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Council tightens fire access thresholds in subdivision and design codes
Summary
Smithfield reduced unit thresholds that trigger two fire accesses and updated design-code references so developers must provide two dedicated city roads rather than smaller 20-foot lanes in qualifying developments.
The Smithfield City Council unanimously approved code amendments Dec. 10 that lower the unit thresholds triggering requirements for two fire accesses and consolidate that change into the design standards.
Planning staff explained the municipal-code change reduces the multifamily threshold from 100 units to 50 units and lowers the single-family threshold from 30 units to 15 units for the requirement to provide two separate accesses for fire apparatus. The change moves the requirement into the municipal code and updates the design code to reference it, preventing future inconsistencies between the two sections.
Staff said the change is drawn in part from the International Fire Code and was developed with input from the city’s fire department. Council members asked whether the adjustments would increase developer costs; planning staff said the impact should be minimal and largely a timing/phasing issue as projects provide required access during platting and final plat phases.
Council voted to adopt Ordinance 2025-23 (municipal code change) and Ordinance 2025-22 (design standards reference) to implement the updates.
