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FEMS Fire Inspection & Operational Permits: Washington, D.C. restaurant guide

DC Fire and EMS — Fire Prevention Division

What it is

FEMS inspects businesses, restaurants among them, for fire-code compliance and issues operational permits for hazards such as open flames, charcoal grills, and public assembly events.

When a restaurant needs it

Open-flame or charcoal/wood cooking, candles in dining areas, propane, hot work during construction, or a Group A assembly space with an occupant load over 100. A plain restaurant under 100 occupants with no open flame normally needs only the business fire inspection.

How to apply

Request the inspection or permit on the FEMS 'Application for Permits and Inspections' web form and pay by card.

Documents you’ll need

Fee
DCFEMS fee schedule (2017): commercial fire inspection $150 per site visit per discipline; open flame permit $150; propane/LP-gas permit $100 (200 lb or less); hot work permit $150; Place of Public Assembly operational permit (Group A, occupant load over 100) $150; third and later re-inspections $150
Processing time
Varies
Renewal
Per permit; FEMS inspects businesses periodically
Who files
The business or its agent submits the web form.

Good to know

Fire-protection review of your hood suppression, alarm and sprinkler work happens in DOB plan review (the Fire discipline). This FEMS item is the operating-side permit and inspection. The posted fee schedule is dated April 2017; confirm current amounts when you apply.

Official source

FEMS: business inspection service · FEMS: operational permits

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Last reviewed 2026-10-06. Guidance only, not legal advice.