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Tenino council discusses $150 fire-inspection fee and adopting updated International Fire Code
Summary
Council discussed a possible $150 fee for required business fire inspections and staff recommendation to adopt the latest International Fire Code; no vote was taken and staff will return with details on what would change and cost estimates.
Council members discussed a staff suggestion to charge businesses $150 for periodic fire inspections, citing the city’s current code requiring inspections but not specifying a fee; the city has contracted inspections after losing an in-house inspector and needs to determine how to recover inspection costs.
Unidentified Speaker 1 said the city’s code requires an initial fire inspection for businesses and inspections on license renewal but currently indicates no fee. Council members said a $150 fee could be burdensome for small businesses and asked staff to determine how many businesses would be affected and to provide cost estimates. Several members suggested training a local firefighter for basic inspections to reduce contracted costs; the fire marshal is expected to provide recommendations.
Separately, the fire marshal recommended adoption of the latest International Fire Code (IFC) and removal of superseded local language. Speaker 1 said the council is likely required by state action to adopt updated codes but requested a clear list of what portions would be removed or changed before any formal vote. No ordinance or fee was adopted at the meeting; the subject will return to the council with more information.
