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Permits, Fire Code, & Policies
Permits
The Westminster Fire Department requires permits and plan submittals for new construction, significant building alterations, tenant finishes, fire suppression/sprinkler systems, fire alarm systems, hood systems, and other large projects that affect public safety from fire or hazardous materials. Permits are also required for special events such as block parties, carnivals, or the use of individual tents and/or canopies with sizes exceeding 400 square feet with sides. Individual tents and/or an aggregate of tents not exceeding 700 square feet without sides do not require a permit.
The City of Westminster does not allow for deferred fire permits. All required permits for fire systems must be approved before the City of Westminster Building Department will issue a building permit.
The Westminster Fire Department and the City of Westminster Building Division use electronic plan review and permitting. There are a variety of services that can be provided through this online program including:
- Electronic Plan Submission
- Application Materials
- Review Staff Comments
- Pay By Credit Card
- Print Your Permits
To submit an application, please visit the permits box on the eTRAKiT portal.
Inspections
After the construction permit has been received and the work for the permit has been completed, it will require an inspection from our Fire Department Inspector. Upon the day of your project's final inspection, the appropriate record of completion form must be finalized to submit to the fire inspector.
To schedule an inspection, please visit the inspections box on the eTRAKiT portal.
Commercial Business Inspections
The fire department conducts fire safety inspections of all businesses in the city, generally on an annual basis. Inspection scheduling is based on a risk evaluation of each building. These inspections are conducted to ensure the safety of the employees and customers of the businesses and to help protect the businesses from fire by maintaining code compliance.
The fire department has also partnered with Brycer, a compliance engine that provides a secure cloud environment in which third-party contractors that inspect, test, and maintain fire protection systems, backflows, and elevators are able to submit their reports directly into their portal. Once these reports are submitted, they are directed to our department for our records. This facilitates a more efficient review, tracking, and follow-up process with occupants to correct deficiencies and maintain systems.
For more information or assistance, please contact Fire Administration at 303-658-4500.
The following forms will be required to submit to the fire inspector upon the completion of your final inspection of the work completed. Please complete the appropriate record of completion form for your project.
- Emergency Communications Systems Supplementary Record of Completion (PDF)
- Deviations from Adopted Codes and Standards Supplementary Record of Completion (PDF)
- Fire Alarm System Record of Completion Form (PDF)
- Interconnected Systems Supplementary Record of Completion (PDF)
- Notification Appliance Power Panel Supplementary Record of Completion (PDF)
- Power Systems Record of Completion (PDF)
Guidelines
The following documents contain the guidelines needed to complete your fire alarm and fire sprinkler work for the Westminster Fire Department. Please use the Fire Alarm System Requirements and Checklist (PDF) for your fire alarm projects and the Fire Sprinkler System Requirements and Information (PDF) for your fire sprinkler projects. Should you have any additional questions, please contact us at 303-658-4544.
Fees
For our fee structure, we have included the base Permit Fee Schedule below. Additional use tax and plan review fees may be added based on permit type. For questions, please contact Fire Administration at 303-658-4500.
Have a Question?
Have a question about your project, the fire code, or other permit-related questions? Call the Fire Administration at 303-658-4500. We are here to help!
Fire Code
The City of Westminster currently operates under the 2021 International Fire Code, as amended, as well as the entire 2021 International Code Set. Specific amendments can be found in the link below regarding local changes to the 2021 IFC.
Other adopted common use fire codes:
- NFPA 72 (2019 ed. with amendments)
- NFPA 13 (2019 ed. with amendments)
- NFPA 13R (2019 ed. with amendments)
- NFPA 13D (2019 ed. with amendments)
Policies
The below enforcement policies are in place to ensure code compliance for recreational fires, fireworks, barbeque grills, tents, and more. If you have questions regarding the Westminster Fire Department Code and Policies, please review the documents below or contact the Fire Administration at 303-658-4500.
With safety for both people and pets in mind, please leave the pyrotechnics to the professionals. Fireworks that explode, emit a loud bang, leave the ground due to an explosive charge, or fly through the air are always illegal in the city of Westminster and the state of Colorado unless approved as part of a public fireworks display authorized by the fire department. Handling, possession, sale, or use of illegal fireworks is a violation of Westminster Municipal Code 6-8-2 and is subject to the issuance of a City of Westminster Municipal Court Summons.
Illegal fireworks include:
- Roman candles
- Bottle rockets
- Firecrackers
- M-80s and M-100s
- Toy cannons, cones, and pistols
- Blank cartridges
- Torpedoes
- Skyrockets
- Tube devices or any tablets/device containing an explosive substance
Permissible fireworks that do not explode or leave the ground and fly through the air can be used only during the timeframe beginning at midnight on July 3 and ending at noon on July 5 of any calendar year.
Permissible fireworks include:
- Sparklers and dipped sticks
- Fountains
- Ground spinners
- Illuminated torches
- Trick noisemakers
More Information
A recreational fire is a small, controlled fire typically used for personal enjoyment. The Westminster Fire Department permits specific recreational fires according to the guidelines below:
- Fire pit or container (permanent or portable) shall be specifically designed for safe containment of the fire.
- Fuel area must not exceed 3 feet in diameter and 2 feet in height.
- Must be located at least 25 feet from structures or combustible materials.
- Flames must not exceed 2 feet above the top of the fire pit.
- A water source or fire extinguisher must be readily available.
- The fire shall be constantly attended until extinguished.
- Only firewood may be burned. Burning leaves, yard waste, branches, or trash is prohibited.
- No burning of any kind is allowed on Red Flag Days when there is a high risk of fire danger. Track Red Flag Warnings.
Open burns of wood piles, vegetation, yard waste, or other unwanted materials, as well as for irrigation ditch control, weeds, or brush, are not permitted in the city. Permits may be issued for certain bonfires and religious events. Please review the document below and call 303-658-4500 to inquire further about burn permits and allowable recreational fires.