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Fire Sprinkler / Fire Alarm Permit (Fire Construction Permit) in Tempe, Arizona

Tempe Fire Medical Rescue Department issues fire construction permits for the installation of and modification to fire and life-safety systems, including automatic fire sprinkler systems (IFC 105.7.1) and fire alarm and detection systems (IFC 105.7.7). Tempe City Code Sec. 14-16 adopts the International Fire Code, 2024 Edition (Ord. No. O2026.24, Sec. 13(Exh. B), adopted June 4, 2026), and Sec. 14-17 provides that it 'shall be enforced by the Fire Medical Rescue Department of the City, under the supervision of the Fire Marshal'; the Tempe amendments create the Community Risk Reduction Division as the fire code official. Construction documents are submitted for review through the Tempe Citizen Access Portal using the Fire [FR] Application. Fees are time-based rather than flat: the adopted fee schedule sets a labor rate of $93.35 per hour plus a published base time in hours for each permit type, cumulative, with additional review or inspection time assessed at the hourly rate.

Verified 2026-08-15 · Source

When you need this permit

  • Tempe City Code Sec. 14-16 adopts the International Fire Code, 2024 Edition, together with appendix chapters B, C, H, I, K, O and J
  • A construction permit is required for the installation and modification of fire and/or life-safety systems and equipment, and for a broad range of operations and systems involving hazardous materials (Tempe Fire Prevention, Fire Inspections page)
  • Construction documents are submitted for review through the Tempe Citizen Access Portal (epermits.tempe.gov/CitizenAccess/Default.aspx)
  • Use the Fire [FR] Application. Part 2 of the form requires the applicant to identify Automatic Fire Sprinkler System (Installation or Modification, with the number of sprinkler heads) and/or Fire Alarm and Detection Systems (Installation or Modification, with the number of devices)
  • Operational permit applications must be submitted at least 10 working days prior to the anticipated commencement date; a Fire Inspector then contacts the applicant for any additional documentation
  • Once a construction permit has been issued and work has begun, all permit inspections must be requested through the 24-hour Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system or scheduled online through the Citizen Access Portal
  • Tempe amends IFC Section 903.2 to remove the model code's area and occupant-load sprinkler thresholds: an automatic sprinkler system is required throughout buildings and portions thereof used as Group A-1, A-2, A-3, A-4 and A-5, Group B, Group E, Group F-1, Group M, Group R, Group S-1 and Group S-2 parking garage occupancies
  • Tempe amends IFC Section 903.2.11.3 to require an automatic sprinkler system throughout buildings located 55 feet or more above the lowest level of fire department vehicle access
  • Tempe adds IFC Section 105.6.26: a construction permit is required for installation of or modification to a Fire Fighter Air Replenishment System (FARS)
  • Tempe adds IFC Section 901.6.3.2: on completion of inspection, testing and maintenance of a fire protection system, a tag must be attached in a conspicuous location documenting the date, the contractor and AZROC license number, the individual who performed the work, and whether the system is compliant or deficiencies were noted

Required documents

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Fee schedule

Fire construction permit labor rate (all construction permit types)Verbatim: 'Construction permit fees listed below are based on a labor rate of $93.35 per hour. The base time for plan review and inspections during normal business hours are indicated with each permit type. Additional time to complete the plan review or inspection will be assessed at the hourly rate. Additional system features will be added to the base fee. Fees will be cumulative.' Read from the City's adopted Schedule of Fees and Charges, Appendix A of the Tempe City Code, section 'FIRE PREVENTION AND PROTECTION' > 'Construction Permit Fees' (library.municode.com/az/tempe/codes/city_code?nodeId=APXASCFECH_FIRE_PREVENTION_PROTECTION). Verified against a rendered screenshot of that table, not text extraction alone. The section's citation line ends 'R2025.66, effective 7-1-26', so this is the schedule currently in force. Tempe's Building Safety Fees page links this Municode section as the City's 'Fire Protection & Prevention Fees'.
$93.35 per hour
105.7.1 Automatic Fire Sprinkler Systems, Installations, plan review/inspection up to 200 headsBase time in hours, billed at the $93.35 hourly labor rate. The product is deliberately not computed here. Read from the City's adopted Schedule of Fees and Charges, Appendix A of the Tempe City Code, section 'FIRE PREVENTION AND PROTECTION' > 'Construction Permit Fees' (library.municode.com/az/tempe/codes/city_code?nodeId=APXASCFECH_FIRE_PREVENTION_PROTECTION). Verified against a rendered screenshot of that table, not text extraction alone. The section's citation line ends 'R2025.66, effective 7-1-26', so this is the schedule currently in force. Tempe's Building Safety Fees page links this Municode section as the City's 'Fire Protection & Prevention Fees'.
5.0 hours base time
105.7.1 Automatic Fire Sprinkler Systems, Installations, each additional 200 headsRead from the City's adopted Schedule of Fees and Charges, Appendix A of the Tempe City Code, section 'FIRE PREVENTION AND PROTECTION' > 'Construction Permit Fees' (library.municode.com/az/tempe/codes/city_code?nodeId=APXASCFECH_FIRE_PREVENTION_PROTECTION). Verified against a rendered screenshot of that table, not text extraction alone. The section's citation line ends 'R2025.66, effective 7-1-26', so this is the schedule currently in force. Tempe's Building Safety Fees page links this Municode section as the City's 'Fire Protection & Prevention Fees'.
4.0 hours base time
105.7.1 Automatic Fire Sprinkler Systems, Modifications, 1 to 20 heads (over-the-counter permit/inspection)Read from the City's adopted Schedule of Fees and Charges, Appendix A of the Tempe City Code, section 'FIRE PREVENTION AND PROTECTION' > 'Construction Permit Fees' (library.municode.com/az/tempe/codes/city_code?nodeId=APXASCFECH_FIRE_PREVENTION_PROTECTION). Verified against a rendered screenshot of that table, not text extraction alone. The section's citation line ends 'R2025.66, effective 7-1-26', so this is the schedule currently in force. Tempe's Building Safety Fees page links this Municode section as the City's 'Fire Protection & Prevention Fees'.
2.0 hours base time
105.7.1 Automatic Fire Sprinkler Systems, Modifications, plan review/inspection 21 to 200 headsEach additional 200 heads adds 3.0 hours base time. Read from the City's adopted Schedule of Fees and Charges, Appendix A of the Tempe City Code, section 'FIRE PREVENTION AND PROTECTION' > 'Construction Permit Fees' (library.municode.com/az/tempe/codes/city_code?nodeId=APXASCFECH_FIRE_PREVENTION_PROTECTION). Verified against a rendered screenshot of that table, not text extraction alone. The section's citation line ends 'R2025.66, effective 7-1-26', so this is the schedule currently in force. Tempe's Building Safety Fees page links this Municode section as the City's 'Fire Protection & Prevention Fees'.
4.0 hours base time
105.7.7 Fire Alarm and Detection Systems, Installations, plan review/inspection up to 200 devicesEach additional 200 devices adds 5.0 hours; Dedicated Function Systems carry 3.0 hours base time. Read from the City's adopted Schedule of Fees and Charges, Appendix A of the Tempe City Code, section 'FIRE PREVENTION AND PROTECTION' > 'Construction Permit Fees' (library.municode.com/az/tempe/codes/city_code?nodeId=APXASCFECH_FIRE_PREVENTION_PROTECTION). Verified against a rendered screenshot of that table, not text extraction alone. The section's citation line ends 'R2025.66, effective 7-1-26', so this is the schedule currently in force. Tempe's Building Safety Fees page links this Municode section as the City's 'Fire Protection & Prevention Fees'.
6.0 hours base time
105.7.7 Fire Alarm and Detection Systems, Modifications, 1 to 10 devices (over-the-counter permit/inspection)Read from the City's adopted Schedule of Fees and Charges, Appendix A of the Tempe City Code, section 'FIRE PREVENTION AND PROTECTION' > 'Construction Permit Fees' (library.municode.com/az/tempe/codes/city_code?nodeId=APXASCFECH_FIRE_PREVENTION_PROTECTION). Verified against a rendered screenshot of that table, not text extraction alone. The section's citation line ends 'R2025.66, effective 7-1-26', so this is the schedule currently in force. Tempe's Building Safety Fees page links this Municode section as the City's 'Fire Protection & Prevention Fees'.
2.0 hours base time
105.7.7 Fire Alarm and Detection Systems, Modifications, plan review/inspection 11 to 50 devicesEach additional 50 devices adds 3.0 hours base time. Read from the City's adopted Schedule of Fees and Charges, Appendix A of the Tempe City Code, section 'FIRE PREVENTION AND PROTECTION' > 'Construction Permit Fees' (library.municode.com/az/tempe/codes/city_code?nodeId=APXASCFECH_FIRE_PREVENTION_PROTECTION). Verified against a rendered screenshot of that table, not text extraction alone. The section's citation line ends 'R2025.66, effective 7-1-26', so this is the schedule currently in force. Tempe's Building Safety Fees page links this Municode section as the City's 'Fire Protection & Prevention Fees'.
4.0 hours base time
Re-inspections (after second re-inspection) / Inspections outside normal business hours / Inspector standbyRead from the City's adopted Schedule of Fees and Charges, Appendix A of the Tempe City Code, section 'FIRE PREVENTION AND PROTECTION' > 'Construction Permit Fees' (library.municode.com/az/tempe/codes/city_code?nodeId=APXASCFECH_FIRE_PREVENTION_PROTECTION). Verified against a rendered screenshot of that table, not text extraction alone. The section's citation line ends 'R2025.66, effective 7-1-26', so this is the schedule currently in force. Tempe's Building Safety Fees page links this Municode section as the City's 'Fire Protection & Prevention Fees'.
3.0 hours base time each
Plan Review Resubmittal (after third re-submittal) and Revision to Approved PlansCode Modification/Appeal Application carries 6.0 hours base time. Read from the City's adopted Schedule of Fees and Charges, Appendix A of the Tempe City Code, section 'FIRE PREVENTION AND PROTECTION' > 'Construction Permit Fees' (library.municode.com/az/tempe/codes/city_code?nodeId=APXASCFECH_FIRE_PREVENTION_PROTECTION). Verified against a rendered screenshot of that table, not text extraction alone. The section's citation line ends 'R2025.66, effective 7-1-26', so this is the schedule currently in force. Tempe's Building Safety Fees page links this Municode section as the City's 'Fire Protection & Prevention Fees'.
2.0 hours base time each
Work without permits; Expedited plan reviewRead from the City's adopted Schedule of Fees and Charges, Appendix A of the Tempe City Code, section 'FIRE PREVENTION AND PROTECTION' > 'Construction Permit Fees' (library.municode.com/az/tempe/codes/city_code?nodeId=APXASCFECH_FIRE_PREVENTION_PROTECTION). Verified against a rendered screenshot of that table, not text extraction alone. The section's citation line ends 'R2025.66, effective 7-1-26', so this is the schedule currently in force. Tempe's Building Safety Fees page links this Municode section as the City's 'Fire Protection & Prevention Fees'.
Double the permit fees
Fire Protection System Testing and Maintenance Service FeeListed under 'Administrative Fees' in the same adopted Fire Prevention and Protection fee section. Read from the City's adopted Schedule of Fees and Charges, Appendix A of the Tempe City Code, section 'FIRE PREVENTION AND PROTECTION' > 'Construction Permit Fees' (library.municode.com/az/tempe/codes/city_code?nodeId=APXASCFECH_FIRE_PREVENTION_PROTECTION). Verified against a rendered screenshot of that table, not text extraction alone. The section's citation line ends 'R2025.66, effective 7-1-26', so this is the schedule currently in force. Tempe's Building Safety Fees page links this Municode section as the City's 'Fire Protection & Prevention Fees'.
$10.29 per ITM Report

Review timeline

Plan reviewTempe’s published plan-review target
15–25 business days

How long did your Fire Sprinkler / Fire Alarm Permit (Fire Construction Permit) permit actually take in Tempe?

Anonymous — one question, no email. Answers are combined and only shown once at least 5 people have reported.

Inspection process

  1. 1

    Fire construction permit inspection

    Inspection of the installed or modified fire protection system under the issued construction permit. The adopted fee schedule pairs plan review and inspection in a single base-time allowance per permit type. Requested through the 24-hour IVR system or scheduled online through the Tempe Citizen Access Portal.

  2. 2

    Re-inspection (chargeable after the second re-inspection)

    Re-inspections after the second re-inspection are assessed at 3.0 hours base time at the $93.35 hourly labor rate under the adopted Fire Prevention and Protection fee schedule.

See the full Tempe inspection guide — scheduling & re-inspection fees →

Tips

  • Tempe's fire code is on a different cycle from its building codes. Tempe City Code Sec. 14-16 adopts the 2024 International Fire Code (Ord. No. O2026.24, adopted June 4, 2026, which repealed the former Article II), while the Building Safety codes page still publishes the 2018 I-Code set. Design fire protection to the 2024 IFC plus the Tempe amendments in City Code Chapter 14, Article II, Division 2.
  • Fire permit fees are time-based, not flat. Base hours times $93.35 per hour, cumulative across systems, with any additional review or inspection time billed at the same rate. A complex or incomplete submittal costs more than the base time.
  • Small modifications are handled over the counter: 1 to 20 sprinkler heads or 1 to 10 alarm devices carry a 2.0-hour OTC permit/inspection base time instead of a full plan review cycle.
  • Tempe deletes the model-code sprinkler thresholds. Group A, B, E, F-1, M, R, S-1 and S-2 parking garage occupancies require sprinklers throughout regardless of floor area or occupant load, so do not size a Tempe project off the unamended IFC.
  • Do not use Building Safety's Target Turn-Around Times sheet for fire review. Its Fire and Fire Alarm / AFES rows deliberately carry no number and refer you to the Fire Medical Rescue permits, fees and forms page.
  • Work started without a permit, and expedited plan review, each double the permit fees under the adopted fire fee schedule.

Frequently asked questions

Tempe requires a fire sprinkler / fire alarm permit (fire construction permit) for: Tempe City Code Sec. 14-16 adopts the International Fire Code, 2024 Edition, together with appendix chapters B, C, H, I, K, O and J; A construction permit is required for the installation and modification of fire and/or life-safety systems and equipment, and for a broad range of operations and systems involving hazardous materials (Tempe Fire Prevention, Fire Inspections page); Construction documents are submitted for review through the Tempe Citizen Access Portal (epermits.tempe.gov/CitizenAccess/Default.aspx); Use the Fire [FR] Application. Part 2 of the form requires the applicant to identify Automatic Fire Sprinkler System (Installation or Modification, with the number of sprinkler heads) and/or Fire Alarm and Detection Systems (Installation or Modification, with the number of devices); Operational permit applications must be submitted at least 10 working days prior to the anticipated commencement date; a Fire Inspector then contacts the applicant for any additional documentation; Once a construction permit has been issued and work has begun, all permit inspections must be requested through the 24-hour Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system or scheduled online through the Citizen Access Portal; Tempe amends IFC Section 903.2 to remove the model code's area and occupant-load sprinkler thresholds: an automatic sprinkler system is required throughout buildings and portions thereof used as Group A-1, A-2, A-3, A-4 and A-5, Group B, Group E, Group F-1, Group M, Group R, Group S-1 and Group S-2 parking garage occupancies; Tempe amends IFC Section 903.2.11.3 to require an automatic sprinkler system throughout buildings located 55 feet or more above the lowest level of fire department vehicle access; Tempe adds IFC Section 105.6.26: a construction permit is required for installation of or modification to a Fire Fighter Air Replenishment System (FARS); Tempe adds IFC Section 901.6.3.2: on completion of inspection, testing and maintenance of a fire protection system, a tag must be attached in a conspicuous location documenting the date, the contractor and AZROC license number, the individual who performed the work, and whether the system is compliant or deficiencies were noted. If your project isn't listed, confirm with City of Tempe Community Development Department — Building Safety Division / Permit Center at 480-350-4311 before starting work.

Tempe's fire construction permit fees are time-based, not flat. The adopted Schedule of Fees and Charges (Appendix A, Fire Prevention and Protection) sets a labor rate of $93.35 per hour plus a base time per permit type: an automatic fire sprinkler system installation with up to 200 heads carries 5.0 hours of base time and each additional 200 heads 4.0 hours; a fire alarm and detection system installation with up to 200 devices carries 6.0 hours and each additional 200 devices 5.0 hours. Modifications of 1 to 20 sprinkler heads or 1 to 10 alarm devices are 2.0-hour over-the-counter permits. Additional review or inspection time is assessed at the hourly rate and fees are cumulative.

Tempe Fire Medical Rescue publishes target working days for the first review: automatic fire sprinkler system installations 20 working days and modifications 15; fire alarm and detection system installations 25 working days and modifications 15. Installations also allow 3 working days for administrative completeness. Re-submittals target 15 working days for sprinklers and 20 for alarms. Building Safety's own turn-around sheet publishes no fire number and points to the Fire Medical Rescue permits, fees and forms page instead.

You'll need: Fire [FR] Application; Construction documents / system plans. See the required-documents checklist on this page for details on each.

Tempe requires 2 inspection(s) for a fire sprinkler / fire alarm permit (fire construction permit), in order: Fire construction permit inspection, Re-inspection (chargeable after the second re-inspection). Schedule each through City of Tempe Community Development Department — Building Safety Division / Permit Center (480-350-4311).

Apply through City of Tempe Community Development Department — Building Safety Division / Permit Center at City of Tempe City Hall, 31 E. 5th St., Tempe, AZ 85281. Phone: 480-350-4311, email: permitcenter@tempe.gov. Office hours: Contact the Permit Center at 480-350-4311 or permitcenter@tempe.gov for current hours; inspections are conducted Monday–Friday 6:30 AM–3:30 PM (inspection requests received before midnight are inspected the following business day). Official information: https://www.tempe.gov/government/community-development/building-safety/permit-center.

Tempe, Arizona has adopted: 2018 Tempe Building Safety Administrative Code (local administrative provisions) — adopted with Tempe amendments; published on the ICC Safe platform (codes.iccsafe.org/content/AZTEMPEMC2018P2); 2018 International Building Code (IBC) — adopted with Tempe amendments; published on the ICC Safe platform (codes.iccsafe.org/content/AZTEMPEBC2018P1); 2018 International Residential Code (IRC) — adopted with Tempe amendments; published on the ICC Safe platform (codes.iccsafe.org/content/AZTEMPERC2018P11); 2018 International Mechanical Code (IMC) — adopted with Tempe amendments; published on the ICC Safe platform (codes.iccsafe.org/content/AZTEMPEMC2018P11); 2018 International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC) — adopted with Tempe amendments; published on the ICC Safe platform (codes.iccsafe.org/content/AZTEMPEFGC2018P11); 2018 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) — adopted with Tempe amendments; published on the ICC Safe platform (codes.iccsafe.org/content/AZTEMPEECC2018P1); 2018 International Existing Building Code (IEBC) — adopted with Tempe amendments; published on the ICC Safe platform (codes.iccsafe.org/content/AZTEMPEEBC2018P22); 2018 International Plumbing Code (IPC) — adopted with Tempe amendments; published on the ICC Safe platform (codes.iccsafe.org/content/AZTEMPEPC2018P11); 2018 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC) — adopted with Tempe amendments; published on the ICC Safe platform (codes.iccsafe.org/content/AZTEMPESPSC2018P1); 2018 International Fire Code (IFC) — adopted with Tempe amendments; published on the ICC Safe platform (codes.iccsafe.org/content/AZTEMPEFC2018P1); 2018 International Green Construction Code (IgCC) — adopted with Tempe amendments; published on the ICC Safe platform (library.municode.com/az/tempe/codes/city_code?nodeId=CH8BUBURE_ARTXIINGRCOCO); 2017 National Electrical Code (NEC) — adopted with Tempe amendments; published in the Tempe City Code (library.municode.com/az/tempe/codes/city_code?nodeId=CH8BUBURE_ARTVIII2017NAELCO). Local amendments apply — see the Tempe overview page for the full list.

The Tempe Fire Medical Rescue Department. Tempe City Code Sec. 14-16 adopts the International Fire Code, 2024 Edition, and Sec. 14-17 provides that the adopted fire code 'shall be enforced by the Fire Medical Rescue Department of the City, under the supervision of the Fire Marshal.' The Tempe amendments name the Community Risk Reduction Division as the fire code official. Construction documents are submitted through the Tempe Citizen Access Portal using the Fire [FR] Application.

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