Plan Review and Permits
The Fire Prevention Bureau is also charged with issuance of permits under the City of Oberlin Fire Prevention Code. Permits are issued to places of public assembly and businesses engaged in activities such as auto repair, service stations, welding, spray paint equipment, businesses storing quantities of combustible materials, hazardous materials, chemicals, or fireworks. Public Assembly Permits are issued to businesses, schools, and churches in the City. Hazardous Activity Permits are issued annually.
Permits required by ordinance shall be obtained from the fire code official. Permit fees, if any, shall be paid prior to the issuance of the permit. Issued permits shall be kept on the premises designated therein at all times and shall be readily available for inspection by the code official. Print our Fire Code Fee Brochure
Applications:
Application for a permit required by the ordinance shall be made to the fire code official in such form and detail as prescribed by the code official. Applications for permits shall be accompanied by such plans as prescribed by the code official.
Permits from the Fire Department are required when a fire protection sprinkler system, alarm system, or a hood system are installed. Inspections to ascertain compliance with permits must be scheduled 48 hours in advance.
TYPES OF PERMITS AND FEES: (EFFECTIVE 01/15/2015)
- MOBILE FOOD VENDORS
- Fire code operational permits
- Fire code construction review fees
- Site assessment fee
- False and nuisance fire alarm fees
- Fire alarm monitoring fee
- Motor vehicle collision and incident fees
- EMS transport fees
- Open Burn Permit
The Oberlin Fire Department will be handling all Mobile Food Vendor permits beginning in 2022. In addition to the items listed on the check list, OFD will also require proof of insurance and a current permit from the Lorain County Health Department Permits are available for:
- “Per Event” fee is $50
- “Annual” fee is $125
The following is a list of permits issued by us, along with brief descriptions of what activities require a permit. Be sure to check our On-Line Permit Applications section to see if the Application Form you need is available on-line, or print out the GENERAL PERMIT APPLICATION. Complete the application and send with the required documentation and appropriate fees to:
Oberlin Fire Department
430 South Main
Oberlin OH 44074
If your application is not available on-line, contact us at (440) 774-3211 to request it.
NEW PERMIT AND FEE REQUIREMENTS:
1. FIRE CODE OPERATIONAL PERMITS:
|
Section |
Description |
Permit Required |
Permit Fee |
PermitTerm |
Inspection Fee |
On-line Applications |
| All other general permits | Yes | $50 | ||||
| 105.6.1 | Aerosol products | Yes | $65 | Annual | No | |
| 105.6.2 | Amusement buildings | Yes | $65 | Annual | Note 5 | Appl |
| 105.6.3 | Aviation facilities | Yes | $65 | Annual | No | |
| 105.6.4 | Carbon dioxide system – beverage dispensing | Yes | $50 | Annual | No | |
| 105.6.5 | Carnivals and fairs Note 1 | Yes | $65 | Event | No | |
| 105.6.6 | Cellulose nitrate film | Yes | $100 | Annual | No | |
| 105.6.7 | Combustible dust-producing operations | Yes | $65 | Annual | No | |
| 105.6.8 | Combustible fibers | Yes | $65 | Annual | No | |
| 105.6.9 | Compressed gases | Note 10 | $65 | Annual | No | |
| 105.6.10 | Covered mall buildings | Yes | $65 | Annual | No | |
| 105.6.11 | Cryogenic fluids | Note 11 |
$65 | Annual | No | |
| 105.6.12 | Cutting and welding | Yes | $30 | Annual | No | Appl |
| 105.6.13 | Dry cleaning plants | Yes | $65 | Annual | No | |
| 105.6.14 | Exhibits and trade shows | Yes | $130 | Event | No | |
| 105.6.15 | Explosives, blasting, ammunition | Note 12 | varies | Annual | Note 8 | |
| 105.6.16 | Fire hydrants and valves | Yes | $25 | No | Appl | |
| 105.6.17 | Flammable and combustible liquids | Yes | Note 3 | Annual | Note 5 | Appl |
| 105.6.18 | Floor finishing, bowling lanes | Yes | $195 | Event | No | |
| 105.6.19 | Fruit and crop ripening | Yes | $65 | Annual | No | |
| 105.6.20 | Fumigation and thermal insecticidal fogging |
Yes | $35 | Annual | No | |
| 105.6.21 | Hazardous materials – storage, dispense, use, handle |
Note 9 | $200 | Annual | No | |
| 105.6.22 | Hazardous production materials facilities | Yes | $200 | Annual | No | |
| 105.6.23 | High-piled storage | Yes | $130 | Annual | No | |
| 105.6.24 | Hot work operations | Yes | $65 | Annual | No | Appl |
| 105.6.25 | Industrial ovens | Yes | $30 | Annual | No | |
| 105.6.26 | Lumber yards and woodworking plants | Yes | $65 | Annual | No | |
| 105.6.27 | Liquid- or gas fueled vehicles or equipment in assembly buildings |
Yes | $65 | Annual | No | |
| 105.6.28 | LP-gas, use and resale | Yes | Note 4 | Annual | No | Appl |
| 105.6.29 | Magnesium | Yes | $65 | Annual | No | |
| 105.6.30 | Miscellaneous combustible storage | Yes | $50 | Annual | No | |
| 105.6.31 | Motor fuel-dispensing facilities | Yes | $50 | Annual | No | |
| 105.6.32 | Open burning (except recreational fires) |
Yes | $25 | Event | Note 6 | Appl |
| 105.6.33 | Open flames and torches | Yes | $65 | Event | No | Appl |
| 105.6.34 | Open flames and candles with other permits ($10) |
Yes | $65 | Event | No | Appl |
| 105.6.35 | Organic coating | Yes | $75 | Annual | No | |
| 105.6.36 | Places of assembly | Yes | Note 1 | Annual | No | Appl |
| 105.6.37 | Private fire hydrants | Yes | $65 | Annual | No | |
| 105.6.37 | Fireworks display | Yes | $250 | Event | Note 8 | |
| 105.6.38 | Pyrotechnic special effects | Yes | $150 | Event | ||
| 105.6.39 | Pyroxylin plastics | Yes | $65 | Annual | No | |
| 105.6.40 | Refrigeration equipment | Yes | $65 | Annual | No | |
| 105.6.41 | Repair garages and motor fuel-dispensing facilities |
Yes | $65 | Annual | No | |
| 105.6.42 | Rooftop heliports | Yes | $100 | Annual | No | |
| 105.6.43 | Spraying or dipping operation | Yes | $65 | Annual | No | |
| 105.6.44 | Storage of scrap tires and byproducts | Yes | $65 | Annual | No | |
| 105.6.45 | Tents, membrane structures, canopies | Yes | $65 | Event | No | Appl |
| 105.6.46 | Tire rebuilding plants | Yes | $65 | Annual | No | |
| 105.6.47 | Waste handling | Yes | $65 | Annual | No | |
| 105.6.48 | Wood products | Yes | $65 | Annual | No | |
| 105.6.80 | Temporary Shelters | Yes | $50 | Annual | No | Appl |
| 506.1 | Key boxes | No | No | No | ||
| 901.7 | Fire watch | Yes | No | Event | Note 7 | |
| SI | Self-inspection by property owner for compliance with fire code regulations | $25 | Annual | |||
| I-1 | Inspection of any structure with an area less than three thousand (3,000) square feet, for compliance with fire code regulations. | $75 | Biannual | |||
| I-2 | Inspection of any structure with an area equal or greather than three thousand (3,000) and less than ten thousand (10,000) square feet, for compliance with fire code regulations. | $100 | Biannual | |||
| I-3 | Inspection of any structure with an area equal or greather than ten thousand (10,000) and less than twenty thousand (20,000) square feet, for compliance with fire code regulations. | $150 | Annual | |||
| I-4 | Inspection of any structure with an area equal or greather than twenty thousand (20,000) square feet, for compliance with fire code regulations. | $300 | Annual | |||
| R-1 | First reinspection to ensure mitigation of violations | NC | ||||
| R-2 | Any subsequent reinspection to determine compliance if initial reinspection reveals the violation has not been mitigated. | $80 | Per vist | |||
| Additional fee for program non-compliance | 20% of inspection fee | |||||
| Inspections after normal working hours: | $350 | |||||
| 901.7 | Fire watch (per hour or portion thereof per inspector) | $25 | Per hour | Note 7 | ||
| Adoption/foster home inspection | No | NC | No | |||
| Certificate of fire code compliance | No | $20 | Yes | |||
| Inspection or acceptance test after normal working hours – base plus $25 per hour or portion thereof |
$200 | Event | ||||
| Reinspection, retesting or additional test | $50 | Event | ||||
| Additional plan review | $25 | Per hour | ||||
2. FIRE CODE CONSTRUCTION PERMITS:
|
Section |
Description |
Review Required |
Permit Fee |
Inspection Fee |
On-line Applications |
| All construction permit fees include initial plan review and first inspection/acceptance test during normal working hours unless otherwise specified. Additional fees required for plan resubmission, retest, additional tests, and tests after normal working hours. |
|||||
| Acceptance test after normal working hours: Initial fees + base + $250 per hour or portion thereof |
$100 |
Base | |||
| 105.7.1 | Automatic sprinkler systems |
Yes | No | ||
| – Base fee |
$200 | ||||
| – plus $0.40 per head |
|||||
| Underground pressure test/flush |
$150 | No | |||
| Auto fire extinguishing systems (each) |
Yes | $75 | No | ||
| Commercial hood system |
Yes | $75 | No | ||
| Smoke control system | Yes | $150 | No | ||
| Emergency generator test |
Yes | $100 | No | ||
| 105.7.2 | Battery systems | Yes | $95 | No | |
| 105.7.3 | Compressed gases |
Yes | $75 | No | |
| 105.7.4 | Cryogenic fluids | Yes | $75 | No | |
| 105.7.5 | Emergency responder radio coverage system | Yes | $50 | No | |
| 105.7.6 | Fire alarm and detection systems |
Yes | |||
| – Base fee | $50 | ||||
| – plus $1.00 per device | |||||
| 105.7.7 | Fire pumps and related equipment |
Yes | $150 | No | |
| 105.7.8 | Flammable and combustible liquids |
Yes | No | ||
| – Install, construct or alter tank or equipment (per tank) |
Yes | $75 | No | ||
| – Install, alter, remove, abandon or otherwise dispose of a tank (per tank) |
Yes | $75 | No | ||
| – Temporary closure |
Yes | $50 | No | ||
| – Construct a use/dispensing and mixing room, liquid storage room, or liquid storage warehouse |
Yes | $155 | No | ||
| – Flammable liquids dispensing (per dispenser) |
Yes | $10 | No | ||
| 105.7.9 | Gates/barricades across fire apparatus access roads | Yes | $50 | No | |
| 105.7.10 | Hazardous materials |
Yes | $100 | No | |
| 105.7.11 | Industrial ovens |
Yes | $100 | No | |
| 105.7.12 | LP-gas | Yes | |||
| – permanent AST tank installation (per tank) |
Yes | $75 | No | ||
| – permanent UST tank installation (per tank) |
Yes | $150 | No | ||
| – temporary tank installation (per tank) |
Yes | $45 | No | ||
| Special event inspection/permit | Yes | $100 | No | ||
| 105.7.13 | Private fire hydrants |
Yes | $45 | No | |
| 105.7.14 | Smoke control or smoke exhaust systems | Yes | $50 | No | |
| 105.7.15 | Solar photovoltaic power systems | Yes | $50 | No | |
| 105.7.15 | Spraying or dipping |
Yes | $75 | No | |
| 105.7.16 | Standpipe systems (per riser) |
Yes | $75 | No | |
| 105.7.17 | Temporary membrane structures, tents, canopies (except recreational camping, funeral tents) |
Yes | $25 | No |
Note 1: 105.6.36 Places of assembly:
| 50 to 299 occupants | $10 |
| Over 300 occupants | $100 |
| Temporary assembly | $130 |
105.6.2 Special amusement buildings: Any temporary, permanent or mobile building that provides a walkway around or over a course in any direction as a form of amusement arranged so that the egress path is not readily apparent due to visual or audio distractions or a confounded egress path.
Note 3: 105.6.17 Flammable/combustible liquids in stationary tanks
PERMIT AMOUNTS FOR FLAMMABLE/COMBUSTIBLE LIQUIDS:
|
Type of liquids |
Inside building (gallons) |
Outside building (gallons) |
Fee | |
| Temporary (less than 30 days) |
More than 5 | More than 10 | $35 | |
| Class I | More than 5 | More than 10 | $35 | |
| Store or use, Class II and Class III |
$65 | |||
| Operate tank vehicles, equipment, plants, terminals | $65 | |||
| Use or store aboveground or underground, tanks/systems | $65 | |||
| Manufacture, process, blend, or refine | $100 | |||
| Liquid storage room (per room) | $65 | |||
| Liquid storage warehouse | $100 | |||
| Use, dispense and mix room (per room) | $65 |
105.7.8 CONSTRUCTION PERMITS FOR FLAMMABLE/COMBUSTIBLE LIQUIDS:
|
Type |
Fee | ||
| Install, construct or alter tank or equipment |
Per tank | $75 | |
| Install, alter, remove, abandon or otherwise dispose of a tank |
Per tank | $75 | |
| Temporary closure | Per tank | $50 | |
| Construct a Use/Dispensing and Mixing Room, Liquid Storage Room, or Liquid Storage Warehouse |
Per room | $155 |
Note 4: 105.6.28 Liquefied petroleum gases (LPG).
| LP-gas, ongoing operations | $65 |
| LP-gas, cylinder exchange | $65 |
Note 5: Witnessing test and inspections.
| Description | Fee | Inspector fee |
| Acceptance tests during normal working hours |
Included in permit fee | None |
| Acceptance tests after normal working hours |
Initial fees + $200.00 | $25.00 per hour or portion thereof |
| Inspections during normal working hours |
Initial inspection: None Reinspection: $50.00 |
None |
| Inspections after normal working hours |
Initial inspection: $20.00 Reinspection: $50.00 |
$25.00 per hour or portion thereof |
Note 7: Fire watch.
$25.00 per hour or portion thereof per inspector.
Note 8: Fireworks.
$25.00 per hour or portion thereof per inspector; including required inspections before and after event.
Note 9: PERMIT AMOUNTS FOR HAZARDOUS MATERIALS:
|
Type of material |
Amount |
| Combustible liquids | See section 105.6.17 |
| Corrosive materials – Gases – Liquids – Solids |
See section 105.6.9 55 gallons 1000 pounds |
| Explosives | See section 105.6.15 |
| Flammable materials – Gases – Liquids – Solids |
See section 105.6.9 See section 105.6.17 100 pounds |
| Highly toxic materials – Gases – Liquids – Solids |
See section 105.6.9 Any amount Any amount |
| Oxidizing materials – Gases – Liquids – Class 4 – Class 3 – Class 2 – Class 1 – Solids – Class 4 – Class 3 – Class 2 – Class 1 |
See section 105.6.9
Any amount Any amount |
| Organic materials – Liquids – Class I – Class II – Class III – Class IV – Class V – Solids – Class I – Class II – Class III – Class IV – Class V |
Any amount Any amount |
| Pyrophoric materials – Gases – Liquids – Solids |
See section 105.6.9 |
| Toxic materials – Gases – Liquids – Solids |
See section 105.6.9 10 gallons 100 pounds |
| Unstable (reactive) materials – Liquids – Class 4 – Class 3 – Class 2 – Class 1 – Solids – Class 4 – Class 3 – Class 2 – Class 1 |
Any amount Any amount |
| Water-reactive materials – Liquids – Class 3 – Class 2 – Class 1 – Solids – Class 3 – Class 2 – Class 1 |
Any amount Any amount |
Note 10: PERMIT AMOUNTS FOR COMPRESSED GASES:
|
Type of gas |
Amount (cubic feet at NTP)
|
|
| Corrosive |
200 |
|
| Flammable (except cryogenic fluids and LPG) |
200 |
|
| Highly toxic or toxic |
Any amount |
|
| Inert and simple asphyxiant |
6,000 |
|
| Oxidizing |
504 |
|
| Pyrophoric |
Any Amount
|
|
| Toxic |
Any Amount
|
Note 11: PERMIT AMOUNTS FOR CRYOGENIC FLUIDS:
|
Type of cryogenic fluid |
Inside building (gallons) |
Outside building (gallons) |
|
| Flammable | More than 1 | 60 | |
| Inert | 60 | 500 | |
| Oxidizing (includes oxygen) |
10 | 50 | |
| Physical or health hazard not indicated above |
Any amount | Any amount |
Note 12: PERMIT AMOUNTS FOR EXPLOSIVES:
|
Type of explosives |
Fee
|
|
| Store, handle, use | $300 | |
| Use of explosives | $300 | |
| Transport explosives | $100 | |
| Store/sale ammunition | $100 | |
| Black powder, store/sale | $65 |
3. SITE ASSESSMENT FEES:
Fee assessed for a review of property records of tanks, ground contamination, or hazardous materials spills at a particular site or property. A fee of $25 per site or property reviewed.
4. FALSE AND NUISANCE FIRE ALARMS:
Definitions:
Commercial Property: Any structure or occupancy use not classified as Residential Property as defined in this section.
False Alarm: The activation of any fire alarm system which results in a response by the fire department and where the fire department determines that the activation of a fire alarm system was not related to a fire or life safety emergency.
Fire Alarm System: A system or portion of a combination system consisting of components and circuits arranged to monitor and/or exterior annunciate the status of a fire alarm or supervisory signal-initiating devices and to initiate the appropriate response to those signals.
Owner: Any person who owns the premises in which a fire alarm system is installed or the person or persons who lease, operate, occupy or manage the premises. The owner shall be responsible for the activation of a fire alarm system.
Residential Property: Any structure or occupancy use classified as one-, two-, or three-family dwellings.
False fire alarms that qualify under this section include:
-
Alarm caused by improper installation or maintenance of the fire alarm system. This includes missing backup batteries, loose connections, smoke detectors mounted near air vents or otherwise overly sensitive detection devices.
-
Alarm caused by alarm user or alarm company working on the system or testing the system without notifying the alarm company or fire dispatch.
-
False alarm activated by owner or an employee.
-
Occupant conducting a fire drill without notifying the alarm company or fire dispatch.
-
Alarm caused by an employee of the business or family member of a residence smoking near a detector.
-
Alarm caused by normal cooking where the owner could relocate a smoke detector or provide better ventilation.
-
Alarm caused by dust from building or site construction or demolition.
-
Burglar alarm reported as a fire alarm by an alarm company.
-
Alarm for which there is no explanation. If a cause for the alarm cannot be identified – no pull station activated, smoke was not present, etc. – the alarm system will be assumed to have malfunctioned and the fee assessment applies.
A response to the activiation of a fire alarm system shall result when any officer or member of the Fire Department is dispatched to the premises where the fire alarm system has been activated.
The fire official may also require the owner to return a completed Report of Service/Repair within fifteen (15) days of receipt of the fire alarm activation report to verify, to the reasonable satisfaction of the fire official, that:
-
The fire alarm system has actually been examined by a qualified fire alarm technician; and
-
A bona fide attempt has been made to identify and correct any defect of design, installation or operation of the fire alarm system which was identifiable as the cause of the nuisance fire alarm.
Failure to return a Report of Service/Repair within said fifteen (15) day period, which is reasonably satisfactory to the fire official, shall result in a fee assessment against the owner of a fee for the false fire alarm.
The provisions of this section shall not apply to any newly installed fire alarm system for a period of forty-five days (45) from the date of installation, but shall apply from and after the expiration of the initial forty-five day (45) period following installation.
False Fire Alarms. No fee shall be assessed for the first two (2) false fire alarms at the same premises responded to by the Fire Department during each calendar year. Thereafter, the owner shall pay a fee for false fire alarms responded to by the Fire Department at the same premises during each calendar year, except when the fire alarm business is responsible for the false fire alarm. If the fire official determines that a false fire alarm was directly caused by an onsite employee or representative of the fire alarm business, the fire alarm business shall be assessed the fee and the incident shall not be counted against the owner. False fire alarms activated by any components connected to the fire alarm system shall be included in computing the total number of false fire alarms for purposes of this subsection. The activation of a fire alarm system will not be considered a false fire alarm if the alarm is activated due to malicious causes beyond the control of the owner.
The fees for false fire alarms may be assessed as follows:
| Description | Residential | Commercial |
| Failure to return a Report of Service/Repair |
$500 | $500 |
| False alarm caused by on-site alarm company employee |
$350 | $350 |
| Service fee – 3rd false fire alarm |
$120 | $240 |
| Service fee – 4th false fire alarm |
$150 | $300 |
| Service fee – 5th false fire alarm | $180 | $360 |
| Service fee – 6th and above false fire alarm | $200 | $400 |
| Late payment fee | $25 | $25 |
| If fee not paid within 30 days, fee increases to $300 per occurrence. |
||
5. MOTOR VEHICLE COLLISION OR TECHNICAL RESCUE INCIDENT FEES:
The Fire Department shall initiate a user fee for the delivery of Fire Department services, personnel, supplies, and equipment to the scene of a motor vehicle collision/crash (MVC) or to technical rescue incidents, including, but not limited to, securing the scene of the accident, establishment of a safety zone, extrication of victims trapped, providing any fire/medical services, and the extinguishment of vehicle fires, as necessary. The rate of the user fee shall include the actual costs incurred by the Fire Department.
The user fee shall only be billed to the motor vehicle and/or insurance carrier of the responsible person for the incident, representing an add-on-cost of the claim for damages. The City will accept the amount received from the insurance company as full payment.
6. EMS TRANSPORT FEES:
Charges for Emergency Ambulance Transport. A fee shall be charged to recipients of emergency medical services (ambulance) transportation performed by Fire Department, from the emergency site to the nearest appropriate hospital and/or medical facility. For all City residents, invoicing will be in the form of a request of an assignment of insurance company proceeds available to the resident, and the City will accept as full payment the usual and customary rates as allowed by the particular insurance company. The City will not charge or collect any amount of money in excess of the insurance payments received and available to any resident who receives fire department services for the reason that operating revenues received from local taxes, of all kinds, are being treated as payment of otherwise applicable co-payments and deductibles.
Nonresidents will be invoiced for the entire cost of the rescue squad services after being credited for any available assignment of insurance company proceeds.
Fees shall be assessed on the following basis:
| Level of Service | Fee |
| Basic life support transport |
$335 |
| Advanced life support transport |
$620 |
Where to Call For More Information:
| Building inspections and permits |
774-3428 |
| Property maintenance and enforcement |
775-1531 |
| Fire inspections, permits and code enforcement |
774-3211 |
| Planning and zoning |
775-7250 |