A wall-mounted fire safety setup featuring printed evacuation plans with floor layouts, emergency exits, fire extinguisher locations, and escape route arrows. A red manual fire alarm call point with a transparent cover is positioned nearby, alongside a white circular smoke detector with ventilation slots and a central sensor.

Annual Operating Permit

Ensure your Building Meets Fire Safety and Compliance Standards for the Commonwealth

Annual Operating Permit

The State Fire Marshal's Office (SFMO) is authorized to collect annual permit fees for inspecting various occupancy classifications in areas without local fire marshal enforcement.

Red fire alarm pull station mounted on a hallway wall with 'FIRE' at the top and 'PUSH' and 'PULL' instructions. A green exit sign is faintly visible in the background Smoke Alarm in a Dorm

These fees are listed in section 107.14 of the Statewide Fire Prevention Code (SFPC).
The program is designed to help the SFMO recoup inspection costs and is not a replacement for the local building official's Certificate of Occupancy.
Permits issued by the SFMO are not applicable in localities with fire officials, and fees must be paid before permits are issued.

Occupancy Types

Night Clubs

Any building or portion thereof in which the main use is a place of public assembly that provides exhibition, performance, or other forms of entertainment; serves alcoholic beverages; and provides music and space for dancing.

$350 for an occupant load of 100 or less.
$450 for an occupant load of 101 to 200.
$500 for an occupant load of 201 to 300.
$500 plus $50 for each 50 occupants where occupant loads exceed 300.

Private Colleges Dorms and Private University Dorms

Private Colleges Dorms and Private University Dorms, with or without assembly areas. If containing assembly areas, such assembly areas are not included in the computation of square footage.

$150 for up to 3500 square feet.
$200 for greater than 3500 square feet up to 7000 square feet.
$250 for greater than 7000 square feet up to 10,000 square feet.
$250 plus $50 for each additional 3000 square feet where square footage exceeds 10,000.

Private Hospitals

Private Hospitals are an acute care hospital that is privately owned and operated, unlike a public hospital, which is government-funded and owned.

$300 for 1 to 50 beds.
$400 for 51 to 100 beds.
$500 for 101 to 150 beds.
$600 for 151 to 200 beds.
$600 plus $100 for each additional 100 beds where the number of beds exceeds 200.

Facilities

Facilities licensed by the Virginia Department of Social Services based on licensed capacity as follows:

$50 for 1 to 8.
$75 for 9 to 20.
$100 for 21 to 50.
$200 for 51 to 100.
$300 for 101 to 150.
$400 for 151 to 200.
$500 for 201 or more

Contact Us

For more details or assistance regarding Annual Operating Permits, please contact the State Fire Marshal Office at statefiremarshal@vdfp.virginia.gov or 804-371-0220.