Phoenix Council Considers New Fire Code Permits, Higher Fees | The Locally Times
Phoenix proposed new operational permits and fee increases for businesses, including a $45 per hour rise for inspection services, effective January 18, 2026.
The City of Phoenix intends to establish new fees and permit requirements under the proposed 2024 Phoenix Fire Code. These changes, detailed in public notices from the Phoenix Community and Economic Development department, include the introduction of new operational permits and increased hourly rates for plan review and inspection services. The Phoenix City Council was scheduled to consider these proposals at a formal meeting on December 17, 2025, with a proposed effective date for the new and increased fees on or after January 18, 2026. ## New Permits and Increased Service Costs The adoption of the 2024 Phoenix Fire Code will introduce new operational permits and associated fees. The city states these additions aim to enhance community risk reduction efforts, according to public notices dated December 1, 2025, and October 17, 2025. The notices specify that these fees are prescribed under Phoenix City Code Chapter 15, Appendix A, which governs Fire Prevention Code. Beyond new permits, the city proposes an increase to user fees for plan review and inspection services provided by both the Planning & Development Department (PDD) and the Phoenix Fire Department (PFD). The current hourly rate for these services, set at $150 per hour, would increase to up to $195 per hour. Records show the PDD's hourly rate was last updated in 2010, and the PFD's rate in 2013. The public notices indicate these proposed increases are necessary to cover annual operating expenses at current service levels. Businesses that use or store hazardous materials in quantities requiring a permit also face increased costs. The Hazardous Material Annual Assessment fee, last updated in 2003, is proposed for an increase. The City of Phoenix intends to adjust these annual assessment fees commensurate with inflation to cover annual operating expenses for the Fire Department’s Special Hazards Annual Assessment Program. This program recovers direct costs for its Special Hazards Unit through these fees, which also cover related operational permits for hazardous materials. These fees are listed in the Fire Prevention Fee Schedule under Chapter 15, Fire Prevention Code, Appendix A, as detailed in the public notices. The notices also state that these fees support the Phoenix Fire Department's Fire Prevention Section's ability to manage community and development sector appeals to the Fire Marshal and provide consultation opportunities. ## Council Consideration and Implementation Timeline The Phoenix City Council was scheduled to hold a formal meeting on December 17, 2025, at 2:30 p.m. in the Phoenix City Council Chambers, located at 200 West Jefferson Street, Phoenix, AZ 85007, to consider these proposed fee changes. Residents and businesses could view the meeting virtually via phoenix.gov/phxtv, as stated in public notices from December 1, 2025, and October 17, 2025. The proposed effective date for the new and increased fees is on or after January 18, 2026. The public notices direct inquiries regarding PDD fees to Michelle Price, Accountant IV, at the Planning and Development Department, reachable at (602) 495-0243. For Fire Fees, inquiries can be directed to Eric Williams, Assistant Fire Marshal, at the Phoenix Fire Department, reachable at (602) 206-5120. ## Unspecified Details and Potential Business Impact While the City of Phoenix has provided notice of its intent to implement new permits and increased fees, several details remain unspecified in the public documents. The notices do not specify the exact types of new operational permits that the 2024 Fire Code will require. Furthermore, the precise fee amounts for these new permits are not publicly available in the provided notices. The documents state that the hourly rate for plan review and inspection services could increase "up to $195 per hour," but do not specify the exact approved rate. Similarly, the specific new amounts for the Hazardous Material Annual Assessment fees are not detailed, beyond the statement that they would be adjusted commensurate with inflation. The public notices do not identify which specific businesses or industries will experience the most significant impact from these new permits and increased fees. No city-wide projections for additional revenue from these changes are included in the provided documents. The records also do not outline specific safety incidents or data that directly prompted the need for these new permits and code updates, beyond the general aim to enhance community risk reduction efforts. Businesses operating in Phoenix will need to monitor further city council actions and departmental announcements to understand the full scope and financial implications of the 2024 Phoenix Fire Code and its associated fee changes. The public notices provide contact information for department personnel for those seeking more details.