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Fire Inspection Fees

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1. Why is the fire department implementing these fees?

The fees imposed by the fire department are in response to the Common Council’s decision to control property tax increases for the City of La Crosse. Through a combination of reducing city expenditures and charging for certain services the council is balancing the needs for services and the costs for such services.

2. Is the fire department the only department charging fees?

No, all city departments were instructed to identify potential fees and submit them to the Common Council for approval.

3. How do I find out what the fees are?

All of the fees that the city charges are listed on the city’s web site

4. Is La Crosse the only city that charges fees for services?

No, many of the comparable cities to La Crosse charge similar fees and amounts.

5. What fees does the fire department charge for?

The department charges fees for conducting semi-annual fire inspections, false alarms, vehicle fires, and recreational fires.

6. How are the fees for the inspection of buildings calculated?

The fire department is required to conduct fire inspections of all public buildings, places of employment, and public residential buildings.

For commercial and high life safety buildings the fee is based on the square footage of the building. The larger the building the larger the fee. Refer to the fee schedule and square footage table to determine your fee.

For apartments there is a flat fee of $10.00 per building.

For hotels and motels, there is $5.00 charge per room.

7. What if I have a business on the first floor and rent individual rooms on the second floor, what will I be charged for?

If the apartments do not have any common areas that are not inspected, you would only be charged for the commercial space associated with your building.

8. Who makes the decision of what properties are subject to inspections?

The fire department is responsible for making that determination based on criteria in state and local building and fire codes.

9. What does the fee cover?

The fee helps offset the cost of the fire department personnel in conducting fire inspections. The department conducts a minimum of two inspections per year and other inspections as necessary to verify compliance. The fee also helps to offset the cost of computer hardware and software to record and track inspection as required by regulatory agencies as well as office supplies.

10. Will I be charged a fee for every time an inspector performs a fire inspection of my building?

No, the fee is will cover all inspections performed during the calendar year.

11. Will individual home owners be charged for inspections?

No, the fire department does not inspect one and two family dwellings.

12. What if I rent, will I be sent a bill?

Under the adopted ordinance the building owner will be billed. The building owner may require you to pay a portion of the fee; however, that is between the landlord and the tenant. We would recommend discussing this with your landlord or building owner.

13. What if I have questions concerning the fees or the charges?

If you have specific questions concerning the inspection fees, you may call the fire department at 608-789-7260 and someone will be available to discuss your particular situation. If your question concerns other city fees we would encourage you to contact the specific department.