City of Alexandria, Virginia
________________
MEMORANDUM
DATE: APRIL 9, 2026
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
THROUGH: JAMES F. PARAJON, CITY MANAGER
FROM: FELIPE HERNANDEZ, CHIEF, ALEXANDRIA FIRE DEPARTMENT
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Introduction and First Reading. Consideration of Passage on First Reading of an Ordinance to Amend Section 4- 2-21 (CHANGES IN VIRGINIA STATEWIDE FIRE PREVENTION CODE) of Article B (FIRE PREVENTION) of Chapter 2 (FIRE PROTECTION AND PREVENTION) of Title 4 (PUBLIC SAFETY) of the Code of the City of Alexandria, Virginia, 1981, as amended.
BODY
_________________________________________________________________
ISSUE: An Ordinance to revise the Fire Department Fire Prevention Permit Initial Inspection Fee and the Fire Protection and Detection Testing and Retesting fee.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council:
(1) Pass the proposed ordinance on first reading increasing the Fire Prevention Permit (FPP) Initial Inspection fees and the Fire Protection and Detection Testing and Retesting fee; and
(2) Schedule it for second reading, public hearing and final passage on April 29, 2026
BACKGROUND: This memorandum provides information regarding proposed Fire Department fee increases for FY 2027. The fee increases are projected to bring in an additional $418,338 in revenue for the City in FY 2027. The new fees will be effective July 1, 2026.
DISCUSSION: The proposed Fire Prevention Permit fee increase is included as part of the proposed FY 2027 Budget. The last adjustment to the Fire Prevention Permit fees was in FY 2019. The majority of the FPP fee adjustments are a 10% increase over the previous base fees. The exceptions include the consolidation of some fees and the reduction of others. This fee schedule adjustment will generate a projected total revenue of $317,000. The increase over the $300,000 FY 2026 budget is $17,000.
FPP inspections may be required both during the development and post-development phases of a project. FPP inspections may be required during development either at the beginning, end, or throughout the project for processes such as cutting and welding, hot work, asphalt kettles, and the storage and use of hazardous materials including, for example, temporary fuel tanks and propane cylinders on construction sites. FPP inspections required for post development work are normally maintenance-related and are required to maintain a specific use of a building (assembly or educational) or to regulate the storage and use of hazardous materials or hazardous processes.
While the attached ordinance document is voluminous, the only proposed changes in it compared to the current ordinance are the Fire Protection and Detection Testing and Retesting fees and the Fire Prevention (FPP) Initial Inspections fee table included in Attachment 1.
The last adjustment for the Fire Protection and Detection Testing and Retesting fee was included as a part of the FY 2021 Adopted Budget. At that time fees were increased to $162/hour from $132/hour previously, a 23% increase. For the FY 2027 budget, the proposal is an increase to $220/hour. An increase to $220 will generate a projected total revenue of $551,338 and an increase of $401,338 over the adopted revenue amount of $150,000.
The fee schedule is designed to uphold key principles of simplicity, equity, fairness, and responsiveness to market conditions, while ensuring that revenues sufficiently support the personnel resources required to deliver services. Although the proposed Fire Protection and Detection Testing and Retesting fee increase is modestly higher than that of neighboring jurisdictions (Arlington County - $200; Fairfax County - $208), it remains within a competitive regional range. It is also reasonable to anticipate that surrounding jurisdictions may adjust their fee structures in response to similar fiscal and operational considerations. The Fire Department will explore a gradual approach for future fee revisions.
FISCAL IMPACT: The combined impact of these two fee increases is $418,338 over the FY 2026 approved budget.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment 1: Ordinance Cover Page
Attachment 2: Ordinance with Fee Schedule
STAFF:
Yon Lambert, Deputy City Manager