Fireplace installation in brief
Installing a fireplace means fitting a new firebox or factory-built unit, connecting it to a properly sized chimney or vent, and finishing the surround so the result is safe to use. We help you choose between a masonry build and a prefabricated unit, wood or gas, and we plan the chimney termination before work begins. For the full scope of the job, including how we approach layout and venting, read how fireplace installation works.
What Sausalito's building division asks for with a new fireplace
Three items in the City's published building requirements shape how a fireplace project in Sausalito is planned. Each one affects what has to be decided before plans are drawn.
A spark arrester shown and dimensioned on the plans
The City of Sausalito Building Division asks that plans specify chimney spark arresters and dimension the arrester's lowest opening at least two feet above any roof within ten feet horizontally (source: City of Sausalito Building Division - Local Building Ordinances). In practice, the chimney height is a design decision, not something to settle at the end. If another roof section sits within that ten-foot distance, the chimney may need to rise higher than you expect, which affects how it looks and how it is framed or built. We work out the termination height and the arrester location as part of the installation plan.
Fireplace details in a remodel or addition submittal
The City of Sausalito's submittal requirements for residential additions and remodels call for fireplace details: masonry details or manufacturer cut sheets with listing, make and model for prefabricated fireplaces, and the fireplace's BTU rating (source: City of Sausalito Building Division - Residential Additions & Alterations/Remodel Submittal Requirements). That means a factory-built fireplace needs to be chosen before the submittal, not after, because the make, model, listing and BTU rating all go on the paperwork.
Have these settled before plans are submitted
- Whether the fireplace will be masonry or a prefabricated unit
- For masonry: the construction details of the firebox and chimney
- For a prefabricated unit: the manufacturer cut sheets showing its listing, make and model
- The fireplace's BTU rating
- The chimney height and spark arrester location
Outside-agency review for new wood-burning fireplaces
The City of Sausalito's Outside Agency Checklist lists proposed construction of new wood-burning fireplaces among items needing outside-agency review, in the row for the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (source: City of Sausalito Community Development - Outside Agency Checklist). If a wood-burning fireplace is what you want, plan for that extra review step in your timeline. If you are still deciding on fuel, our guide to gas vs wood burning fireplace covers how the two compare in daily use, upkeep and venting.
Choose the unit first
Because the submittal calls for make, model, listing and BTU rating, picking the exact fireplace is the first decision, not the last. Settling it early keeps the plans and the installation in step.
When a new installation is the right job
A full installation fits when the home has no working fireplace, when you are adding one as part of a remodel or addition, or when the old unit is beyond saving. If you already have a sound masonry fireplace and simply want better heat, a fireplace insert or a conversion to gas may do the job with less construction. If the problem is a deteriorated chimney rather than the fireplace itself, chimney rebuild in Sausalito may be the better starting point. We can look at what you have and tell you which job makes sense.
Getting an estimate
Estimates are free. We do gas fireplace and gas appliance work as well as wood-burning installations, and we work on all major brands. For more on the fireplace installation service itself, or for everything else we handle for homes in Sausalito, get in touch and request an estimate.
Sources (1)
The sources of the Sausalito facts on this page.
- 1City of Sausalito Building Division - Local Building Ordinances; City of Sausalito Building Division - Residential Additions & Alterations/Remodel Submittal Requirements; City of Sausalito Community Development - Outside Agency Checklist
