When You Need
a Permit in San Bernardino
San Bernardino enforces the currently adopted California Building Code (CBC) and California Fire Code (CFC), with fire plan review handled by the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District under its own Standard S-1 for High Pile Combustible Storage. The city's building permit and the county fire district's high pile review are two separate submittals to two separate agencies — a distinction that catches many incoming warehouse operators.
| Permit Type | Trigger | Authority |
|---|---|---|
| Building Permit | Racking over 5'9" in height, OR any racking anchored to the slab regardless of height | San Bernardino Building & Safety (909) 384-5071 |
| Fire / High Pile Permit | Top-of-load exceeds 12 feet for standard commodities, OR 6 feet for high-hazard commodities (Group A plastics, rubber tires, aerosols, idle pallets), AND storage area exceeds 500 sq ft | San Bernardino County Fire Community Safety Division: (909) 386-8400 |
| No Permit Required | Racking under 5'9" that is not anchored to the slab — per CBC §105.2, Item 13 | Exemption only applies to nonfixed, movable racking |
Top-of-Load Height
vs. Rack Height
The fire code threshold is based on top-of-load height — the highest point your stored product reaches, including the pallet. This is not the same as rack height or upright height.
A facility can have 20-foot rack uprights but keep top-of-load at 11 feet — and avoid the high pile fire permit entirely for standard commodities. Conversely, a facility can have 14-foot uprights with product stacked to 12'1" and immediately trigger the requirement.
This distinction matters enormously for how you configure your racking system from day one — and it's the most common compliance gap we see across San Bernardino's Alliance California / former Norton corridor and the Interstate 10 and 215 distribution market.
Group A Plastics — The 6-Foot Rule
If you store products with synthetic materials — athletic footwear, consumer electronics, plastic packaging, foam products, or similar goods — your commodity may classify as Group A plastics under NFPA 13. The high pile fire permit threshold for Group A plastics drops to 6 feet of top-of-load height, not 12 feet. Most warehouses storing these goods are unaware their current sprinkler system may be inadequate for rack storage above that height.
Building Dept vs.
Fire Department
In San Bernardino, the City Building & Safety Division reviews the structural side while the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District's Community Safety Division reviews high pile life safety under Standard S-1. These are two different agencies with two different submittals — clearing one does not clear the other.
Structural Review
- Slab PSI and anchor adequacy
- Seismic load calculations (CBC §1613)
- Rack engineering drawings (ANSI MH16.1)
- Frame and beam load ratings
- Base plate and anchor specifications
- CAD layout with aisle widths and dimensions
Life Safety Review
- Top-of-load height verification
- Commodity classification (CFC Chapter 32)
- Sprinkler system adequacy (NFPA 13)
- Transverse and longitudinal flue spaces
- Aisle width and fire department access
- High pile storage signage requirements
What to Expect
in San Bernardino
Pre-Project Assessment
Walk the facility and establish top-of-load height, commodity classification, existing sprinkler design density (from the riser placard), and slab PSI. These four data points determine which permits are required before a single drawing is started.
Engineering Package
A licensed engineer prepares stamped CAD drawings, seismic calculations per CBC §1613 and ASCE-7, anchor details, and rack load ratings per ANSI MH16.1. San Bernardino sits near the convergence of the San Andreas and San Jacinto fault systems in one of the highest seismic design categories in the state — this step is mandatory, not optional.
Dual Submission
The county fire district requires all plans to be submitted electronically through the County's EZOP Online Permitting Portal. High pile plan review applies to any storage of 500 square feet or greater of Class I–IV commodities, and any quantity of high-hazard commodities. San Bernardino County Fire Standard S-1 governs the specifics — pull it before you draw. The city building permit is a separate submittal to San Bernardino Building & Safety.
Plan Review and Corrections
The San Bernardino County Fire Protection District publishes a plan-check turnaround goal of 15 working days after payment is received, and reviews independently of the city building permit. Because two agencies are involved, sequencing matters — starting both tracks early, rather than serially, is the single biggest schedule lever. Missing seismic calculations and unclear commodity classifications remain the most common correction items.
Installation and Inspection
Installation must follow approved drawings exactly. Anchor inspection by a licensed inspector is required. Final inspection by both Building and Fire before the permit closes. Load capacity signage must be installed and visible before final sign-off.