Sedgwick County adopts 2025 fire code incorporating 2024 International Fire Code with local amendments

Sedgwick County commissioners voted unanimously Jan. 8 to adopt the Sedgwick County Fire Code 2025 edition, which incorporates the 2024 International Fire Code and a package of local amendments recommended by Sedgwick County Fire District 1.

The code, presented by Fire Marshal Brad Crisp, updates the county’s fire-safety standards and includes 85 local amendments, Crisp said. “This new code does provide for adequate fire protection, public safety, public health and public welfare,” Crisp told the commission.

Why it matters: The changes formalize countywide fire-safety expectations and update inspection and permitting rules in unincorporated areas. Some amendments impose new or larger fees on projects outside the Fire District 1 taxing boundary to cover work the district performs for jurisdictions that do not pay its mill levy.

Key details — what commissioners approved - The resolution adopts the Sedgwick County Fire Code 2025 edition, which incorporates the 2024 International Fire Code and the district’s proposed amendments. - The fire marshal’s package includes 85 amendments: many clarify existing rules, some reduce restrictions, and some increase restrictions in specific areas (Crisp said 14 are more restrictive). - Fee changes: permit and plan-review fees for locations outside the Fire District 1 taxing boundary would be doubled in some cases (examples in presentation: a service-drive inspection from $75 to $150; a $100,000 plan review from $120 to $240), a change the fire marshal said is intended to fairly distribute costs because those property owners do not pay the fire district mill levy. - Safety-focused amendments include a requirement to maintain exterior riser rooms at or above 40°F to prevent freezing, larger required egress windows (changing from 30x30 inches to 30x48 inches in some cases), larger signage lettering for fire department connections (from 1 inch to 4 inches high), and a 500-foot separation guideline for parking hazardous materials near populated or residential areas. - For certain rural assembly uses (for example, wedding venues without sprinklers), the county is requiring a third exit and a manual fire alarm system where a sprinkler system is not feasible.

Discussion and concerns Commissioner Jim Howell and others said they had reviewed the package in advance. Commissioner Jim Howe said he is generally “fairly anti-regulation” but supported adoption as a reasonable update, adding that he wanted ongoing vigilance to avoid unnecessary burdens. Howe told the meeting: “I am going to vote for this today” while urging future review for regulatory creep.

County Counselor Justin Wagner clarified a drafting inconsistency in the staff materials, saying the adopted code should be titled “Sedgwick County Fire Code 2025 edition” (the materials also referenced the 2024 edition).

Vote and next steps The commission approved the resolution by roll call (aye votes from Commissioners Pete Meitzner, David Dennis, Jim Howe, Sarah Lopez and Chairman Ryan Beatty). Fire District staff will submit the adopted code to the State Fire Marshal’s office and work with affected stakeholders to implement the fee and permit changes.

Local context Crisp said the package was developed with input from MABCD (Metropolitan Area Building and Construction Department), the Board of Code Standards and Appeals, Wichita Fire Department, Derby and representatives of the building trades. He noted that the steering council representing small cities in the county also reviewed the changes. Crisp said some industry groups had requested more time to review fees before implementation.

Ending The county’s adoption moves local fire-safety rules to the most recent model code cycle and establishes implementation steps for the Fire District to coordinate with municipalities and stakeholders.