Planning Review

Planning Review

Plan Submittals

NEW! Effective January 1, 2023, all permit applications and plan reviews must be submitted digitally. Paper plans/applications will not be accepted.

The following is intended to guide the applicant how to apply for a fire permit or plan review:

Download and complete the Plan Submittal Application PDF Document.
Submit plans and the completed application in PDF format to planreview@rossvalleyfire.org
- Include supporting documentation when applicable:
  - Cut Sheets and Calculations
  - Permit Applications (from Towns or County)
  - Documentation of application Fees (from Towns or County)
Fire fees will be invoiced and sent to the applicant through SQUARE. Fees will be due at time of invoice.
- The minimum permit fee is listed in our current Fee Schedule. These fees are the minimum charge for a typical application. Additional charges may apply for large projects and re-inspections, or failures to comply, which result in additional inspections
Once the review is completed and fees collected, plans with conditions will be returned to the applicant via email.
Approved plans and conditions of approval shall be readily available on-site for all inspections.

** DISCLAIMER: Please disregard the information below. We are working on updating our website. The most accurate instructions on submitting a permit or plan review is above.

ChecklistBlack Many projects require planning department review prior to the building permit application process. In these cases the Town Planning Departments (Ross, San Anselmo and Fairfax) will request Ross Valley Fire Department to review the projects.

The Town will route planning applications to the Ross Valley Fire Department for a courtesy review. The purpose of the fire department review is to advise the applicant, as early as possible, should plans conflict with fire code regulations. An example would be if a fire apparatus accees road is required, the location or design of the structure may need to be altered.

All design plans and correspondences are routed through the Town Planning Department. A complete review is completed during the Building Construction submittal phase.

Planning Review Process Overview

1. Visit your local planning department.

Planning Dep't

CDA - Current Planning

Planning Dep't

2. Learn the codes and standards that apply to your project.

3. Based on the scope of your project, planning officials will determine if planning review is required.

Projects Ready for Building Department Review

Projects Requiring Fire Department Planning Review

You are ready to visit your local Building Department.

If the local Planning Department determines that your project requires Fire Department review or involvement in the planning stage, they will route a copy of relevant plans and documents to the Fire Department for review.

Plan review submittals are evaluated for completeness. In determining completeness, fire department personnel will evaluate factors such as available fire flow, fire apparatus access, and vegetative fuels. If additional fire department permits or review is required, this will be noted as a requirement for Building Department conditions of approval.

A $320 fee will apply to all fire department planning reviews.

4. Review Comments and follow instructions to proceed.

The Planning Department will contact you when both the Building and Fire Departments complete their reviews and comments are ready for distribution.

Requirements differ by jurisdiction. Click the links below to be redirected to the local codes and standards or contact the local planning department for specific questions:

Local Municapal Codes

Town of Ross

Town of San Anselmo

Sleepy Hollow Fire Protection District

Town of Fairfax

Local Planning Departments:
- Town of Ross, Planning Department
- Town of San Anselmo, Planning Department
- Sleepy Hollow Fire Protection District, Marin County Community Planning
- Town of Fairfax, Planning Department
Please refer to the Project Process and Permit Guide, or your local planning department, for submission requirements:
- RVFD Project Process and Permit Guide
- Town of Ross, Building Department
- Town of San Anselmo, Planning Department
- Town of Fairfax, Building Division
- Sleepy Hollow Fire Protection District, Marin County Building and Safety Division
A fee is required for all plannning reviews. Fees are set forth in the current Fee Schedule.

Plans are submitted to the Planning Department and should follow all requirements stipulated by the specific Planning Department.

Please note: in addition to Planning Department requirements, plans should include, a site plan showing apparatus access and the closest fire hydrant location. Including as much detail early in the process will result in a more thorough review.

Many of the planning departments require a Vegetation Management Plan (VMP) as part of their submission requirements.
- Ross Valley Fire Department will complete a courtesy review of the project for compliance with state and local fire code, and return written comments to the local planning department within the time period established by the local planning department.
- Planning reviews do not typically involve inspections.