Fire Permits & Inspections
Permits
The Rochester Fire Marshal's Office offers online permitting through the Citizen Access portal. Contact us at 507-328-2056 with any questions.
Citizen Access Permitting Portal Link
Construction Permits are issued to contractors of all new installations, modifications, or repairs of systems and equipment as required under city ordinance and section 105.7 of the fire code.
- Area of Refuge
- Auto Extinguishing System
- Fire Alarm System
- Emergency Responder Radio Coverage
- Fire Pump
- Fire Sprinkler System
- Flammable or Combustible Liquid Tanks
- Hazardous Materials
- Liquefied Propane Tank
- Spraying and Dipping Booth
- Standpipe System
Application for these permits can be made through Citizen Access Permitting Portal.
Operational Permits are required under City ordinance and Fire Code for various business activities. Through inspections of properties, these permitted activities are identified for permit issuance. Multiple permit types can be included in a single permit that renews annually.
Permit applications are made through Citizen Access permitting portal.
Contact us at 507-328-2056 to learn more.
Firework Sales & Pyrotechnic Displays
Fireworks and pyrotechnic displays shall be limited to those intended specifically for public viewing outdoors and as are permitted pursuant to Minn. Stats. § 624.20 and chapter 56 of the fire code. Indoor pyrotechnic displays are permitted only in buildings protected throughout by an approved automatic fire sprinkler system. Public fireworks and pyrotechnic displays require application to the city for approval and, in conjunction with a fire department operational permit, as specified in section 8-2-6, prior to conducting the display. An application can be made through the Citizen Access permitting portal.
The sale of Fireworks also requires a permit. An application can also be made through the Citizen Access permitting portal. Should sales occur in a tent or membrane structure, an additional permit would be required. See Temporary Tent and Membrane Structure Permits
Mobile Food Unit Permit Application
Mobile Food Units that include any cooking operations that produce grease-laden vapors or smoke will require a permit and inspection by the Rochester Fire Department.
Non-recreational open burning is not allowed in Rochester, unless a permit is obtained.
- Apply for a burn permit inside Rochester City Limits
For outside Rochester city limits, the Department of Natural Resources offers online open burning permit services.
Temporary Tent and Membrane Structure Permits
Tents and membrane structures having an area in excess of 400 square feet (37 m2 ) shall not be erected, operated or maintained for any purpose without first obtaining a permit and approval from the Rochester Fire Department.
Permits can be obtained through Citizen Access Permiting Portal.
Additional Information
The Compliance Engine is a web-based service used by the Fire Marshal's Office to track and maintain code compliance. It is also used to reduce false alarm activity, and provide safer communities through third party inspection reporting and maintenance.
The City of Rochester partnered with Brycer,LLC & The Compliance Engine in April 2014. All compliant & non-compliant fire protection systems and containment backflow assembly test reports are required to be sent to The City of Rochester. These should be sent electronically by your respective testing/maintenance provider via The Compliance Engine's online system.
- New User: For an overview of the program, visit The Compliance Engine website and watch the Third Party Inspection Reporting video.
- Register for Online Trianing: Online Training is offered twice a week, Wednesday & Friday at 10:00 AM CST
- User Login
Contact the Rochester Fire Marshal's Office with questions at 507-328-2056 or by Email.
Contact Us
Connect with City Services
Whether you have a question, need to report a concern or aren’t sure which department to contact, 311 connects you with the right team quickly and efficiently.