Assigned to RAGE AS PASSED BY HOUSE
ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Seventh Legislature, First Regular Session
AMENDED
FACT SHEET FOR S.B. 1348
state fire marshal; phased permitting
Purpose
Establishes phased permitting for construction projects that are reviewed and approved by
the Office of the State Fire Marshal (Office). Authorizes municipalities to review and approve
certain construction permits in lieu of approval from the Office.
Background
The Office is a division of the Department of Forestry and Fire Management under the
direction of the State Forester. The Office promotes public health and safety and reduces hazards
to life, limb, and property by: 1) performing inspections and fire investigations; 2) providing public
education; and 3) adopting fire protection codes. The Office may hire appropriate personnel to
discharge the duties of the Office including deputy fire marshals who must have knowledge in the
field of fire safety and at least five years of experience in fire safety (A.R.S. §§ 37-1381 and 37-
1382).
Current statute requires all plans and specifications for new construction, remodeling,
alterations and additions to state, county and public school buildings and grounds to be submitted
to the Office before construction. The plans and specifications must be reviewed and approved
within 60 days after submission. Construction must not commence until the plans have been
approved and a permit has been issued (A.R.S. § 37-1383).
The 2018 edition of the International Fire Code (IFC) published by the International Code
Council is incorporated into the Arizona Administrative Code by reference as the State Fire Code.
The IFC establishes regulations affecting or relating to structures, processes, premises and
safeguards regarding: 1) the hazard of fire and explosion arising from the storage, handling or use
of structures, materials or devices; 2) conditions hazardous to life, property or public welfare in
the occupancy of structures or premises; 3) fire hazards in the structure or on the premises from
occupancy or operation; 4) matters related to construction, extension, repair, alteration or removal
of fire suppression or alarm systems; and 5) conditions affecting the safety of fire fighters and
emergency responders during emergency operations (A.A.C. R4-36-201; IFC).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this
legislation.
Provisions
1. Removes the requirement that an individual must have five years of experience in fire safety
to be hired as a deputy fire marshal with the Office. FACT SHEET – Amended
S.B. 1348
Page 2
2. Authorizes a city or town to allow all plans and specifications for new construction,
remodeling, alterations and additions for municipal or private buildings and grounds to be
submitted to the city or town for review and approval by a person designated as knowledgeable
with the State Fire Code.
3. Requires, if the city or town adopts a process to approve construction permits, all plans and
specifications to be reviewed and approved or disapproved within 60 days after submission.
4. Prohibits construction from commencing until the plans and specifications have been approved
and a permit has been issued by the city or town.
5. Requires the State Forester to adopt rules to implement a one or two-phase construction,
remodeling, alteration or addition permit.
6. Allows a person to choose to submit either a one or two-phase permit application.
7. Requires, for a one-phase permit application, the State Forester to make a final determination
to approve or deny the permit application within 60 days after receiving a valid permit
application.
8. Prohibits construction, for a one-phase permit application, from commencing:
a) until the plans have been approved and a permit has been issued by the State Forester; or
b) unless the State Forester has not acted on the permit application within 60 days after
receiving a valid application.
9. Requires, for a two-phase permit application, the State Forester to review the plans and
specifications and make an initial determination to approve or deny the permit within 30 days
after receiving a valid permit application.
10. Requires, for a two-phase permit application, the State Forester to make a final determination
to approve or deny the permit application within 60 days after receiving a valid permit
application.
11. Prohibits construction, for a two-phase permit application, from commencing beyond the
constraints of phase one:
a) until the plans have been approved and a permit has been issued by the State Forester; or
b) unless that State Forester has not acted on the permit application within 60 days after
receiving a valid application.
12. Makes technical and conforming changes.
13. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Amendments Adopted by the House of Representatives
1. Removes the authorization for a city or town with a population of 30,000 persons or fewer to
allow all plans and specifications for new construction, remodeling, alterations and additions
for state, county and public school buildings and grounds to be submitted to the city or town
for review and approval by a person designated as knowledgeable with the State Fire Code. FACT SHEET – Amended
S.B. 1348
Page 3
2. Authorizes a city or town to allow all plans and specifications for new construction,
remodeling, alterations and additions for municipal or private buildings and grounds to be
submitted to the city or town for review and approval by a person designated as knowledgeable
with the State Fire Code.
Senate Action House Action
RAGE 2/5/25 DP 7-0-0 GOV 3/12/25 DP 4-3-0-0
3
rd
Read 2/24/25 29-1-0 3
rd
Read 4/16/25 45-13-0
Prepared by Senate Research
April 16, 2025
JT/KP/ci