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
For San Mateo, 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.
If the project is in Foster City or Belmont, you may click on the following links to submit your plans:
For Foster City - https://permit.fostercity.org/etrakit/
For Belmont - https://www.belmont.gov/departments/permit-center
To schedule an inspection please call (650) 522-7940, or email the following information to prevention@smcfire.ca.gov:
Name, Number, Permit Number , Project Address, Type of Inspection, Date Requested , On-site Contact Name + Phone Number, and Time Window ( AM or PM).
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.
OR
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.
Fire Prevention & Life Safety is currently redeveloping its Youth Firesetter Intervention Program, which will include youth firesetter evaluations, education, and resources for youth and families.
Depending on the circumstances, families may be connected with community resources and partner agencies that can provide additional support.
- Safe School Coalition – About – Coalition for Safe Schools and Communities
- Level 2 Threat Assessment Team – Student Threat Assessment – Coalition for Safe Schools and Communities
- PAL Prevention – Prevention – San Mateo PAL
For questions or assistance, please call (650) 522-7940 or email prevention@smcfire.ca.gov.
Submit the Report a Fire Hazard form. If a hazard poses an immediate danger to life or property, call 911.
To report a non-emergency fire hazard, call (650) 368-1421.
San Mateo Consolidated Fire Department investigates reported fire hazards only within the cities we serve: Belmont, Foster City, and San Mateo.
If you are concerned about overgrown vegetation, weeds, brush, or other potential fire hazards, please report a fire hazard for our review. Our team will evaluate the reported area and determine if follow-up is needed.
Fire and investigation reports are released through a public records request.
See the Master Fee Schedule.
To order Knox products, please visit the Knox website here.
For additional information about Knox Box requirements, ordering, and approval, please see our Knox Box Information page.
See Fire Hazard Severity Zones for the San Mateo and Belmont maps. Foster City is not within a designated zone.
To apply for a Photovoltaic (Solar PV) or Energy Storage System (ESS) permit, please visit the website for the city where the work is being performed:
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.
