays

      MORE ABOUT Your Government

      • About Us
      • Boards & Commissions
      • City Council
      • Elections
      • Financial Information
      • Jobs
      • Our Work
      • Public Records
      • City Holidays
      • Lobbyist Registration
      • City Audits
      apply for a job
      city council meetings
      Participating in Council Meetings
  • Housing Authority
  • Public Library
  • Rent Board
  • School District

You are here

  • Home
  • Construction & Development
  • Permits & Design Parameters
  • Permit Types
  • Fire Permits
Share Print

Fire Permits

Ensure you obtain required fire permits for your project or event.

Most, but not all, building permits require Fire Department review. When you submit applications to the Permit Service Center, the Permit Technician who processes your building permit application will determine if this type of review is needed.

Fire Permits

Apply for Fire permits, including:

  • Fire alarm
  • Sprinkler system
  • Standpipe system
  • Two-way communications system
  • Emergency responder radio coverage system (ERRCS)
  • Clean agent fire suppression system
  • Vegetation management plan (in development)
  • Energy storage systems
  • Fire pumps
  • Assembly
  • Holiday tree sales lot
  • CO2 (carbon dioxide) liquid dispensing
  • Fireworks and fire effects
  • Flammable/Combustible liquid storage
  • Hazardous materials
  • Open burning
  • Spraying operations
  • Tent and membrane structures
  • Window bars

APPLY FOR YOUR FIRE PERMIT

To apply for your fire permit, email FireSubmittals@berkeleyca.gov with the following:

  1. In the subject line, write: New fire permit application submittal.
  2. In the email body, provide a description of the proposed project, and the applicant’s phone number and email address.
  3. Provide the following documents in your email. You may attach them to the email or provide a link where the documents are available for download:
    1. Completed fire permit application
    2. Completed Fire Permit Declarations form
    3. Complete fire sprinkler system drawings and installation specifications
    4. Hydraulics calculations (if any and/or applicable)
    5. A complete material submittal (cut sheets)

Staff will reply within 1-2 business days to request more information. Once your documents are accepted for plan review, staff will determine your plan check fees and will provide you with instructions on how to pay.

You will receive all communications and responses during the plan review process by email, including when plan check comments are issued or the plans have been approved.

Parking permits for UC Berkeley football games

In order to provide paid parking on your property for use during a UC Berkeley football game, you must:

  • Obtain a business license from the City of Berkeley
  • Apply for a fire permit at the Permit Service Center and include a layout of where the parking spots will be on the property
  • Once the permit is approved, contact the Fire Prevention Division at (510) 981-5585 or email bfdfireprevention@berkeleyca.gov to schedule an inspection before Game Day

Visit Special Event Permits for more information.

Indoor Entertainment Event (IEE) Process

IEE inspections are required for indoor events with 50 or more people.

  • IEE application (works on Google Chrome only) must be submitted at least 10 business days before the event.
  • IEE inspection fee of $125.00 must be paid at the Fire Front Counter via check or cash in the exact amount due at least eight business days before the event.
  • Do not go to the Permit Service Center for this service.
  • Following confirmation of timely application and fee payment, an inspector will reach out to you to schedule the inspection.

Related Documents

Document
  • 400 Fire Permit Application Construction and Special Events (257 KB)
In this section
Permit Types
  • Zoning Permits
  • Administrative Use Permit
  • Use Permit
  • Building Permits
  • Work Exempt from Permits
  • Engineering Permits
  • Solar Permits
  • Fire Permits
  • Permit Forms

News

Red flashing emergency lights with red halo

All residents of Thousand Oaks neighborhood can leave or return home

CER T search and rescue

Learn skills to help your community before, during, and after disaster

eMobility devices with Lithium-Ion Batteries

Reduce lithium-ion battery fire risk for electric skateboards, scooters, and bikes

City Siren on top of a building

City siren will signal an emergency, need to seek information

More News
Fire Prevention
Email: bfdfireprevention@berkeleyca.gov
Phone: (510) 981-5585
resilient

Create a resilient, safe, connected, and prepared City

View Our Strategic Plan

Service

Be a customer-focused organization that provides excellent, timely, easily accessible service and information to the community

View Our Strategic Plan

WE’RE HERE TO HELP

Connect with us online, by phone, or in person.

Footer Top

Report Online Contact us Visit
City of Berkeley
2180 Milvia St, Berkeley, CA 94704

Footer Social

Footer Right

  • Sign Up for Our Newsletter
  • Get alerted about emergencies

Footer

  • Departments
  • Permits
  • Records Online
  • Events
  • Jobs

Footer Bottom

  • Accessibility
  • Privacy Policy
  • Website Policy
  • Website Feedback
 

Translation Disclaimer

© 2026 City of Berkeley All rights reserved.