Charles City to begin commercial fire inspections in February; inspections to emphasize education first

The Charles City County Board of Supervisors approved a plan Tuesday for the county fire marshal’s office to begin commercial fire inspections in February 2025, officials said.

Charles City County Fire Marshal Jimmy Johnson told the board the inspections will target commercial businesses and the structures that house them. “These inspections are not meant to go out and write up a lot of violations. This is more of an educational thing that that we do in the fire prevention office,” Johnson said.

Johnson listed inspection items that staff will check: functioning fire extinguishers, clear exits and pathways, electrical and equipment safety, safe storage of flammable materials, emergency lighting, commercial kitchen compliance, building address visibility and hydrant access where applicable.

He said the county currently inspects certain high-risk occupancies annually — high schools, an adult daycare and a tire recycler — and that staffing limits make annual inspections of every commercial property unlikely. Johnson estimated there are “over 100 businesses here” and said the department plans to rotate inspections, likely on a two‑year cycle, with two inspectors.

Johnson described an enforcement approach tied to violations: an initial written notice with time to correct, a possible closure if a life‑safety condition is found on reinspection, and, for repeated violations, potential summons to court or stop‑work orders. Home-based businesses will not be inspected unless the owner requests a safety inspection.

The board approved the fire-prevention compliance plan at the meeting.