Selkirk Fire Drops Residential Construction Sign-Off Requirement Starting May 29
Sandpoint, Idaho — Selkirk Fire Rescue and EMS announced this week that three Bonner County fire districts will stop conducting fire sign-offs for single-family residential construction projects, effective May 29, 2026. The Westside, Northside, and Sagle Fire Districts are all affected by the change.
The decision follows what Fire Chief Jeff Armstrong described as years of unresolved negotiations with Bonner County over how the sign-off process should work. In a press release, Armstrong said the suspension will remain in place until a formal agreement between the county and the fire district can be established.
Why the Process Is Changing
Armstrong pointed to ongoing disputes over authority, scope, liability, and the overall structure of the current process as the driving factors. He argued that many of the projects requiring fire sign-offs — such as lean-tos, decks, minor remodels, and retaining walls — have no genuine fire code implications and that mandating a fire district review on those jobs adds unnecessary cost and delays for property owners.
“Projects such as lean-tos, minor remodels, decks, and retaining walls do not have fire district implications,” Armstrong said in the release. “Requiring a fire signoff only leads to increased cost, time, and frustration.”
Armstrong added that he has spent the past two years advocating for a process that properly applies fire code requirements while reducing red tape for residents. Despite continued discussions with the county, the key sticking points remained unresolved, prompting the districts to act.
The announcement reflects a broader concern about regulatory burdens on homeowners and builders — an issue that resonates throughout Bonner County, where construction activity and property development have remained active in recent years. Residents navigating local building permits or wondering how this change interacts with other county requirements are encouraged to contact the Bonner County Planning Department for guidance on the updated process.
Transition Timeline and What Comes Next
The districts confirmed that any requests submitted by the close of business on May 28 will still be honored and processed under the current system. After that date, applicants should direct fire sign-off questions to Bonner County’s planning staff.
Armstrong emphasized that the move is not a withdrawal from public safety responsibilities. “Our fire districts remain committed to supporting public safety and working cooperatively with the county toward a fair, clearly defined, and efficient process,” he said.
The suspension is framed as a temporary measure — a way to reset the table rather than permanently walk away from the process. Officials indicated the districts intend to continue working toward a formal, written agreement that better defines the roles and limits of fire district involvement in the building permit process.
Property owners in the Westside, Northside, and Sagle service areas with active or upcoming construction projects should verify their permit status before the May 29 deadline to avoid delays. Those with questions about fire safety requirements related to new construction may also wish to consult directly with Selkirk Fire Rescue and EMS.
Public safety coordination between fire districts and county planning agencies is a recurring challenge in North Idaho’s rapidly growing communities. For more on local emergency services news in the region, see our previous coverage of a Priest River residential fire and evacuation on Jackson Avenue.