Fire Safety Inspection

Certificate of Occupancy (CO) Inspections

A Certificate of Occupancy (CO) is required for all Commercial Businesses within the City of Gainesville. This Certficate of Occupancy shall be posted or displayed at each place of business.

This certificate ensures the public that the business has been inspected and meets the City's requirements for zoning, business use, and that the building meets the health, safety, and welfare requirements of the City.

If your business does not have a current Certificate of Occupancy (C.O.), please apply at the Community Development Department office located at 104 West Hird Street.

Certificate of Occupancy Application (PDF) may be emailed to Community Services.

After the C.O. application is processed, a Fire Inspector will contact the occupant in order to schedule a time for a C.O. inspection within two (2) business days.

Gaining Compliance

When violation(s) are noted, the occupant will receive a Field Inspection Checklist indicating the violation(s). The fire inspector will advise the occupant what steps need to take place to correct the violation(s).

Printed on the back of the Field Inspection Checklist is a Compliance Work Sheet. On the Compliance Worksheet, please have the service company sign the appropriate line; or if the violation can be corrected by your business, simply sign on the line.

Upon completion of the Compliance worksheet, the occupant must also sign and date verifying all violations have been corrected and notify the Fire Marshal by sending the completed worksheet to:

Shannon Jeffcoat, Fire Marshal
Gainesville Fire-Rescue
201 Santa Fe, Gainesville, Texas 76240
Fax (940) 668-4575 Attn: Fire Marshal
Email Shannon Jeffcoat, Fire Marshal

In order to obtain compliance, the occupant is required to correct the violation(s) within fifteen (15) days.

Commercial Fire Safety Inspections

• Gainesville Fire-Rescue performs fire safety inspections on all commercial occupancies on a biennial basis (every two years).
• Educational occupancies, health care occupancies, and detention / correctional occupancies are considered “Class A Occupancies”. Class A Occupancies are performed annually by the Gainesville Fire Marshal’s Office.
• Fire Sprinkler Systems and Fire Alarm Systems require a third-party inspection annually. Kitchen Fire Suppression Systems require a third-party inspection and hood cleaning semi-annually (every 6 months).
• Fire Inspectors identify these most common fire code violations at commercial occupancies. (PDF Form Common Fire Code Violations)

Gaining Compliance

When violation(s) are noted, the occupant will receive a Field Inspection Checklist indicating the violation(s). The fire inspector will advise the occupant what steps need to take place to correct the violation(s).

Printed on the back of the Field Inspection Checklist is a Compliance Work Sheet. On the Compliance Worksheet, please have the service company sign the appropriate line; or if the violation can be corrected by your business, simply sign on the line.

Upon completion of the Compliance worksheet, the occupant must also sign and date verifying all violations have been corrected and notify the Fire Marshal by sending the completed worksheet to:

Shannon Jeffcoat, Fire Marshal
Gainesville Fire-Rescue
201 Santa Fe, Gainesville, Texas 76240
Fax (940) 668-4575 Attn: Fire Marshal
Email Shannon Jeffcoat, Fire Marshal

Voluntary Residential Fire Inspection Request

The Gainesville Fire Department will inspect residences upon request. Please email the Fire Marshal Shannon Jeffcoat or call (940) 668-5737.