Frequently Asked Questions

In 1994, Fire Prevention started a Building Safety Education Program (BSEP) to inspect all commercial establishments in the City of Steamboat Springs to maintain a fire safe community by minimizing life and property loss in the City of Steamboat Springs and the Steamboat Springs Fire Protection District through education and prevention. 

The program has three simple goals: 

1. To accomplish safety and code compliance through awareness and education. 
2. Strive for cooperation and reasonable compliance. 
3. To empower building owners/managers to maintain fire-safe buildings for their employees and the public alike. 

Fire Inspectors will perform fire code inspections for a liquor license or marijuana license annually. Fire code inspections for any other commercial building will be done by request, complaint or as permitted. 

Pre-Inspection Guidelines have been prepared to assist with understanding the requirements.  The Fire Inspector utilizes the Fire Code Inspection Report, and a copy will be provided for your records.  A list of common violations and the fire codes have also been prepared.  Additional forms may be accessed and downloaded under the Downloadable Permits and Forms. 

A permit from Fire Prevention Services is required if you are installing, adding to or modifying, a fire alarm system, sprinkler system, commercial kitchen hood system or for special activities such as recreational burning, tents and canopies, fireworks, blasting and open flame.  Recreational burning of any type within the city limits and in the Steamboat Springs Rural Fire Protection District (SSRFPD) requires a permit from Fire Prevention Services. This includes recreational fires conducted in store-bought fire appliances. Gas and/or charcoal barbecue grills do not require permits. The permit process allows the Fire Inspector to visually inspect the apparatus to be used for burning as well as the surrounding area. The inspection is done for safety purposes. 

At this time in the city, permits are only being issued for recreational burning in approved fire pits. In the SSRFPD, recreational and open burning is allowed with appropriate permits. In addition, once a permit is issued, it can be revoked if you are burning outside the scope of the permit and/or in an unsafe manner. A $25.00 permit fee applies, and the permit is good for a six-month period from the date of issuance. Commercial Use Tents over 400 square feet within the city limits and in the SSRFPD require a permit and inspection from Fire Prevention Services. The permit fee varies based on the size of the tent or canopy. 

The 2021 International Fire Code Adoption provides additional information concerning permit fees. Fireworks (display and/or retail), explosives and/or blasting performed within city limits and in the SSRFPD require a permit.   Specific forms may be accessed and downloaded under the Downloadable Permits and Forms. 

Permits may be obtained from Fire Prevention Services at the Mountain Fire Station, 2600 Pine Grove Road, Steamboat Springs, or downloaded from the website. Permits will be reviewed and approved by Fire Prevention Services and for additional information, contact Fire Technician, Shannon Yaconiello at 970.871.8216 or email Shannon Yaconiello.  

The permit fees for fire alarms, sprinklers and commercial kitchen hood systems are based upon valuation. Special activity permit fees are based upon the activity. 

• Permit Application & Fees (PDF)
• Permit Fee Calculator (PDF)
• Special Activity Permit Fee Schedule (PDF)

Specific forms may be accessed and downloaded under the Downloadable Permits and Forms.

To schedule an inspection, contact Fire Technician, Shannon Yaconiello at 970-871-8216 or by email.  When requesting an inspection by email or phone, the following information is required.

• Company's name
• Contact person 
• Phone number
• Job name
• Fire prevention permit number
• Type of inspection requested
• Date requested

Note that inspections require 48 hours advance notice. More complex inspections that will take more than 2 hours, require one week advance notice. Inspections are performed on a first-come, first-served basis; however, Steamboat Springs Fire Rescue will do its best to fulfill your request.

No. The building permit does not include the fire alarm system, sprinkler system or hood system. Those elements require a separate permit issued by Fire Prevention Services. 

Please view Plans and Permit Policy here. You can look at and download these and additional forms by clicking on our “Downloadable Permits and Forms” page.

Construction:

1. Pit must be buried at least 8 inches deep in the ground. 
2. The diameter of the pit shall be no more than 3 feet. 
3. Must be constructed of brick, concrete or steel. Rock is accepted as long as there is not an air gap between the rocks. The gaps must be filled with concrete. 
4. A lip of 6 inches must be above ground using any of the construction materials listed above. 

Inspection: 

1. Fire pits must be inspected by Fire Prevention Services after construction is complete and prior to burning. 
2. Download a fire pit permit and see what the inspector will be looking for.

Notification: 

1. Routt County Dispatch should be notified at 970-879-1110 before and after each burn. 

An alternative to building your own fire/barbecue pit is to purchase an approved fire ring or fire pit.