CONNECT with the CityInspection Services
The Fire Inspection Program is the backbone of fire prevention in the City. The majority of inspections performed in the City are done by Deputy Fire Marshals assigned to the Community Risk Reduction Division.
Fire inspections are divided into either the designated type of inspections or the geographical region of the inspection. The designated inspection groups are Hazmat, Residential, and High Rise. All other inspections are assigned to either the north region, south region, or metro (central) region. You can reach the advisor for a particular area at 619-533-4388.
Inspections performed annually include public assemblies (places where more than 49 people gather), schools, day-care facilities, residential care facilities, multiple-unit residential buildings, nursing homes and other institutional facilities. State law requires an annual inspection of multiple-unit residential buildings and of schools.
Hazardous Materials Inspections
The Hazardous Materials Program reduces potential hazards through education, enforcement of codes and safe business practices in businesses that use and/or store hazardous materials or employ hazardous processes. The trigger which puts a site into the Hazardous Materials program is either having hazardous materials in an amount requiring a permit or utilizing hazardous processes which require a permit.
How the Hazardous Materials Program Works
It is a cost-recovery program with fees based on the following:
- If the inspection is completed within two visits, a $282 per hour charge is assessed for all inspection-related time that is associated with the completion of the inspection. The fee for each annual operational permit is $141.
- If more than two visits are required to complete the inspection, a re-inspection fee may be assessed for the third and subsequent visits at a rate of $300 per visit in addition to the hourly fee.
- If additional time is needed to make corrections that have been identified during the initial visit, the inspector must be called prior to the re-inspection date to request an extension.
Upon completion of the inspection, an invoice will be mailed to the business which is payable to the "City Treasurer."
The Community Risk Reduction Division has a "Guaranteed Second Opinion" policy that enables anyone to talk with a Hazardous Materials Supervisor if he/she disagrees with a code interpretation or simply wishes to voice a concern.
Hazardous Materials Information Form
Completing the Hazardous Materials Information Form — completed by the business or a consultant hired by the business — is the only way to disclose hazardous materials on site.
The Hazardous Materials Information form can be completed and mailed in to:
City of San Diego Fire-Rescue Community Risk Reduction Division
525 B St., Ste 300
Attn: Hazmat
San Diego, CA 92101
The Hazardous Materials Information form is designed to be used with the safety data sheet (SDS) for each chemical on site. The information provided by the business will be reviewed and verified by the inspector during the inspection. The information will be used as a basis for fire and building code regulation.
It is not necessary to submit a new inventory form each year if the inventory remains unchanged. This will be confirmed by the inspector performing the annual inspection.
High Rise Program
The High Rise program concentrates on tall buildings that measure more than 75 feet from the lowest level of fire department vehicle access to the floor level of the highest occupied floor. High-rise buildings are unique because their vertical construction inherently puts people at risk in the event of a fire. For this reason, building construction and fire protection requirements are more stringent than for many other types of buildings.
The City of San Diego has more than 200 high-rise buildings. All are required to have a yearly fire inspection which is performed by the Community Risk Reduction Division.
Take a High-Rise Inspection Photo Tour to see a building's safety features and what equipment and planning are implemented for public safety.
Licensed Facility Inspections
This fire inspection is required for a license and is performed by a Fire Inspector in Community Risk Reduction (CRR).
State Fire Marshal Fire Safety Inspection Request
Facilities licensed by the Department of Health, Department of Social Services and Community Care Licensing are required to have a fire clearance inspection in order to be licensed. A request for an inspection (STD850) is routed to CRR from various agencies. CRR does not accept requests from citizens.
Note: Facilities seeking a new or updated license may be required to verify their current occupancy classification before fire clearance is granted.
Pre-Inspection
It is recommended that facilities licensed by Community Care Licensing request a pre-inspection prior to requesting a fire clearance. The pre-inspection will provide information about building and fire code requirements which must be met to become a licensed facility. Privately owned, single family residences are eligible for this service. Commercial properties, clinics, drug treatment facilities, etc. may hire a consultant, architect, or other qualified resource.
Request a Pre-Inspection:
- A Pre-Inspection application must be completed.
- A check made payable to the "City Treasurer" must accompany the completed Pre-Inspection application and mailed to the address below:
San Diego Fire-Rescue
Attn: Pre-Inspection
525 B Street Suite 300
San Diego, CA 92101
Other Licensed Facilities
Other facilities may require a fire inspection in order to obtain or maintain a license. This request will be made directly by the facility to the Community Risk Reduction Division. These may include group care facilities licensed by the Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs, non-public schools and agencies licensed by the Department of Education and other programs licensed by the County.
For these licenses, a Special Survey application is required, and a fee is incurred.
Request a Special Survey:
- A Special Survey application must be completed.
- A check made payable to the "City Treasurer" must accompany the completed Special Survey application and mailed to the address below:
City of San Diego Fire-Rescue
Attn: Special Survey
525 B Street Suite 300
San Diego, CA 92101
Residential Inspection Program
To comply with state law, (California Health and Safety Code §13146.2/17921) requires an annual fire inspection and provides the City with legal authority to charge property owners to recover the costs for these inspections.
The following residential occupancies are part of the Residential Inspection Program:
- Apartment and condominium buildings (classified as three or more attached units)
- Hotels, motels, and lodging houses
Retroactive Fire Alarm Requirements
Properties that are inspected could be subject to the Retroactive Residential Fire Alarm Requirements. Multi-story structures existing on Jan. 1, 1975, used for human habitation, including, but not limited to, apartment houses, hotels, and motels wherein rooms are used for sleeping and are located above ground.
- Every apartment house three (3) or more stories in height or containing more than 15 apartments
- Every hotel/motel three (3) or more stories in height or containing 20 or more guest rooms
Inspection Checklist and Preparation
Group R1 and R2: Group R1 occupancies house residents temporarily (hotels, boarding houses, for instance) and R2 occupancies have permanent residents (apartments, dormitories, fraternities, for instance). You may print the R-1 & R-2 Checklist and view the video below.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my building being inspected by San Diego Fire-Rescue?
Group R-1 and R-2 occupancies are required by California state law to be inspected annually. The California Health and Safety Code §17921(b) describes the responsibility of the local fire agency to inspect “all hotels, motels, apartment houses, and dwellings, and buildings and structures accessory thereto”. California Health and Safety Code §13146.2 mandates that these structures must be inspected annually.
What should I expect when my building/property is inspected?
The inspection will be conducted by a Deputy Fire Marshal/Firefighter. They will attempt to contact the property owner, HOA or property management company. Our foremost objective is education. Having an up-to-date contact number is crucial for addressing any inquiries and streamlining the educational process for property owners and occupants alike. Please ensure to update the contact/billing information here. If the DFM/Firefighter is unable to make contact, they will still conduct the inspection. They will focus the inspection on the building perimeter, fire suppression features, and common areas(i.e. bonus rooms, laundry areas, hallways, stairwells, etc.). They will not be inspecting inside sleeping units or dwelling units. As a property owner, operator, and/or manager, you are encouraged to immediately conduct a walk-through of your property.
How will I know when my building will be inspected?
Starting Jan. 1, 2024, a new systematic approach will be taken to completing the state-mandated inspections, considering the density and the potential for fire, life, and panic emergencies. The goal is to complete the routine annual inspections in the calendar year and to perform them continually every year.
What if my building was inspected less than a year ago?
Your property will only be inspected one (1) time per calendar year. Since we are developing a new system, your property may have been inspected in October 2023 and then again in March 2024. Although the time between the inspections was not a full year, you will not be inspected again in 2024. The goal is to have a systematic approach around the same time each year moving forward.
Is there a cost associated with the inspection?
Yes, the city council approves the fee schedule associated with the inspection program.
Why have I gotten multiple invoices if my building is only being inspected once a year?
You are only responsible for one invoice per inspection annually per property if you are compliant and do not incur non-compliance fees. The previous software program we used was delayed in billing due to technical issues which in turn slowed getting the invoices out in a timely manner. This may be a reason you are receiving multiple invoices. We are currently working with a new software platform and are actively working on a user-friendly version to invoice quickly after the inspection. This will take time, but is high on the priority list. If you still have concerns, please contact SDFD Billing at SDFDbilling@sandiego.gov or 619-533-4387.
How will I pay the invoice?
After the initial inspection is conducted, you will receive an invoice in the mail. You will need to reference the SAP Invoice Number in the top right corner in all correspondences and payments. Once you receive the invoice, follow the instructions found on page 2 of the invoice to submit a payment online, in person, or by mail. For additional information regarding submitting payments, please visit the City Treasurer page.
Inspection Checklists
The checklists and videos below provide detailed information to business owners and occupants so they can keep their occupancies code-compliant and be prepared for annual inspections.
Checklists and Videos
Group A -- Group A occupancies are for the gathering together of people. The type of gathering determines the sub-occupancy. Read and print the A Occupancy Check List and view the video.
Groups B, F, M and S -- B occupancies are Businesses; F are Factories; M Mercantile and S are Storage facilities. Read and print the B, F, M, S Checklist and view the video.
Group E -- Group E occupancies are buildings used for educating children through the 12th grade. Read and print the E Occupancies Checklist and view the video.
Fire Alarm Systems—This overview provides basic regulatory information to assist in identifying alarm systems' functions and discrepancies. Read and print the Fire Alarm Systems and Equipment Checklist and view the video.
Fire Sprinkler Systems -- This overview provides basic regulatory information to assist in identifying sprinkler systems' functions and discrepancies. Read and print the Fire Sprinkler Systems and Equipment Checklist and view the video.
Group R-3.1 -- Group R-3.1 occupancies are 24-hour residential care facilities. Read and print the R3.1 Checklist & California Fire Codes and view the video.
Group R-2.1, R-4 and I-2 -- Group R-2.1, R-4 and I-2 occupancies are Residential care facilities. R-2.1 are assisted living facilities with more than 6 non-ambulatory residents. R-4 are assisted living facilities with a maximum of six non-ambulatory residents. I-2 are facilities like hospitals and nursing homes where the residents are bedridden. Read and print the R-2.1, R-4 and I-2 Occupancies Checklist and view the video.
Group I-4 and E Day Care -- Group I-4 are daycare facilities, not in a private home, where the clients are not able to respond to emergencies by themselves. E Day care are facilities, not in a private home, where the clients are older than 2 years and physically able to respond to emergencies. Read and print the I-4 and E Day Care Checklist and view the video.
Group R-3 Daycare -- Group R-3 are large family day care occupancies; residential homes in which care is provided for 14 or fewer children in the providers own home for less than 24 hours. Read and print the R3 Large Family Day Care Checklist and view the video.