Fire Code Resources

To check the status of a permit, please call (303) 651-8303 or (303) 651-8332.

Please be aware that the City of Longmont has adopted the 2021 International Fire Code (IFC) under which a schedule of fees was established for permits issued.

Permit Application

Construction Permit Fee Schedule (pdf – 24 KB)

For additional assistance from Fire Services regarding permits please email or call (303) 651-8434.

Outdoor Burn Regulations for Residents in Boulder County Within the Longmont City Limits

Prohibited Burning Materials All Categories

A. Plastics
B. Garbage and Construction Waste
C. Wire Insulation
D. Rubber
E. All Petroleum Based Products
F. Animal Waste
G. Food Service and Industrial Waste
H. Yard Vegetation and Debris

Extinguishing a Fire

All fires shall be constantly attended by a responsible party until the fire is fully extinguished. A minimum of one portable fire extinguisher with a minimum 4-A rating or other approved on-site fire-extinguishing equipment such as dirt, sand, water barrel, garden hose or water truck, shall be available for immediate use.

Not Allowed

Open burning is prohibited inside the Longmont city limits.

Charcoal and Propane barbecues are not allowed on decks or patios of apartment/condo buildings. Exception: propane tank size that are less than 2.5 pounds.

Vegetation and Debris – no burning of leaves, trash or other household or yard debris as a means of disposal within the Longmont city limits.

What is allowable – No burn permit required

Examples of allowed uses: Recreational fires, bbq pits and commercial fire appliances.

Cooking Fires (barbecues) and Fires Contained Within An Approved Burning Pit. Charcoal and propane BBQ’s are allowed on decks or patios of apartment/condo buildings if the tank is 2.5 pounds or less. Barbecue pits outdoors shall be constructed of noncombustible materials or approved in-ground locations. Barbecue pits shall not be located within 15 feet of combustible structures or combustible materials in multi-family developments. Barbecue pits shall be attended at all times until fully extinguished.

• Propane or LP-gas cooking devices. Propane cooking devices are not allowed on balconies or within 10 feet of combustible construction, exception for gas containers that are not greater than 2 ½ pound in capacity–A 2 ½ pound propane container is the smaller, typically green “Coleman” type cylinder (16 oz.). There are several grills manufactured that accept this type of container. The reason for this provision in the code is due to the inherent nature of propane. Propane is heavier than air, tends to linger in a vapor cloud and does not diffuse easily. When propane is released, it flows and settles much like water to the lowest point. A propane leak occurring on a balcony may migrate into the apartment through an open door, or “flow” off the balcony into the open window of a lower unit. Any open flame the gas encounters may explosively ignite the cloud of propane.
• Charcoal/wood pellet cooking devices. Charcoal, wood pellet and other such open-flame cooking devices are not allowed on combustible balconies or within 10 feet of combustible construction. EXCEPTION–when buildings, balconies and decks are protected by an automatic fire sprinkler system and are in one-two family dwellings. Sensible reminders for any charcoal cooking — Charcoal must never be used in an enclosed area, the fumes can be deadly. Flammable liquids like gasoline must never be used to start a charcoal fire. Use only products labeled for use as charcoal starting fluid. Never apply lighter fluid to an active fire. When done with charcoal cooking, replace the cover on the cooking device and close all air vents. Dispose of cold ashes into a noncombustible receptacle.
• Electric cooking devices. Outdoor electric cooking devices may be operated on balconies or patios provided the cooking device is directly connected to an outside approved type electrical outlet and used per manufacturer’s instructions.
• Natural gas cooking devices.  Natural gas cooking devices are allowed on balconies and patios provided the gas fired cooking device is permanently connected, complying with the manufacturer’s installation instructions and the Mechanical Code.
• Exit ways. Outdoor cooking devices cannot be located where they will block exit ways, including balconies, porches, patios or walkways.
• Enforcement responsibility.  It is ultimately the property owner’s responsibility to ensure compliance for most regulatory issues, including open flame cooking devices. The fire department frequently works with homeowners associations (HOA’s) and property management to heighten awareness of life safety items, including the use of open-flame cooking devices. Ideally, occupants take responsibility for and abide by lease agreements and management policies, which are typically driven by a combination of insurance, fire code, legal and proprietary requirements. Pertaining to the currently adopted edition of the International Fire Code, “Correction and abatement of violations of this code shall be the responsibility of the owner.”

Recreational Fires – Definition: A recreational fire is an outdoor fire burning materials where the fuel being burned is not contained in an incinerator, outdoor fireplace, and has a total fuels area of 3 ft or less in diameter and 2 feet or less in height for pleasure, religious, ceremonial, warmth or similar purposes. Natural untreated wood is allowed for burning. Prohibited materials which can not be used as fuel: yard debris, rubbish and prohibited materials. Recreational fires are permitted after dark. Check the Boulder County Air Quality at 303-782-0211 before burning. You may not burn during a red flag warning issued by Boulder County or the State of Colorado. Fires shall be attended at all times until fully extinguished. The fire department works to have a written agreement so applicant is aware of code conditions.

Portable Outdoor Fireplaces. A fire department permit is not required. Definition: A portable, outdoor, solid fuel burning fireplace that may be constructed of steel, concrete, clay or other noncombustible material. Example: gas fired fireplaces, metal or stone chiminea and commercial fire pits. May be of open design, may be equipped with small hearth, may  have a short chimney or similar products. All manufacturers suggestions, instructions and safety precautions are taken to ensure the unit operates as intended. In multi-family developments (apartments, townhouses, condominiums) you can not have a fire pit within 15 feet of a structure or combustible. Prohibited materials shall not be used as a fuel. Fires shall be attended at all times until fully extinguished. An available means to extinguish shall be made available; fire extinguishers, a connected garden hose, bucket of water, etc. Only natural untreated wood shall be used or manufactured burn logs.

• Open flames such as citronella candles, lanterns, kerosene heaters and gas fired heaters can not be located on or near decorative material or similar combustible materials, Burning devices shall be attended until extinguished. 
  
• Tiki Torches are allowed for use and the only condition is that they are installed in such a manner as to prevent the flame from contacting combustible material.

What may be allowable – with a burn permit from the Longmont Fire Department

Bonfire. Definition: A bonfire is an outdoor fire used for ceremonial purposes.  Open burning for fires that have a fuel area larger than three feet in diameter and two feet in height. Bonfires shall be inspected by fire prevention personnel prior to igniting.  Bonfires shall not be located within 50 feet of a structure or combustible material. Natural untreated wood is allowed for burning. Prohibited materials shall not be used as fuel.  Bonfires shall be no greater than 8 feet in diameter and 4 feet in height. Bonfires shall be attended at all times until fully extinguished. Please call 303-774-4471 during business hours.

Agricultural Burning – conditional use for open burning.  Please call 303-774-4471 during business hours.

 

Please contact the Longmont Fire Department via email or call 303-774-4471 during business hours (Monday-Friday between 8 am-5 pm) for questions, clarifications, or assistance regarding burn regulations. If this is outside of business hours and requires immediate attention, please call 911 or 303-651-8501 (non-emergency).

Kitchen Hood. Kitchen Hood Cleaning . Paint Booth Systems Reference Standards: NFPA 17A- Standard for Wet Chemical Extinguishing Systems (Kitchen Systems) 2017 Edition NFPA 17 – Standard for Dry Chemical Extinguishing Systems (Paint Booth Systems) 2017 Edition Suppression Systems Manufacture IT&M Literature/Requirements

 

Fire Sprinkler Systems Reference Standards: NFPA 25- Standard for the Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems 2017 Edition Systems shall be inspected and tested for proper operation at intervals set forth in the applicable NFPA Standard.

 

Fire Alarm Systems . Special Hazard Systems Reference Standards: NFPA 72- National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code 2016 Edition NFPA 12- Standard on Carbon Dioxide Extinguishing Systems 2015 Edition NFPA 12A- Standard on Halon 1301 Fire Extinguishing Systems 2015 Edition NFPA 2001- Clean-agent Extinguishing Systems 2015 Edition Systems shall be inspected and tested for proper operation at intervals set forth in the applicable NFPA Standard.

City of Longmont Fire Services is committed to reaching full compliance with our fire code. In an effort to collaborate with the service providers who inspect, test, and maintain (ITM) fire protection systems, all contractor compliant and non-compliant system test reports will be required to submit this information electronically through our new web-based reporting system.

Additional information for contractors working with Inspection Reports Online (IROL):

• There is a $18.00 fee per submitted report. IROL offers additional fee options and we suggest taking the time to learn about their company, services and solutions.
• You must register to submit a report. Go to “Login” and set up a new account.
• Longmont Fire AHJ ID is: COA11476
• Users are able to track and update deficiencies and communicate with our staff and/or your customer or business/property owner directly through IROL at no additional cost.
• You are able to create and add unlimited users.Systems to be submitted:
  

  Initial System Commissioning	Annual Sprinkler (commercial only)
  Annual Fire Alarm	Annual Fire Pump
  Annual and Semi-Annual Hood Suppression	Annual 5-year Internal Pipe
  Semi-Annual Kitchen Hood Cleaning	5-year standpipe
  Annual Smoke Control System	Annual Clean Agent
  Annual Standpipe	Annual Emergency Radio
  Annual Fire Door	Declined Service (no cost)

  Please review the required submission time frames listed below;

• Clear/Compliant: Systems containing no deficiencies will be submitted within a 30-day time frame of when the inspection took place
• Deficient: Systems containing any deficiencies will be submitted within a 7-10 day time frame of when the inspection took place
• Critical: Upon any red tag/critical impairment, please call the fire department immediately at (303)651-8501. Once we are notified, please upload the information through IROL as soon as possible.To submit an inspection online to Inspection Reports Online (IROL).To contact Longmont Fire Services staff with questions, please email or call (303)651-8833.

SELECTING AND USING A FIRE EXTINGUISHER

• Fire Extinguisher Types 

• (Video) How to use a Fire Extinguisher
• (Video) Demonstration of Fire Extinguisher Use

 

Fire Extinguisher Annual Inspections and Maintenance

A certified fire extinguisher inspector from a licensed fire protection company needs to perform a full maintenance check once a year. This process ensures that the mechanical components of fire extinguisher are also inspected.

We recommend searching “fire extinguisher” either on the Internet for listed dealers in the Denver Metro area. We can not endorse a specific vendor. Longmont Fire does not “refill or service” fire extinguishers.

Here is a list of vendors which provide this service in the Denver Metro area. This list is NOT complete:

• Cintas, 1100 West 120th Avenue, Suite 500, Westminster. (720) 262-9433
• Front Range Fire Extinguisher, Brighton (303) 659- 7396 (do not service CO2 or Halon)
• Silver Fox Fire Protection, 3772 Eureka Way, Frederick (303) 915-6101
• Valley Fire Extinguisher, Inc., 1016 25th Avenue, Greeley (970-353-2278
• Western Fire Extinguisher, 1013 North 2nd Street, Johnstown (970)587-9000

 

DISPOSING OF AN OLD AND UNUSABLE FIRE EXTINGUISHER

The Longmont Fire Department does not accept fire extinguishers that need to be discarded.

Residents can dispose of fire extinguishers year round at CHARM (Eco-Cycle/City of Boulder Center for Hard to Recycle Materials)

• PLEASE DO NOT PLACE FIRE EXTINGUISHERS IN YOUR CITY OF LONGMONT CURBSIDE RECYCLING CONTAINER OR IN YOUR TRASH CONTAINER.
• The City of Longmont Waste Diversion Center does not accept fire extinguishers.

 

If you need additional information not covered on this page, you can email the Longmont Fire Department or call (303) 774-4471.

Targets: The self-inspection program will target businesses that are statistically at a lower risk for fire. Those are primarily occupancy classification types “M” (mercantile/retail sales), “B” (business and service types) and “S” (storage – nonhazardous). Examples include professional offices, retail stores, hair salons, florist shops, aircraft hangars, grocery stores, etc.

Program: The self-inspection program is a relatively simple concept. There are three parts to the process:

1. You may request that this be mailed to you by calling (303) 651-8437.
2. Complete the Self-Inspection form online.

 

NOTE: Self-Inspection Checklist submitted electronically will provide submitters an option to print out the completed form before submitting. Self-Inspection Checklist as a pdf can be faxed to (303)774-4682 and/or mailed to the LFD Codes and Planning Unit, 225 Kimbark Street, Longmont, CO 80501.

Eligible businesses will also have the option of an on-site inspection. To request an on-site inspection you may email the fire department or call (303)651-8437 to make this request.

Businesses wishing to participate in self-inspections have APPROXIMATELY 30 DAYS TO RESPOND FROM THE DATE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ISSUES THE NOTICE FOR INSPECTION.  After 30 days have passed, a follow-up contact from Fire Codes and Planning will occur.

Rotation: Businesses participating in the self-inspection program may do so for four years. On the 5th year, the fire department will conduct an on-site inspection to give the fire department the opportunity to become familiar with the structure, to observe operations at the business and evaluate the success of the self-inspection program.

Goals: The primary purpose of the self-inspection program is to provide a manner in which a low risk business may conduct a fire and life safety inspection of their own premises. We anticipate the program to make efficient use of time and resources for both business and the city.

History: There are over 4,000 businesses operating within the City of Longmont.Along with the Business Self-Inspection Program, six fire engine companies conduct inspections on a two-year rotation for target type businesses, and fire prevention personnel conducts annual inspections for high-hazard type businesses and educational facilities.

Objectives: Longmont Fire Services considers it essential for businesses to maintain a reasonable level of fire and life safety, even though a business may be classified as low-risk hazard occupancy. By defining the purpose of the program, imparting knowledge of code provisions and making use of standard forms, each business owner/manager should have a sense of fire and life safety expectations. Desired outcomes of self-inspections will not only identify areas of deficiency but should reveal commendable safety practices, too.

Please contact the Longmont Fire Codes and Planning Office at (303) 651-8833 or (303) 651-8426. You may also email for assistance.