See Outdoor Burning Information regarding burn permits.
Fire Marshal's Office
Planning and Development Services | Fire Marshal
Protecting Lives and Property
The Skagit County Fire Marshal’s Office works to protect the lives and property of Skagit County residents by promoting fire prevention and ensuring compliance with fire and life safety requirements.
The Fire Marshal’s Office serves as a crucial communication conduit among local fire districts, adjacent cities, and state government agencies. Through initiatives such as education, inspections, plan reviews, and fire investigations, it aids in the mitigation of fire hazards.
Our goal is to work with residents, businesses, fire districts, and our surrounding government agencies to prevent fires, reduce risks, and help keep Skagit County a safe place to live, work, and visit.
Residential and Commercial Projects
The Fire Marshal's Offices performs project plan review as part of residential and commercial buildings, land disturbance and fire permit applications.
Residential Fire Sprinkler Systems:
Residential fire sprinkler systems use heat‑activated heads that discharge about 15–20 GPM and are intended to control a fire early enough for safe escape, reducing fire‑death risk by roughly 80%. Residential fire sprinklers remain one of the most effective life‑safety features available for homes.
Residential Fire Sprinkler Systems are governed by NFPA 13D and applies to one- and two-family dwellings, manufactured homes, and townhouses.
Commercial Fire Sprinkler Systems:
There are 3 main triggers that determine if a Fire Sprinkler System is required.
Building Size:
The IBC/IFC sets fire area thresholds for different types of building occupancies. If a building has a fire area in excess of the threshold, fire sprinklers are required.
Square footage is counted across all floors. Different occupancy types carry different thresholds; additionally, local jurisdictions may adopt stricter thresholds than what is mandated in the IBC/IFC.
Occupancy Type:
The building’s use is as significant as its size. Certain uses require sprinklers regardless of building size:
- Group R (Residential): Apartments, hotels, motels, dormitories, and assisted living facilities require sprinklers throughout, no minimum size threshold.
- Group I (Institutional): Hospitals, nursing homes, and detention facilities require sprinklers throughout, as occupants may be unable to self-evacuate.
- Group H (High-Hazard): Buildings storing flammable, combustible, or otherwise hazardous materials have stricter thresholders to trigger sprinklers.
For other commercial occupancies, thresholds vary:
|
Occupancy |
Examples |
Sprinkler Trigger |
|
Group A-2 |
Restaurants, bars |
Fire area > 5,000 sq. ft., or 100+ occupants |
|
Group A-1, A-3, A-4 |
Theaters, churches, gyms |
Fire area > 12,000 sq. ft., or 300+ occupants |
|
Group E |
Schools, daycare |
Fire area > 12,000 sq. ft., or 300+ occupants |
|
Group M |
Retail stores |
Fire area > 12,000 sq. ft. |
|
Group S |
Warehouses, storage |
Varies by hazard level and storage height |
Note, this data is sources from IBC/IFC 2024, Chapter 9 and has been simplified. Please reference the applicable sections of the IBC/IFC and local requirements for the complete list of triggers.
Group A-2 (restaurants and bars) carries a notably low threshold, 5,000 sq. ft. or 100 occupants, making it one of the most commonly triggered classifications in tenant buildouts
Building Height:
Buildings with occupied floors more than 55 feet above ground level require sprinklers, regardless of occupancy or square footage. Height is measured from the lowest level of fire department vehicle access to the floor of the highest occupiable story.
Buildings taller than 75 feet are classified as high-rises and carry additional requirements beyond sprinklers, including standpipe systems and fire pumps to maintain adequate water pressure at upper floors.
A fire alarm system is a crucial part of the fire and life safety of a building and its occupants. Fire Alarms System requirement is usually determined by the building occupancy, size and height.
Above Ground Fuel Tanks:
Above‑ground fuel tanks are steel storage containers for diesel, gasoline, oil, or other liquids that sit at or above grade, offering easier installation, inspection, and maintenance than underground tanks. They come in single‑wall, double‑wall, fire‑rated, horizontal, vertical, and turnkey configurations, and must meet EPA SPCC rules, NFPA 30 fire codes, and UL‑142/UL‑2085 standards.
Beloe Ground Fuel Tanks:
Below-ground fuel tanks, also known as underground storage tanks (USTs), are engineered for safe, long-term storage of petroleum products and other hazardous liquids, featuring corrosion protection, leak detection, and regulatory compliance.
Fire departments in the U.S. are required to have unobstructed access to buildings and properties during emergencies. This is mandated by fire codes such as the International Fire Code (IFC).
When you install a gate on a fire apparatus access road or driveway, you are potentially blocking a critical emergency route. To allow proper access, the gate must meet strict standards and be approved in advance by the fire code official.
Key reasons for approval
- Emergency access: Fire engines, ladder trucks, and other apparatus must be able to reach the property quickly to fight fires, rescue occupants, or control hazards.
- Minimum width requirements: Gates must be wide enough (often at least 20 feet) to allow full apparatus passage.
- Emergency override: Gates must have a fire department override — such as a Knox key switch, strobe light sensor, or physical override box — that opens them within seconds during an emergency.
- Fail-safe operation: Gates must open automatically in case of power failure or have the option to manually push open the gate without extra steps.
- Visibility and maintenance: Emergency access points must be visible, and the gate must remain in working order at all times.
Your gate must be approved because fire safety laws require unimpeded access for emergency vehicles. Approval ensures the gate can be opened quickly and safely during a fire or other emergency, protecting life and property.
See Fire Access Driveway Standards for additional information.
