Community Risk Reduction
The Division Chief of Community Risk Reduction oversees the day-to-day operations of the division and reports directly to the Fire Chief.
The Community Risk Reduction Division (CRR) is dedicated to making the City of Harrison a safer place to live, work, and conduct business. The division accomplishes this through its core functions of public safety, code enforcement and law enforcement, and public education.
Responsibilities
CRR is responsible for a wide range of services that support both safety and compliance within the community. These include:
Emergency Response
Commercial and residential plan reviews
Fire and life safety inspections
Fire investigations
Construction-related inspections
Fire safety education and training for the public
Fire safety training for department personnel
Through these efforts; particularly fire and life safety inspections the division works to reduce the risk of injury, loss of life, and property damage by enforcing applicable laws, codes, and fire safety regulations.
Office of the Harrison Fire Marshal
The Office of the Harrison Fire Marshal is a law enforcement agency staffed by five sworn Fire Marshals, the office is responsible for conducting fire investigations, issuing citations, and making arrests involving fire-related offenses, ensuring accountability and compliance with fire safety laws.
Plan Review and Permitting
The Community Risk Reduction Division reviews commercial plans prior to the issuance of permits and reviews applicable sub-permits for:
New commercial buildings
Commercial additions and renovations
New residential homes
Residential additions and remodels
Electrical
Plumbing/Gas
Inground pools
Retaining walls
Covered decks and storage buildings
Special use permits
Business licenses
Rental permits
Firework permits
Amusement permits
Daycare permits
Rental Certificates
Current Version of Codes
2021 IFC/Arkansas Fire Prevention Code I, II, III
2021 International Building Code
2021 Mechanical Code
2020 Electrical Code
2018 Plumbing Code
2018 Fuel & Gas Code
Contractor Licensing
The following license information, by trade, is required in order to obtain a permit in the City of Harrison:
State Contractors License
Master Plumbing License
Master Electrical License
Mechanical License
Business License
The Community Risk Reduction Division conducts Certificate of Occupancy inspections for new businesses. The Division should be contacted prior to opening to schedule a date and time for the inspection. Any new business, change of location or change of ownership shall require an occupancy inspection.
Click on the tab (Business License) at the bottom of the page for more detailed information.
Business License Application (PDF)
Pay Business License Fee Online
25 most common IFC violations found in Businesses
Common IFC Violations for Business
Residential Rental Property Permit
The City of Harrison requires a rental permit for all Residential Rental Property in which three (3) or more individual dwelling units are attached and are owned by the same person or entity. Under City Ordinance, Residential Rental Property does not include single, individual, stand-alone rentals that are unattached to other properties or rentals.
Owners shall register their Residential Rental Property/Properties with the Harrison Fire Department Community Risk Reduction Division. No permit fee will be charged for registration.
Upon the completion of the initial registration process, a permit will be issued and shall be valid until December 31’st of each year. Renewal of the permit is required on an annual basis. Properties may be inspected by the Fire Department Community Risk Reduction Division as part of the permitting process.
Failure to register as outlined above and/or failure to maintain current registration through permit renewal shall be deemed a misdemeanor ordinance violation.
Residential Rental Permit Application (PDF)
Click on the tab (Residential Rental Permit) at the bottom of the page for more detailed information.
Fire Investigations
Fire investigations are conducted by on duty members of the Operations Division and by the Fire Marshals who are overseen by the Division Chief of Community Risk Reduction. Investigations are conducted into both criminal and non-criminal fire causes and conditions. Fire Investigators work in conjunction with the Harrison Police Department Criminal Investigation Division.
Fire Safety Education
Fire Safety Education is a part of the overall duties assigned to the Harrison Fire Department. The Community Risk Reduction Division oversees the Fire Safety Education Committee on all public education and training programs that are used in the community. Firefighters conduct station tours of their assigned stations, as well as providing fire company tours and presenting educational programs to students.
Permit Applications and Payment
Downloadable Permit Applications (PDF)
Click on the tab (Inspections & Permits) at the bottom of the page for more detailed information and to see Permit Fees.
Code Enforcement
Code Enforcement Officers enforce state laws and ordinances/codes adopted by the City of Harrison including but not limited to Fire Code, Building Code, Plumbing Code, Electrical Code, Clean Premises, and Business Licensing. The Code Enforcement Officer is authorized to write citations when a violation has occurred. Complaints or violations of the Clean Premises ordinance can be made by completing the Property Maintenance complaint form.
Click here to read the Property Maintenance Code (Clean Premises)
The authority for the City of Harrison to create and enforce a clean premises ordinance comes from the State of Arkansas Code Annotated 14-54-901, which reads as follows.
State of Arkansas Code Annotated § 14-54-901: Incorporated towns and cities of the first and second class are empowered to order the owner of lots and other real property within their towns or cities to cut weeds; to remove garbage, rubbish, and other unsightly and unsanitary articles and things upon the property; and to eliminate, fill up, or remove stagnant pools of water or any other unsanitary thing, place, or condition which might become a breeding place for mosquitoes, flies, and germs harmful to the health of the community, after the town or city has provided therefor by an ordinance to that effect.