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)

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

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Recreational Fire Permit Application


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
1 gallon
10 gallons
55 gallons

Any amount
10 pounds
100 pounds
500 pounds

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
1 gallon
2 gallons
No permit required

Any amount
Any amount
10 pounds
20 pounds
No permit required

Pyrophoric
materials
 – Gases
 – Liquids
 – Solids

See section 105.6.9
Any amount
Any amount
Any amount

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
5 gallons
10 gallons

Any amount
Any amount
50 pounds
100 pounds

Water-reactive
materials
 – Liquids
    – Class 3
    – Class 2
    – Class 1
 – Solids
    – Class 3
    – Class 2
    – Class 1

Any amount
5 gallons
55 gallons

Any amount
50 pounds
500 pounds

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:

  1. 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.
  2. Alarm caused by alarm user or alarm company working on the system or testing the system without notifying the alarm company or fire dispatch.
  3. False alarm activated by owner or an employee.
  4. Occupant conducting a fire drill without notifying the alarm company or fire dispatch.
  5. Alarm caused by an employee of the business or family member of a residence smoking near a detector.
  6. Alarm caused by normal cooking where the owner could relocate a smoke detector or provide better ventilation.
  7. Alarm caused by dust from building or site construction or demolition.
  8. Burglar alarm reported as a fire alarm by an alarm company.
  9. 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

CONTACT INFO

430 South Main Street
Oberlin, Ohio 44074

info@oberlinfire.com

Ph: 440-774-3211
Fx: 440-774-7809