The Carlsbad Fire Department's Fire & Life Safety Division reviews, processes and approves fire-related permits for the City of Carlsbad. Please reference the information below if you are looking to submit permit applications.

For additional questions or inquiries, please contact the Fire & Life Safety Division at 442-339-2665 or email us at firepreventionpublic@carlsbadca.gov.

Construction permits

Permitting process
State and city ordinances require that construction design be approved before a permit can be issued. This approval process is referred to as "plan check" and is a review of all aspects of the construction in order to verify that it complies with current state and municipal codes.

What requires a permit
We require, review, and approve permits for, including, but not limited to: Fire Protection Systems, Sprinklers, Underground Plans, Fixed Extinguishing Systems, Fire Alarm Systems, High Piled Storage, Chemical Storage Tanks, and Tents. For additional clarification on your specific project, please contact our Fire Permit Technician at Gina.Ruiz@carlsbadca.gov.

Minimum submittal requirements

• Completed Fire Permit Application
• Three sets of plans, along with material/equipment sheets, or other related documentation

Fire codes
The following are links to fire codes and standards related to the preparation and processing of building and development projects:

• Fire Protection Ordinance (Title 17)
• National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) codes and standards
• California Building Standards Code

Guidelines

The following guidelines provide direction to assist with design of plans to be submitted for plan check:

• Automatic Sprinkler NFPA 13
• Automatic Sprinkler NFPA 13D
• Automatic Sprinkler NFPA 13R
• Fire Alarm NFPA 72
• Commercial Cooking Systems
• Refrigeration Systems
• Spray Booths
• FD Access & Water Requirements
• Emergency Responder Radio Coverage
• High-Piled Combustible Storage
• Underground Piping NFPA 24
• Tradeshow and Convention Event Application Package

Alternative Materials and Methods (AM&M)
View guidelines for direction on how to submit a request for the use of AM&M, in accordance with the 2022 California Fire Code (CFC), Chapter 1, Section 104.9.

Submittal appointments and how to submit

In-person services are available Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Drop-off and pick-ups shall utilize the "Fire Department Drop-off & Pick-up" bin located inside of the City of Carlsbad Faraday Center located at 1635 Faraday Ave., Carlsbad, CA 92008.

Plan drop-off and pick-ups
To submit your project, you can drop off completed permit applications and plans in the bin marked "Fire Department Drop-off & Pick-ups" located inside the Faraday Center. Our Fire Permit Technician coordinates pick-ups and drop-offs.

Mailing
You may also mail your permit submittals to us at:

City of Carlsbad
Attn: Fire & Life Safety Division
1635 Faraday Ave.
Carlsbad, CA 92008

Electronic submittals
Limited electronic submittals can be accepted, dependent on the size of the files being submitted. Please contact our Fire Permit Technician at 442-339-2731 or via email at Gina.Ruiz@carlsbadca.gov for more information.

Inspections
All work that is performed under a permit issued by the city is subject to inspection by city staff. City inspections are performed to ensure compliance with applicable government codes and standards and any project conditions of approval. Inspections are carried out by staff from the department or division responsible for issuing the permit. To schedule a Fire Permit/Final inspection, please follow the instructions on our automated line at 442-339-2660.

Remote video inspections
To provide improved customer service and to continue essential functions through the COVID-19 pandemic, the Fire & Life Safety Division has instituted a new Remote Video Inspection (RVI) program. RVI enables fire inspections to be completed from a smart phone or tablet in lieu of an on-site visit from a Fire Inspector. The RVIs are conducted via Microsoft Teams and FaceTime.

RVI may be utilized for the following types of fire inspections:

• Re-inspections with minor corrections
• 13D Systems
• 13 Systems, six heads or fewer
• Commercial Cooking
• Tent Set-ups, five or fewer tents

Tent permits

A tent permit is required to install a tent when dimensions exceed:

• 400 square feet with one or more sidewalls
• 700 square feet when canopy only (no sidewalls)
• Aggregate dimensions of multiple tents separated less than 12 feet apart will be considered as one

Tent permit application with detailed submittal requirements

Submit completed Tent Permit Application Packages to amber.ressmer@carlsbadca.gov a minimum of 14 days prior to the event or installation of the tent, whichever comes first.

Inspection
An inspection is required prior to a tent permit being issued. Inspections scheduled outside of normal working hours, Mon. - Fri. between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., will be charged an inspection fee.

Approval must be granted by the Fire & Life Safety Division before installation of any tents.

Heating tents
View heating and fire safety guidelines for tents and canopies.

View Office of the State Fire Marshal Information Bulletin 20-007 “Use of Heaters in Temporary Tents and Awnings” 

Permit fees
A fee will be charged for each tent permit and payment is required prior to issuance of a permit.

Fire Department Fees

View all fire department fees.

Please note: a private property permit may be required prior to processing a tent permit for installations on public property, including parking lots. Information can be found on our outdoor space activation for businesses page.