Process Guide - Ross Valley Fire Department

RVFD Permit Guide

Although the codes and standards for the different planning jurisdictions within Ross Valley Fire Department's area are similar, the planning and permit process varies greatly. Please review the submission guidelines below carefully to avoid project delays.

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.

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.

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.

Building Permit Process

1. Visit your local Building Department

Ross

San Anselmo

Sleepy Hollow

Fairfax

Visit

Building Department

Visit

Building Division

Visit

Building & Safety Division

At Building & Safety Division, obtain:

Fire Jusrisdiction Transmittal Form (for issuing and relasing holds on building permits)
County date-stamps on at least 2 sets of plans.

Visit

Building Division

At Building Division, obtain:

Fairfax Building Division date-stamps on at least 2 sets of plans.

Submit Fire Department Forms directly to the Building Department. The following must be included with your submission:

Completed RVFD Plan Submittal Form.
1 set of architectural plans (wet stamped and signed).
$320 Check made out to "RVFD" for the Plan Review Fee.

Visit

RVFD Icon

RVFD Admin Office

Submit Fire Department Forms:

Complete RVFD Plan Submittal Form.
2 set of architectural plans wet stamped and signed by the architect/designer and date-stamped by the County of Marin Building & Safety Division.
$320 Check made out to "RVFD" for the Plan Review Fee.

Visit

RVFD Icon

RVFD Admin Office

Submit Fire Department Forms:

Complete RVFD Plan Submittal Form.
2 set of architectural plans wet stamped and signed by the architect/designer and date-stamped by the Farifax Building Division.
$320 Check made out to "RVFD" for the Plan Review Fee.

Following Project Review

Collect your plans and keeping them on the job-site

Visit

Ross Planning Department

Building Department

Visit

Building Division

Visit

RVFD Icon

RVFD Admin Office

Visit

RVFD Icon

RVFD Admin Office

Fire Department comments are routed to the appropriate town Building Department. Staff will contact you when reviews are complete.

Once project work begins, an approved, town-stamped set of plans must be kept on-site at all times.

Completed plans must be picked up at the Ross Valley Fire Department Administrative office at 777 San Anselmo Avenue during business hours.

Once project work begins, an approved, RVFD-stamped set of plans must be kept on-site at all times.

Scheduling Inspections

Please email prevention@rossvalleyfire.org to schedule an inspection.

Certain projects may require additional Fire Department Permits. To determine if your project requires additional Fire Department Permits, please review the conditions of approval on your building permit or consult with your architect or engineer.

If required, all plans and applications are to be submitted to the Ross Valley Fire Department Administration Office.