Arlington adopts ordinance tightening residential sprinkler triggers after staff presentation

The Town of Arlington Board of Mayor and Aldermen unanimously approved Ordinance 2025-02 on Aug. 4, 2025, amending Title 7, Section 7-205 of the municipal code to add triggers that can require automatic sprinkler systems in one- and two-family homes.

Town Planner Jeremy Credeur and Fire Chief Harvill introduced the ordinance and Angela Reeder, executive assistant, presented staff findings and the text of Exhibit A. Reeder said the ordinance adds two primary triggers: one tied to a practical 300-foot distance for hand-carrying a supply line and to homes roughly 2,000 square feet (which staff said is the maximum home size a four-person crew can manage during a structure fire), and a second tied to homes located more than 500 feet from a hydrant capable of supplying minimum fire flow. Reeder said those distances were chosen to reflect firefighting operational limits and to focus requirements on life-safety risks rather than every new construction.

A public hearing on the second and final reading was opened after proper notice; no members of the public spoke. Chief Harvill and several subject-matter presenters reinforced staff testimony, telling the board that "sprinklers save lives" and emphasizing escape time and response-minute calculations as the rationale for the change. Board members asked about costs to homeowners and whether larger lot sizes and southern growth patterns near I‑40 would be affected; staff said the ordinance is intended to target life-safety scenarios rather than routine remodeling.

Alderman Oscar Brooks moved to approve the ordinance on second and final reading; Alderman Dwight Barker seconded the motion. The board voted to adopt Ordinance 2025-02; the motion carried unanimously. The minutes do not specify the ordinance’s effective date.