Fire Prevention & Life Safety
Fire Prevention & Life Safety works to reduce the risk of fire, injury, and property loss in Belmont, Foster City, and San Mateo by enforcing all applicable state and local fire codes and standards.
The division is responsible for:
- Plan review and development. Reviewing construction plans, planning applications, and new development proposals for fire and life safety requirements, including alternate means and methods requests, and working with architects and developers early in project design.
- Fire and life safety inspections. Conducting routine inspections of businesses and multi-family housing, state-mandated inspections including schools and state-licensed facilities, new construction inspections, and wildland urban interface inspections.
- Fire protection systems. Reviewing third-party inspection, testing, and maintenance reports for fire sprinkler systems, fire alarm systems, and other fire protection equipment.
- Fire permits. Issuing operational, temporary, and special event permits, including tent and canopy inspections.
- Fire investigation. Determining the origin and cause of fires, investigating suspected arson, and providing youth firesetter intervention.
- Community education and partnership. Delivering public education programs and coordinating with the Police Department, Public Works, Building Departments, and other partner agencies.
Our full-time fire inspectors are certified by the California State Fire Marshal and are cross-trained in both fire inspections and investigations.
Meet Our Fire Prevention Staff
Contact Fire Prevention & Life Safety
The fastest way to reach us is by phone or email. Most questions can be answered without a visit to our office.
Phone: (650) 522-7940
Email: prevention@smcfire.ca.gov
Over-the-Counter Plan Review
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Office of Fire Prevention
2121 S. El Camino Real, Bldg. B, Suite 100, San Mateo, CA 94403
Office hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., excluding holidays.
Submit fire plans for review?
Submit plans electronically with a completed Plan Check Application. See Plan Submittals for instructions.
Over-the-counter review is available Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Schedule a construction inspection?
Call (650) 522-7940 or email prevention@smcfire.ca.gov with the project address and permit number. Inspections are scheduled in morning or afternoon windows.
Apply for a fire operational permit?
Call (650) 522-7940 or email prevention@smcfire.ca.gov to request a fire operational permit. Please describe the activity, the property address, and the dates involved. Most fire operational permits require an inspection before the permit is issued. Requests may also be made in person at the Office of Fire Prevention during office hours.
Get help for a child who has been setting fires?
Fire Prevention & Life Safety provides youth firesetter intervention. Call (650) 522-7940 or email
prevention@smcfire.ca.gov.
Report a fire hazard?
Submit the Report a Fire Hazard form. If a hazard poses an immediate danger to life or property, call 911.
Request a copy of a fire or investigation report?
Fire and investigation reports are released through a public records request. See our Frequently Asked Questions for the request form.
Look up a fee?
See the Master Fee Schedule.
Order or update a Knox box?
See Knox Box Information.
Find out whether my property is in a Fire Hazard Severity Zone?
See Fire Hazard Severity Zones for the San Mateo and Belmont maps. Foster City is not within a designated zone.
Submitting Fire Plans
Fire plans for Belmont, Foster City, and San Mateo are submitted electronically. Applicants must include a completed Plan Check Application with the plan set.
See Plan Submittals for full instructions, including required subject line information and the Plan Check Application form.
Over-the-counter (OTC) reviews are conducted at the Office of Fire Prevention, 2121 S. El Camino Real, Bldg. B, Suite 100, San Mateo, CA 94403, on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. For questions, please call (650) 522-7940.
Construction Inspections
To schedule a construction inspection, call (650) 522-7940 or email prevention@smcfire.ca.gov. Please have the project address and permit number ready. Requests may also be made in person at the Office of Fire Prevention during office hours.
Inspections are scheduled in morning or afternoon windows rather than at a specific time. Morning inspections occur between 7:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. Afternoon inspections occur between 12:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Please indicate which window you are requesting.
