Permit Processing = High Piled Storage Permits

When the top of your load is 12’ or higher, you are required to obtain a high piled storage permit from your local fire authority.   (12’ or higher to top of storage is a requirement with or without in rack storage.)

There is an exception with regard to High Plied Storage permits; if the storage area in question is less than 500 square feet you do not need to obtain High Piled Storage permits.  You will, however, in most cases need to obtain Fire dept. approval before the City will issue your  building permit.

High Piled Storage Permits and Building Permits are usually approved in conjunction with each other, meaning; You can not get one with out the other when both are required.

We have compiled a quick reference link list for business license and/or occupancy permit applications for cities in Los Angeles, Orange, and surrounding counties.  This is a quick link reference to each listed city’s building, planning, or safety departments for warehouse pallet racks, shelving, and other storage systems.

LA County Code

High-piled combustible storage. An operational permit is required to use any building or portion thereof as a high-piled storage area exceeding 500 square feet (46 m2). In addition to any of the requirements of Chapter 32 of this code, a letter describing the type and amount of material to be stored and the method of storage, plus a floor plan showing the dimension and location of the stockpiles and aisles shall be submitted with applications for such permits.

Please click on this link for the entire code  LA County Municipal Code

Section 3201 General

3201.1 Scope

High-piled combustible storage shall be in accordance with this chapter. In addition to the requirements of this chapter, the following material-specific requirements shall apply:

3201.2 Permits

A permit shall be required as set forth in Section 105.6.

3201.3 Construction documents

At the time of building permit application for new structures designed to accommodate high-piled storage or for requesting a change of occupancy/use, and at the time of application for a storage permit, plans and specifications shall be submitted for review and approval. In addition to the information required by the California Building Code, the storage permit submittal shall include the information specified in this section. Following approval of the plans, a copy of the approved plans shall be maintained on the premises in an approved location. The plans shall include all of the following:

3201.4 Evacuation plan

Where required by the fire code official, an evacuation plan for public accessible areas and a separate set of plans indicating location and width of aisles, location of exits, exit access doors, exit signs, height of storage, and locations of hazardous materials shall be submitted at the time of permit application for review and approval. Following approval of the plans, a copy of the approved plans shall be maintained on the premises in an approved location.

Section 3202 Definitions

3202.1 Definitions

The following terms are defined in Chapter 2:

Section 3203 Commodity Classification

3203.1 Classification of commodities

Commodities shall be classified as Class I, II, III, IV or high hazard in accordance with this section. Materials listed within each commodity classification are assumed to be unmodified for improved combustibility characteristics. Use of flame-retarding modifiers or the physical form of the material could change the classification. See Section 3203.7 for classification of Group A, B and C plastics.

3203.2 Class I commodities

Class I commodities are essentially noncombustible products on wooden pallets, in ordinary corrugated cartons with or without single-thickness dividers, or in ordinary paper wrappings with or without pallets. Class I commodities are allowed to contain a limited amount of Group A plastics in accordance with Section 3203.7.4. Examples of Class I commodities include, but are not limited to, the following:

3203.3 Class II commodities

Class II commodities are Class I products in slatted wooden crates, solid wooden boxes, multiple-thickness paperboard cartons or equivalent combustible packaging material with or without pallets. Class II commodities are allowed to contain a limited amount of Group A plastics in accordance with Section 3203.7.4. Examples of Class II commodities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Alcoholic beverages not exceeding 20-percent alcohol, in combustible containers
• Foods in combustible containers
• Incandescent or fluorescent light bulbs in cartons
• Thinly coated fine wire on reels or in cartons

3203.4 Class III commodities

Class III commodities are commodities of wood, paper, natural fiber cloth, or Group C plastics or products thereof, with or without pallets. Products are allowed to contain limited amounts of Group A or B plastics, such as metal bicycles with plastic handles, pedals, seats and tires. Group A plastics shall be limited in accordance with Section 3203.7.4. Examples of Class III commodities include, but are not limited to, the following:

3203.5 Class IV commodities

Class IV commodities are Class I, II or III products containing Group A plastics in ordinary corrugated cartons and Class I, II and III products with Group A plastic packaging, with or without pallets. Group B plastics and free-flowing Group A plastics are also included in this class. The total amount of non-free-flowing Group A plastics shall be in accordance with Section 3203.7.4. Examples of Class IV commodities include, but are not limited to, the following:

3203.6 High-hazard commodities

High-hazard commodities are high-hazard products presenting special fire hazards beyond those of Class I, II, III or IV. Group A plastics not otherwise classified are included in this class. Examples of high-hazard commodities include, but are not limited to, the following:

3203.7 Classification of plastics

Plastics shall be designated as Group A, B or C in accordance with Sections 3203.7.1 through 3203.7.4.

3203.7.1 Group A plastics

Group A plastics are plastic materials having a heat of combustion that is much higher than that of ordinary combustibles, and a burning rate higher than that of Group B plastics. Examples of Group A plastics include, but are not limited to, the following:

3203.7.2 Group B plastics

Group B plastics are plastic materials having a heat of combustion and a burning rate higher than that of ordinary combustibles, but not as high as those of Group A plastics. Examples of Group B plastics include, but are not limited to, the following:

3203.7.3 Group C plastics

Group C plastics are plastic materials having a heat of combustion and a burning rate similar to those of ordinary combustibles. Examples of Group C plastics include, but are not limited to, the following: