The Fresno Fire Department has instituted a new process for service providers who inspect and test fire protection and life safety systems.   Effective April 15, 2026, all fire protection and life safety system test reports must be sent to FFD electronically via The Compliance Engine’s online system, which can be found at www.thecomplianceengine.com . 

In 2022, FFD first adopted a Fresno Municipal Code (FMC) requirement which required all fire protection and life safety system test reports be submitted to FFD in an electronic format in anticipation of this change (2022 CFC/FMC §901.6.3.1 Records reporting).  FFD adopted a similar code requirement in the latest code adoption in 2025 (2025 CFC/FMC §901.6.3.1 Records reporting). 

The “General Inspection Program” (GIP) completes the inspection of existing sites, buildings and facilities for compliance with applicable laws, codes, ordinances, and standards.  Inspection frequencies for this program are based on requirements of state law or are determined using a risk-based approach established by a nationally recognized standard.  The GIP program has a statutory requirement to complete inspections in a number of different occupancies, including schools, hotels, and motels, and report this information on an annual basis to City Administration and the City Council.

Inspections completed under the the GIP program are performed by full time Fire Department staff.  Fire prevention inspection fees are charged as noted in the City of Fresno’s Master Fee Schedule (Fresno City Council Resolution No. 420 (amended)), and they are designed to recover the costs for these inspections. Fees are determined by occupancy type and square footage or number of units and cover only the cost of performing a first fire prevention inspection. Subsequent reinspection’s to ensure violations are corrected will incur additional fees. The fire inspection and reinspection fee schedule can be found on the City of Fresno web site; www.fresno.gov/finance/budget/#tab-2.

After completion of a fire prevention inspection, a fee invoice will be mailed from the fire department to the recorded property owner. The fire department obtains invoicing information from the local assessor’s office and does not have the ability to send invoices to any other party. Civil issues involving a property owner and tenant, leasing and other contractual issues for payments of these fees are typically handled as civil matters, and it is not the role of FFD to arbitrate or adjudicate these types of disputes.

If required payments are not received within specified timelines, the department will forward these invoices to collections for follow up and payment. FFD recommends that property owners pay the required invoices and then enforce the terms and conditions of any contract, lease, etc. with their tenant, leaser, etc. to ensure that they are not turned over to collections, or a lien placed on the property.

Finally, any person operating or maintaining an occupancy, premise or vehicle that allows a hazard to exist, or failure to comply with this notice, will result in referral to the City Attorney’s office for legal action pursuant to Fresno Municipal Code §10-50108.7. Failure to comply may result in further action by the City including, but not limited to, administrative citations for non-compliance and/or a delinquent account sent to collections. If such action is required, you may be held responsible for any administrative costs or legal costs incurred by the City.

If you have questions regarding the findings of the fire prevention inspection, contact the assigned inspector via email or the main office at (559) 621-4181. If you have questions regarding invoicing, fees, or payments, contact the Finance Department – Accounts Payable at (559) 621-4141.

The “New Construction Inspection” program completes field inspections and acceptance testing of various fire protection and life safety systems.  These systems are designed in accordance with adopted referenced standards, and these inspections ensure that the systems are installed with the approved construction documents, that the installations adhere to minimum workmanship standards, and that the fire protection and life safety systems will operate as designed when needed. 

The “Fire Related Plan Review” program completes the review of construction documents for new buildings, existing buildings undergoing improvements, and various fire protection and life safety systems.  These reviews are critical to safe building design, and ensure that the buildings and associated systems are designed in accordance the various adopted, referenced standards and occupant safety features meet code requirements.

• • Fire and Life Safety System Testing Reports
• • Fire Prevention Policies
• • Fire Inspector Recruitment
• • Fire Inspector Training Requirements

Demolition Permits:

A City of Fresno (COF) – Building and Safety Services Issued Demolition Permit does not include any approval for the demolition or alteration of any fire protection or life safety system. 

If the scope of a project includes a request to demolish (or otherwise alter, modify, or take out of service) any fire protection or life safety system(s), then permit applicants must obtain a separate permit directly from the Fresno Fire Department – Fire Prevention Division.  

A permit applicant may request a fire protection system demolition permit using the City of Fresno – Accela Citizens Access (COF-ACA) online system.  For additional information, please email the Fresno Fire Department – Fire Prevention Division at: [email protected]

Fireworks Information:

Consumer Fireworks:

A permit issued by the City of Fresno Fire Department is required to sell consumer use, “Safe and Sane” fireworks within the City of Fresno.  Applications for non-profit organizations, which meet the requirements of the City of Fresno Fire Department can be obtained by an approved fireworks vendor.  Only purchase and use “Safe and Sane” fireworks which have the California State Fire Marshal (CSFM) seal on them.  Fireworks without this seal are illegal.

In late 2010, the Fresno City Council passed an ordinance allowing the use or discharge of “Safe and Sane” fireworks in the City of Fresno, 365 days a year between, the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. except for the period of June 28th to July 6th when use and discharge is only allowed between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 12:00 a.m.

NEVER PURCHASE ILLEGAL FIREWORKS AND NEVER MISUSE OR ALTER LEGAL FIREWORKS.

City of Fresno Fireworks Social Host Ordinance & Fines and Penalties

On May 12, 2022, the Fresno City Council adopted Ordinance No. 2022-009 setting the ordinance penalty for possession, use, storage, sale, and/or display of illegal fireworks; possession, use, storage, sale, and/or display of “Safe and Sane” fireworks on or at dates, times, or locations other than those permitted; and/or Hosts who permit any of the aforementioned upon the Host’s property, in a public right-of-way adjacent to the Host’s property, or in a road, street, or highway adjacent to the Host’s property.

The penalties are: a fine of $2,000.00 for the first violation, $3,000.000 for the second violation within a rolling 12 month period, and $5,000.00 for the third or subsequent violation within a rolling 12 month period. Each fine is accompanied by an administrative fee of $250.00.

Leave Fireworks to the Professionals

The official position of the National Fire Protection Association states : “NFPA strongly advises leaving fireworks to professionals, as they cause thousands of fires and injuries annually, particularly on the Fourth of July. Sparklers, frequently used by children, burn at 1,200°F and pose significant risks. NFPA warns that even legal fireworks are dangerous and urges the public to avoid using them.”

The history of injuries, deaths and other fire losses related to fireworks is both long, and painful.  The earliest fireworks related incident recorded (according to Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_fireworks_accidents_and_incidents) occurred in 1869, with 12 fatalities resulting from an explosion in a fireworks factory in Virginia (US).  The deadliest fireworks incident occurred in a “regiment farm” (a military settlement where families reside) in 1977 in China, which resulted in 694 fatalities.

Fireworks Related Complaints

To report a non-emergency fireworks complaint, please email the Fire Prevention Division (FPD) with your concern at: [email protected].  

Please include as detail about your complaint as possible, including the address, etc. 

For in progress fireworks complaints, residents may report an emergency by calling 9-1-1. 

For non-emergency issues, residents can use the FresGO app on their mobile device (within the City of Fresno City limits), or call the City of Fresno 311 Center by dialing 3-1-1 (within City of Fresno City limits) or by calling (559) 621-CITY (2489).

Our staff does not typically provide complaint status updates or other information to reporting parties, however, if the condition is determined to be a fire hazard, etc. enforcement action will be taken.

Reporting Fire Hazards / Fire Safety Complaints:

To report a non-emergency fire hazard or fire safety complaint, please email the Fire Prevention Division (FPD) with your concern at: [email protected].  

Please include as much detail about your complaint as possible, including the address of the fire hazard and photographs if possible. 

The FPD investigates fire safety hazards and fire safety complaints; however, we do not handle complaints or concerns regarding blight or weeds (vegetation).  For blight or weed (vegetation) complaints, residents may report the issue using the FresGO app on their mobile device (within the City of Fresno City limits), or by calling the City of Fresno 311 Center by dialing 3-1-1 (within City of Fresno City limits) or by calling (559) 621-CITY (2489).

Please understand that our staff is not permitted to enter private residences, look over (or otherwise climb) fences, enter residential backyards, etc. unless the resident is present and we have their permission. Additionally, our staff does not typically provide complaint status updates or other information to reporting parties, however, if the condition is determined to be a fire hazard, etc. a violation notice will be issued.