The Fire Inspection of a Multi-Family Building is conducted in all accessible common areas of the property, such as stairs, garage, exercise and laundry rooms, as well as any vacant rental unit. Inspectors help identify fire safety hazards. These hazards include fire lanes and exits, obstructions, property identification, hazardous materials storage, as well as the presence of fire protection equipment.

“R-2 Multi Family Buildings” are occupancies containing sleeping units or more than two dwelling units where the occupants are primarily permanent in nature.

Inspections are conducted on vacant commercial and residential (multi-family) buildings. The purpose of the inspection is to ensure that the building is secured against illegal entry, that hazardous conditions such as holes in walls or flooring are covered and secured, that combustible materials are removed, that the building address is clearly posted, and that all fire protection systems are maintained in an operable condition at all times. Such inspections are important, since vacant buildings are frequently the target of arson or fires started by persons who have illegally gained entry into buildings.

Vacant Buildings Inspection Fees will fall into one of the three categories:

1. Exterior Inspection with Systems Verification - $48

• Cannot gain interior access, building is equipped with Fire Protection Systems that need to be verified and inspected.

2. Exterior Inspection with No Systems - $24

• Cannot gain interior access, building is not equipped with any Fire Protection Systems to be inspected.

3. Interior Inspection – Use Square-Footage Fee

• Interior access is granted and a traditional inspection can be performed by an Inspector.

“Building Shell or Shared Spaces” is an area or space that is common to multiple tenants within a structure, and that is not under the direct supervision or management of a single business owner or tenant. Can include common suppression systems, fire alarms, exiting systems, and devices used throughout multiple tenant spaces.

While performing a Fire Safety Inspection of a building/business, deficiencies may be discovered. Fire Department staff will arrange a re-inspection of the building/business to verify corrections have been made. The Fire Marshal’s Office is hoping that the implementation of a re-inspection fee will reduce the number of follow-up visits needed to verify compliance. There are a large number of businesses throughout the community that require fire safety inspections; if a reduction in the number of follow-ups can be accomplished, more businesses can be inspected on a regular basis, making our community safer. 

“Satisfactory Re-Inspection” is a follow-up inspection in which the responsible party has corrected all previously discovered violations/deficiencies and the inspection is then considered complete.

“Unsatisfactory Re-Inspection” is a follow-up inspection in which the responsible party has not corrected all of the previously discovered violations/deficiencies and an additional follow-up will be required. 

SATISFACTORY RE-INSPECTION

No Charge

UNSATISFACTORY RE-INSPECTION

$100

UNSATISFACTORY RE-INSPECTION SECOND AND EACH ADDITIONAL

$200

The Everett Fire Marshal’s Office (FMO) is responsible for ensuring safe operational practices of those individuals, companies, and businesses who wish to use or participate in operations that are considered to be hazardous and pose a potential threat to the safety and wellbeing of the general public. To ensure operations and practices are done safely and in compliance with the fire code, an inspection, review, and issuance of an Operational Permit is required. 

• The Operational Fire Permits that are listed in Table 2B are required to be renewed on an annual basis.
• Fees will only be assessed after a fire safety inspection has verified compliance with the International Fire Code (IFC), and no more than once annually.
• Fees will be assessed in conjunction with the Inspected Square Footage Fee found on Table 2A.
• The amounts and definitions that determine if an Operational Fire Permit is required can be found in the International Fire Code.

The following is a list of the Operational Fire Permits listed in Table 2B:

The Per-Event/Activity – Operational Fire Permits are for activities or practices that are performed on a per event basis and do not constitute as an annual Operational Fire Permit. Typically Per-Event – Operational Fire Permits require additional review and inspection time that is necessary to ensure safe operations and code compliance.

For Per-Event/Activity operational fire permits, the applicant and/or responsible party for the event or activity will be responsible for all fees associated for the permit.  The Operational Fire Permits listed in Table 2C are as follows:

To submit an application for a Per-Event/Activity - Operational Fire Permit, please click here.