Chapter 14.60 FIRE AND LIFE SAFETY INSPECTIONS

17. All other nonresidential occupancies which may pose a fire or life safety hazard to the public or employees, or as listed in the International Fire Code, as adopted in Title 15.

B. The fire marshal, or his/her designee, is also authorized to inspect the following residential occupancies in unincorporated Adams County:

1. The common areas of apartments and condominiums.

2. Commercial vacation rentals.

3. Lodges, hotels, and motels.

4. Mobile home parks.

5. Recreational vehicle parks.

C. The fire marshal or his/her designee will not make entrance into the individual apartment or condominium units unless a specific request is made by the occupant or owner of the property. A landlord may not grant permission to enter a premises that has a tenant.

D. Single-family residences and duplexes shall not be regulated under this code. (Ord. O-02-21 § 1)

14.60.020 Process.

A. Any public or private business, including any building or property associated with such business to which the public or employees may make entrance into or upon, shall be required to have an annual fire and life safety inspection. Fire and life safety inspections shall occur during business hours of the business on Monday through Friday, at the discretion of the fire marshal. Inspections may or may not be scheduled prior to inspection of the premises.

B. Each business is responsible for payment of the fees assessed for the annual fire and life safety inspection. Failure to pay the fee set by the county for an annual inspection may result in enforcement action as adopted by Title 1. Nothing in this title shall limit the remedies available to the county as set forth in the International Fire Code, International Property Maintenance Code, or other county ordinance or state law. (Ord. O-02-21 § 1)

14.60.030 Operational permits.

Any business or person engaging in any type of operation as defined in Section 105.6 of the International Fire Code shall first apply for and receive an operational permit from the fire marshal. Inspections of the type of operation shall be required on an annual basis. The permit is valid for a prescribed time period, or until such time as it is revoked by the fire marshal. (Ord. O-02-21 § 1)

14.60.040 Permits for temporary businesses.

Any temporary or seasonal business shall be required to apply for and receive a temporary operational permit prior to opening for business. Applications shall be received by the fire marshal’s office no later than fourteen days prior to the date the business is to begin operations. A fire and life safety inspection shall be conducted prior to the business opening to the public. (Ord. O-02-21 § 1)

14.60.050 Construction permits.

A construction permit is required when a safety-related system or hazardous material storage is installed or an existing system or facility is modified, as stated in Section 105.7 of the International Fire Code. A plan review of the installation shall be approved prior to the installation of the system. An inspection of the system shall be conducted by the fire inspector prior to system initiation. (Ord. O-02-21 § 1)

14.60.060 Assembly/special event permits.

A. Public assembly/special event permits are required for events held inside a structure or outdoors where people may be confined by fences, walls, buildings, trees, or are located in any area where egress may not be adequate. Assembly/special event permits are required for events including but not limited to trade shows, exhibits, conventions, meetings, food festivals, farmer’s markets, street fairs, art festivals, music festivals, or similar functions. The following criteria apply when determining whether an assembly/special event permit is required:

1. The calculated load is fifty people or greater.

2. These gatherings are not physically laid out in accordance with floor plans approved as part of the annual fire and life safety inspections.

B. Exceptions:

1. An assembly/special event permit is not required for events at public assemblages which conform to seating plans approved under the annual fire and life safety permit. If the seating plan is altered for the gathering, a permit is required.

C. Inspections for these events shall occur prior to the event opening, and may, by nature of the event, need to be conducted on weekends or after normal business hours. (Ord. O-02-21 § 1)

14.60.070 Fees.

Fees shall be set by resolution of the board of county commissioners. Failure to pay the fee set by the county or receive a passing inspection shall be grounds for revocation of a permit granted under Section 14.60.030,¹ or enforcement as adopted by Title 1, Chapter 1.16. (Ord. O-02-21 § 1)

Code reviser’s note: Ord. O-02-21 originally showed this reference as “Sections 14.05.030 and 14.05.031.” The reference has been changed by the city.