Certification Examinations
Fees for certification examinations will increase by 12%.  The new fee will be $292.00 per exam.  As always, if someone taking the examination needs to retake the test because they did not pass, the first retake will be provided for free if the retake occurs within 90 days of the original exam.  Fees charged for certification examinations only partially offset the costs of the program.  The Mayor and Council have directed that certification examination fees be increased gradually each year, starting in 2013, until the program is at full cost recovery levels.  Certification examination fees were last increased on January 1, 2011. 

Code Compliance/Place of Assembly Permits
Fees will remain unchanged at 2011 levels.  A new permit for covered and open malls will be introduced, as required by national and local fire codes.

Confidence Test Report Filing
Fees will remain unchanged at 2011 levels of $10.00 per report.

Construction Inspections
Some, but not all construction inspection fees are increasing in 2013.  This will be the first fee increase for these inspections since 2005. The fee increases are generally about 6% and a list of 2013 fees is presented in Construction Inspection Services and Fees as of January 1, 2013.

In addition, two new inspection services will be offered in 2013.  The first provides validation testing of systems that enhance in-building radio coverage for public safety radios.  The radio coverage enhancements are required by national and local fire codes in certain buildings.   A client assistance memorandum with more information will be released soon.  Until then, please contact Russ Byrd at (206) 386-1455 for more information.  The second is a new inspection category for fire alarm systems when no new fire alarm control panel and associated backbone wiring runs are installed.  This category provides customers with a lower fee than the existing inspections of fire alarm systems that include new fire alarm panels or major modifications.  The lower fee reflects that simpler jobs require less inspection time by the Seattle Fire Department and passes on the savings to customers.

Hazardous Materials
Fees will remain unchanged at 2011 levels.

Knox Box Installation
Knox Box installation fees are increasing by 15% to $176.00 to help offset a portion of the costs of providing Knox Box installation services.  For more information about this program please see Seattle Fire Department Client Assistance Memo (CAM) #5965.

Marine Terminals
Fees are being reduced consistent with analysis of current costs of providing the service.  For more information, please see Marine Terminal Permits and Fees as of January 1, 2013.

Plan Review
Fees for engineering review of architectural plans and shop drawings for fire and life safety systems are increasing by 7.5% to $171.00 per hour in 2013, with a one hour minimum.  Fees charged for plan review only partially offset the costs of the providing this service to customers.  The Mayor and Council have directed that plan review fees increase gradually each year, starting in 2013, until the program is at full cost recovery levels.  In 2014, plan review fees will increase to $184.00 per hour.  Plan review fees were last increased on January 1, 2011.

Re-Inspections to Gain Compliance with Fire Code
Fees are increasing 25% to $229.00 for re-inspection of code violations when multiple re-inspections are required to gain compliance.  The fee adjustments increase low cost recovery levels in these service areas.  As always, the first three inspections associated with a violation are provided at no cost to the customer by the Seattle Fire Department.  Re-inspection fees are only charged when additional inspections are required to gain compliance with the Seattle Fire Code.

Special Events
There are several changes to special events permits intended to make the permits work better for customers and to ensure consistency with the Seattle Fire Code.  Permits for fireworks and LPG use (propane) have been streamlined.  Permits that were issued for a calendar year will now be issued on a 12 month basis providing customers more flexibility.  Small outdoor events of less than 500 people without fences or enclosures will no longer require permits.  Special events fees are also changing.  Some fees have been reduced or held constant at 2011 levels, while other fees will increase, generally by around 3%.  For a listing of all 2013 special events permits and fees, please see Special Events Permits and Fees as of January 1, 2013.

Important:  To avoid late fees, starting in 2013, applications for certain special event permit types will need to be received 30 calendar days prior to the event.  A phase-in period will be provided to assist customers with the transition to this new requirement.  For more information about the new 30 day timeline, please note the time guidelines in Special Events Permits and Fees as of January 1, 2013.

Do You Want More Information?
For more information, please call the Seattle Fire Marshal's Office at (206) 386-1450 Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.  Thank you for your business.  We wish you a safe and successful 2013.