Fire Prevention Permits

Fire Operating Permits

Fire Prevention is authorized by the Phoenix Fire Code to issue operating permits. Operating permits are not transferrable and must be reapplied for upon new ownership or change in name of the business. The following operating permits are required.

Aerosol products - an operating permit is required to manufacture, store, use and handle
Amusement buildings - an operating permit is required to conduct an amusement building
Carnivals & fairs - an operating permit is required to conduct a carnival or fair
Combustible fiber or dust producing operations - an operating permit is required to operate a grain elevator, flour starch mill, feed mill, or plant pulverizing aluminum, coal, cocoa, magnesium, spices or sugar or other operations that produce combustible dust
Combustible materials storage - an operating permit is required for the storage of combustible material indoors or outdoors
Compressed gas - an operating permit is required to store, use and handle
Covered and open malls - an operating permit is required to operate a mall
Cryogenic fluids - an operating permit is required to store, transport on site, use, handle or dispense
Cutting & Welding - an operating permit is required to conduct cutting or welding operations
Dry Cleaning - an operating permit is required to conduct dry cleaning or operate a dry cleaning operation
Exhibits and Trade Shows - an operating permit is required for shows & exhibits over 100 square feet
Explosives - an operating permit is required for blasting or pyrotechnic displays
Fire performers - an operating permit is required for fire performers
Fireworks - an operating permit is required for commercial fireworks displays
Flammable and combustible liquids - an operating permit is required to store, transport on site, use, handle or dispense
Flammable finish operations - an operating permit is required to conduct flammable finishing operations
Hazardous material use or handling facilities - an operating permit is required to store, transport on site, dispense, use or handle hazardous materials
Hazardous Production Materials (HPM) - an operating permit is required to store, handle or use hazardous production materials
Haunted Houses - an operating permit is required to conduct a haunted house
High Piled Storage - an operating permit is required to use a building or portion of the building for high-piled storage
Hospital - an operating is required for hosptials.
Hotwork - an operating permit is required to conduct hot work.
Lumber & mulch yards and woodworking facilities - an operating permit is required for the storage and processing of lumber exceeding 100,000 board feet
LP Gas - an operating permit is required to flare off LPG prior to abandonment or removal of an LPG container

LPG containers used for liquid transfer service
LPG containers, greater than 2,000 gallons water capacity, used exclusively for vapor service

Medical Facilities - an operating permit is required to operate a medical facility (office, lab, outpatient etc.)
Miscellaneous Combustible storage - an operating permit is required to store in any building or on any premises combustible empty packing materials, boxes barrels, etc or rubber tires, rubber, cork or other combustible material or to store more than 50 wooden or plastic pallets.
Motor Vehicle Fuel Dispensing - an operating permit is required to operate a fuel dispensing operation
Nursing Homes - an operating permit is required for nursing homes.
Places of Assembly - an operating permit is required to use a building or structure, or a portion thereof, for the gathering together of persons for purposes such as civic, social or religious functions; recreation, food or drink consumption; or awaiting transportation with an occupant of 50 or more persons.
Open Burning - an operating permit is required for the kindling or maintaining of an open fire or fire on any public street, alley, road or other public or private ground.
Open flames and Torches- or flame-producing devices used for removing paint or applying roof coverings
Organic Coatings - an operating permit is required for any organic coating manufacturing operation
Outdoor Maze - an operating permit is required to conduct an outdoor maze
Pallet Yard - an operating permit is required to store in any building or premises in excess of 2,500 cubic feet of pallets or pallet making materials
Public Assembly - Indoor event - an operating permit is required to operate a place of assembly indoors
Public Assembly - Candles & Flames - an operating permit is required to use open flames or candles in connection with assembly areas, dining rooms of restaurants or drinking establishments
Public Assembly - Outdoor event - an operating permit is required to operate a place of assembly outdoors
Recycling operations - to operate commercial recycling operations
Pyrotechnic Special Effects - an operating permit is required for use and handling of pyrotechnic special effects materials
Refrigeration equipment - an operating permit is required to operate a mechanical refrigeration unit or system
Repair garages and motor fuel-dispensing facilities - an operating permit is required to operate a repair garage, or automotive, marine or fleet motor fuel-dispensing facility
Removal of fire protection equipment - an operating permit is required to remove any installed fire protection equipment except when in the course of regular maintenance
Rooftop Heliport - an operating permit is required to operate a rooftop heliport
Semi Conductor Facility - an operating permit is required to operate a semiconductor facility
Spraying & Dipping - an operating permit is required to conduct a spraying or dipping operation that utilizes flammable or combustible liquids or powders
State Licensed Health & Medical Facilities

Tent, Canopy or other Temporary Membrane Structure - an operating permit is required to operate a tent, canopy or other temporary membrane structure
Used or waste tires and tire by-products - an operating permit is required to establish, conduct or maintain storage of 100 or more used tires, or tire byproducts
Vehicle Display - an operating permit is required to display, operate or demonstrate vehicles inside buildings
Waste Handling - to operate wrecking yards, salvage yards or waste material-handling facilities
Wood Products - an operating permit is required to store chips, hogged material, lumber or plywood

After the application for the permit is submitted an inspection of the system, event or business will be conducted to ensure compliance with the Phoenix Fire Code. Upon meeting the requirements of the Fire Code the Fire Inspector will issue the permit.

Certificate of Occupancy

Certificates of Occupancy are issued by the Planning & Development Department. Most buildings were issued a Certificate of Occupancy. for the use intended at the time of completion. However, not all projects require a Certificate of Occupancy to be issued. The following projects do:

New commercial and residential structures
Tenant improvement of a newly occupied space
Tenant improvement or remodel that involves a change in the occupancy type
Other projects as determined by city staff members

For more information about Certificate of Occupancy requirements, select from the links below or contact Planning & Development at 602-262-7811, or visit the Development Center, City Hall, 200 W. Washington St., second floor.