Chapter 4.38
FIRE SYSTEM FEES Revised 5/26
4.38.000 Chapter Contents
Sections:
4.38.010 Plan Review and Fire Life Safety Inspection Fees. Revised 5/26
(Ord. 7447 §4, 2025; Ord. 6828 §1, 2012; Ord. 6381 §1, 2005).
4.38.010 Plan Review and Fire Life Safety Inspection Fees Revised 5/26
The following fees are assessed for the permitting, plan review and other inspections of fire systems:
|
Technology Fee – applicable to all permits, plan review, and other inspection fees |
4.1 percent of permit/plan review and other inspections |
A. Fire Permit Fee:
|
Total Valuation |
Fee |
|---|---|
|
$1.00 to $500.00 |
$50.77 up to and including $500.00. |
|
$501.00 to $2,000.00 |
$50.77 for the first $500.00 plus $6.33 for each additional $100.00 or fraction thereof, up to and including $2000.00. |
|
$2,001.00 to $25,000.00 |
$179.88 for the first $2000.00 plus $29.05 for each additional $1000.00 or fraction thereof, up to and including $25,000.00. |
|
$25,001.00 to $50,000.00 |
$869.46 for the first $25,000.00 plus $20.95 for each additional $1000.00 or fraction thereof, up to and including $50,000.00. |
|
$50,001.00 to $100,000.00 |
$1,405.63 for the first $50,000.00 plus $14.52 for each additional $1000.00 or fraction thereof, up to and including $100,000.00. |
|
$100,001 - $500,000 = $3,844.53 for the first $100,000 plus $21.12 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof, up to and including $500,000. |
|
|
$500,001 - $1,000,000 = $12,454.74 for the first $500,000 plus $17.65 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof, up to and including $1,000,000. |
|
|
$1,000,001 and up = $21,755.70 for the first $1,000,000 plus $13.57 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof. |
|
B. Fire Plan Review Fee:
The fire plan review fee is 65 percent of the fire permit fee and is collected in addition to the fire permit fee noted in this chapter.
C. Fire Life Safety Inspection Fees:
The fire chief, or the fire chief’s designee, is authorized to assess a base rate for inspections made of commercial and multifamily buildings under International Fire Code Chapter 1, Section 104. The base rate is assessed at the time the inspection is made. The initial amount of said base rate is based on the following formula for each building or occupancy as determined by the fire chief or designee:
Square Footage Factor (includes inspection and clerical time):
|
Building / Occupancy Size |
Hours |
Fee (at $85/hr) |
|
Less than 3,000 sq. ft. |
1 hr |
$85.00 |
|
3,001 – 10,000 sq. ft. |
2 hrs |
$170.00 |
|
10,001 – 40,000 sq. ft. |
3 hrs |
$255.00 |
|
40,001 – 80,000 sq. ft. |
6 hrs |
$510.00 |
|
80,001 – 260,000 sq. ft. |
9 hrs |
$765.00 |
|
Over 260,000 sq. ft. |
12 hrs |
$1,020.00 |
Risk Factor (determined by RAFER scoring):
Risk classification is determined through the Olympia Fire Department’s RAFER (Risk Assessment Frequency and Evaluation Rating) system, as outlined in the Department’s Community Risk Assessment and Standard of Coverage. RAFER scoring evaluates occupancies using five weighted factors:
1. Occupancy Risk – hazard level and use type.
2. Occupant Risk – number and mobility of occupants.
3. Fire Protection Features – suppression, detection, and alarm systems.
4. Building Risk – construction type, height, and condition.
5. Community Impact – criticality to public safety, economy, or infrastructure.
|
Risk Level |
RAFER Category |
Score Range |
Description / Criteria |
|
1 – Low Risk |
RAFER 3 |
40–60 |
Occupancies with limited fire load, stable construction, and minimal public impact. Includes small offices, retail spaces, and low-hazard storage uses with compliant systems. |
|
2 – Medium Risk |
RAFER 2 |
20–39 |
Occupancies with moderate hazards or system complexity, such as restaurants, mid-sized mercantile, or multi-tenant buildings. Contain suppression or alarm systems requiring periodic verification. |
|
3 – High Risk |
RAFER 1 |
0–19 |
Occupancies with significant fire or life safety risk, such as hospitals, industrial facilities, or high-hazard uses. Often contain complex systems or hazardous materials with potential for significant community impact. |
|
Fees are billed directly to the party responsible by the director of administration or designee |
|||
|
Inspections outside of normal business hours, per hour (minimum charge - two hours) |
$204.38* |
|
Reinspection fees |
$204.38* |
|
Inspection for which no fee is specifically indicated, per hour (minimum charge one-half hour) |
$204.38* |
|
Additional plan review required by changes, additions, or revisions to approved plans, per hour (minimum charge – one hour) |
$204.38* |
|
For Stop Work being issued (work being done without permit) |
$204.38 |
*Or the total hourly cost to the jurisdiction, whichever is greatest. This cost includes supervision, overhead, equipment, hourly wages, and fringe benefits of the employees involved.
The tenant or owner of the building shall pay the fee, as determined pursuant to an inspection accounts process established by the Olympia Fire Department.
Fees are billed directly to the party responsible by the director of administrative services. For accounts delinquent for more than 30 days, the director is authorized to assess a monthly fee of $5.00 or one percent, whichever is greater, and may revoke the business license of the party responsible after giving that party an informal hearing to show cause why the license should not be revoked; or the director may use any other lawful means to collect the obligation, including the use of collection agencies.
These provisions equally apply to buildings owned or leased or otherwise used by other governmental jurisdictions and to buildings generally for which a business license has not been procured, insofar as such buildings are within the coverage of the International Fire Code. Collection of the fees from said jurisdiction may be accomplished by any available legal means.
(Ord. 7447 §4, 2025; Ord. 7416 §4, 2024; Ord. 7380 §4, 2023; Ord. 7351 §3, 2022; Ord. 6828 §1, 2012; Ord. 6610 §3, 2008; Ord. 6381 §1, 2005).