Lewiston Fire Department, Fire Prevention Bureau

Fire Prevention Permit (Alarm System / Burning / Incinerator)

A permit from the Fire Chief is required before installing or operating a fire alarm/monitoring system connected to the Fire Department, before any open-air burning, and before operating an outdoor incinerator — real, codified requirements under Chapter 38, Article III. A burning permit specifically carries no fee: the Fire Department's own current FAQ page states that once Central Station personnel inspect the proposed site, 'the permit will be issued immediately on site. There is no fee for the permit.' Chapter 38 states no dollar fee for the alarm-system and incinerator permit categories: its general provision, § 38-30(b), makes a permit invalid until 'the fees prescribed by the Lewiston City Council' have been paid, and § 38-30(c) applies the same council-schedule phrasing to permits for buildings, structures or alterations. No permit fee for either category appears in Chapter 38 or in the City's business license fee schedule (updated 4/21/2026), unlike the Building Permit Fee Schedule listed separately. The Council's separate Fire Alarms policy (updated 4/5/2016) does set an annual $350 fee for each building connected to the municipal fire alarm system through a master fire alarm box, which covers the Fire Alarm Division's inspection, cleaning, testing and battery replacement. Applies conditionally, only to a building or activity that independently triggers one of these Chapter 38 requirements, not as a flat charge every small business pays automatically.