City of Visalia Fire Department rates and fees
Presented by:
Visalia Fire
Fire inspection overview
Operational business safety inspections have been performed throughout our community for many years, with records dating back to the early 1990’s.
Operational permits are business processes that present increased hazards and require a more comprehensive inspection.
Last year there were 3,528 inspections performed throughout our community. These inspections include businesses, apartments, schools, hotels, hospitals etc.
There are currently three inspection fees currently billed through this process:
Operational business safety inspection: $29.93
Operational permit: $93.80 (max 3 per inspection)
Apartment inspection: $7.65 per unit (100-unit cap)
Fees
The current fee rates were established in 2010 and have been raised by CPI annually since FY 2013/2014.
When established it does not appear as though the operational business safety inspection fee fully accounted for personnel costs, particularly engine company staff.
Key structural changes
Single $82 fee simplifies billing
Max 3 operational permit fees per inspection
Remove apartment 100-unit cap
Fee type
Current
Proposed
Operational business inspection
$29.93
$82.00
Reinspection
$29.93
$82.00
Operational permit
$93.80
$82.00
Apartment (per unit)
$7.65
$12.09
Apartment cap
100-unit max
Remove cap
Fee calculation basis
$82 = Average cost of 3-person engine company for 15 minutes Same rate applied for:
Business inspections
Reinspections
Operational permits
Apartment fee based on:
30-minute triplex inspection
$36.28 inspector cost ÷ 3 units = $12.09 per unit
Important note
Fees do NOT include:
Travel time
Administrative support costs
Regional comparison
Visalia proposed fees remain competitive
Other cities range significantly higher:
Fire inspections up to $625
Reinspections up to $1,097
Benefits
Improved cost recovery
Streamlined billing process
Reduced staff administrative time
Visalia
Fresno
Tulare
Hanford
Fire inspection
$82.00
$144.00 -$625.00
$103.00
$149.00-$298.00
Reinspection
$82.00
$137 - $1,097
$103
$164 - $187
Operational permit
$82.00
$103
$108
Apartments (per unit)
$12.09
Flat rate $161 - $291
1 – 20 units $150
Fee comparison
Staff recommended motion
Move to adopt Resolution No. 2026-11 adopting the proposed fee schedule, including the removal of the fee cap specific to apartment complex inspections.
Thank
You!