Oldsmar Fire Dept. New Business Inspection Fees Jan. 1

Oldsmar businesses will see new fees for fire and life safety inspections starting Jan. 1, 2025. The City Council adopted Resolution 2024-41 to establish the schedule, which aims to cover the costs associated with essential inspections and community protection resources. These fees will fund ongoing inspections and necessary follow-up actions required by the Florida Fire Prevention Code.

City documents emphasize that these inspections are vital for protecting businesses, their employees, customers, and the wider community. The fee structure includes charges for initial inspections. Businesses with facilities larger than 10,000 square feet will face additional costs based on the extra square footage.

Re-inspections for non-compliance will incur higher fees: double the initial fee for a third visit and triple the initial fee for fourth and subsequent visits. This tiered approach incentivizes prompt adherence to fire safety regulations. Similar fee structures apply to multifamily structures, including apartments, condominiums, townhomes, hotels, and transient occupancies.

The new schedule also details fees for various plan reviews and related inspections. These cover disaster plans, certificates of occupancy, changes in occupancy, and inspections for fire alarm, fire sprinkler, and pre-engineered suppression systems. Fees for specialized inspections, such as underground fire infrastructure and fire pumps, are also outlined.

The Fire Department will continue its current inspection schedule and will offer guidance on required improvements. Businesses will receive invoices for applicable fees after their inspections. Additional fees apply for late report submissions: $5 for reports submitted more than 30 days late and $15 for those submitted more than 120 days late.

Specific fees are also set for special event inspections, including those for fireworks displays and mobile food vendors. Burn permits and new business tax receipt life safety inspections also fall under the new schedule. Consultations will remain free.

City officials urge business owners to ensure their facilities meet all fire safety regulations to prevent issues during inspections. The Fire Department will provide guidance on any necessary improvements.