The City of Oceanside has adopted a program to improve our annual fire and life safety inspections at all properties containing three or more dwelling units, hotels, motels, lodging houses, bed and breakfast facilities, and congregate residences. The Fire Department considers fire and life safety inspections at these types of occupancies to be a benefit to the owners/operators, their tenant and guests.

How can I prepare for my inspection?  What will the inspector look for?

View our Annual Inspection Guideline.

Are these inspections required?

Yes. These inspections must be conducted annually for all properties containing three or more dwelling units, hotels, motels, lodging houses, bed and breakfast facilities, and congregate residences. The California Health and Safety Code, Section 13146.2 (a) mandates that the inspections be completed annually while the California Health and Safety Code, Section 13146.2 (b) provides the City legal authority to charge property owners to recover reasonable costs for providing these annual inspections.

When will my property be inspected?

Your property will be inspected annually, one year from the previous compliant inspection. Inspections will be conducted by Fire Prevention Inspectors Monday through Friday during the hours of 8:00 am and 5:00 pm. The goal is to have each property inspected at approximately the same time of year.

What is the inspection process?

An initial inspection will be conducted by a Fire Inspector. At the conclusion of the inspection a report detailing any violations that need correction will be e-mailed to the property owner.  The report and invoice will be mailed via US Postal Service shortly after. Violations shall be promptly corrected by the property owner or their representative. A first re-inspection will be conducted on or after 30 days of the initial inspection. If violations still exist, additional re-inspections will be required and additional inspection fees will be charged.

What if I don't understand the violations?

You can reply to the e-mailed report, or email OFDfireprevention@oceansideca.org. 

How much does this cost?

The fees vary according to the time required to complete the inspection and reflect the fee needed to recover the costs of the inspection.

View our Community Risk Reduction Fees

Will the inspector enter individual units?

Generally, inspectors will not examine the interior of units. However, if a renter is home, they may request the inspector check their smoke detectors. Inspectors may check smoke detectors in vacant units if the owner or manager is present and gives consent.

Construction Inspections

The Community Risk Reduction Division conducts field inspections to ensure that the project is in compliance with all NFPA Standards, California Fire Codes and City of Oceanside Ordinances. It shall be the responsibility of the owner or licensed contractor to notify the Fire Department when the work is ready for inspection. All work shall be accessible at all times and not be covered or concealed for the Fire Inspector during the inspection.

How to Schedule a Fire Inspection

Please schedule fire inspections at least 48 hours in advance.

Request Online here.

The following information must be provided when scheduling a fire inspection:

• Permit number
• Project address
• Type of inspection you are scheduling
• Project/site contact and phone number

NOTE: The licensed contractor is required to be present at all inspections along with the approved plans and permit card onsite.

Common Inspections & Information

Fire Sprinkler Systems:

• Piping shall be hydrostatically tested at 200 psi for 2 hours.
• Final fire sprinkler inspection walkthrough along with the testing of waterflow devices and main drain pressure test.
• A Contractor’s Material and Test Certificate for Aboveground Piping shall be submitted to the Fire Department.

Fire Alarm Systems:

• Prewire inspection; all mounting boxes are on walls or ceilings and installed at proper heights along with proper gauge and type of wire.
• Contractor’s Statement of Compliant Installation via email.
• When required, 24-hour battery test; which includes the removal of the main power for 24 hours, the activation of the fire alarm system shall continuously sound for 5 minutes or 15 minutes for voice evacuation systems.
• Acceptance testing on all devices shall be completed. The Fire Department may require a full pretest of the system and the reporting documentation to the monitoring company shall be submitted prior to the scheduling of the final inspection.
• A System Record of Completion shall be filled out and submitted to the Fire Department at final inspection.

Private Underground Service Mains:

• Pre-pour thrust block inspection; thrust block excavation shall be completed with pipe installed.
• Hydrostatic test; all piping shall be tested at 200 psi (or 50 psi over static pressure) and maintain that pressure +/- 5 psi for 2 hours. All thrust blocks shall be visible for inspection during the hydrostatic test.
• Final inspection; all piping including the fire hydrants shall be completely flushed until water flow is verified to be clear of debris.
• A Contractor’s Material and Test Certificate for Underground Piping shall be submitted to the Fire Department at final inspection.

Brand new NFPA 13R and NFPA 13 fire sprinkler systems (Or significant modification to existing systems):

Paperwork Required: Contractor’s Material and Test Certificate for Aboveground Piping.

Reference Location: 2025 NFPA 13, Figure A.29.1 & 2025 NFPA 13R Figure A.10.1.2

This is to be collected at the final inspection. 

Brand new private fire mains, serving a fire sprinkler system and/or private fire hydrants:

Paperwork Required: Contractor’s Material and Test Certificate for Underground Piping.

Reference Location: 2025 NFPA 24, Figure 10.10.1.1

This is to be collected at the final inspection.

Brand new standpipe system: 

Paperwork Required: Contractor's Material and Test Certificate For Aboveground Piping: Standpipe System NFPA 14

Reference Location: 2024 NFPA 14, Figure 12.1.2

This is to be collected at the final inspection. 

Brand new fire alarm systems:

PRIOR to scheduling a final inspection:

Written Statement of Completion 

• Contractor’s Statement of Compliant Installation: Before requesting final approval of the installation, the installing contractor shall furnish a written statement stating that the system has been installed in accordance with approved plans and tested in accordance with the manufacturer’s published instructions and the appropriate NFPA requirements and email to OFDfireprevention@oceansideca.org.

Reference location: 2025 NFPA 72, Section 7.5.2

Paperwork required: System Record of Completion

Reference Location: 2025 NFPA 72, Figure 7.8.2(a)

System Record of Completion is to be collected at the final inspection. 

Any new or remodeled Kitchen Suppression system (Hood systems):

Paperwork required: Wet Chemical Acceptance Test Report

Reference Location: 2024 NFPA 17A, Figure A.7.4.10.3

Wet Chemical System Acceptance Test Report needs to be collected at the final inspection. 

 Any new Dry Chemical Suppression System:

Reference 2024 NFPA 17: Standard for Dry Chemical Extinguishing Systems. 

Document Location: Figure A.10.4.6

Dry Chemical System Acceptance Test Report needs to be collected at the final inspection. 

 Any new Clean Agent Suppression System:

Reference 2022 NFPA 2001: Standard for Clean Agent Fire Extinguishing Systems. 

Document Location: Figure A.10.3.1

Clean Agent Fire Extinguishing System Acceptance Test Report needs to be collected at the final inspection. 

Emergency Responder Communications Enhancement Systems:

Paperwork Required: Acceptance test procedure, also known as the grid test.

Reference Location: 2025 CFC Section 510.5.4

This will need to be submitted PRIOR to scheduling final. 

California Civil Code Section 1102.19 Requirement

Assembly Bill 38 established that, as of July 1, 2021, California Civil Code Section 1102.19 requires a seller of real property located in a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone to provide the buyer with documentation stating the property is in compliance with defensible space requirements. This inspection will follow the Fire Department Fee Schedule. View the list of Low Cost Retrofits from the Office of the State Fire Marshal.

Verify if the property is in the High Fire Hazard Severity Zone:

Fire Hazard Severity Zone Viewer

If your property is not located in the High or Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone, do not complete this form.

Complete the link below to request a Real Estate Defensible Space Inspection:

Real Estate Defensible Space Inspections