Williamson County, Texas

This is a stakeholder meeting of developers, builders, and business owners on the Williamson County FIre Marshal's Office planned adoption of the 2018 International Fire Code is scheduled for October 16, 1:30 to 3 p.m., at the Williamson County Georgetown Annex, 100 Wilco Way, Georgetown, Texas, in the large meeting room on the second floor. 

The Williamson County Fire Code, IFC 2015 was adopted by Williamson County Commissioners Court and became effective on June 26, 2018. The Williamson County Fire Marshal’s office is proposing the adoption of the IFC 2018, with amendments and fee schedule. The Williamson County Fire Marshal and Director of Emergency Services has been meeting with the County Commissioners to discuss the proposed changes and fee schedule. This code applies to unincorporated Williamson County only. The purpose of this code is to provide minimum requirements, with due regard to function, for the design and construction or substantial improvement of public buildings, commercial establishments, and multi-family residential dwellings consisting of four or more units, to reduce the risk to life and property from fire. The Williamson County Fire Marshal's office is tasked with the administration of the adopted IFC and works closely with the Williamson County Engineering department on commercial construction projects in the unincorporated portions of Williamson County. Our process includes:

• A comprehensive non-structural architectural plan review
• A detailed review of fire protection plans
• Permitting the development as well as fire protection systems
• A diligent and detailed inspection program, performed by the Williamson County Fire Marshal's office

2018 Williamson County Fire Code: Second Edition
2018 Significant Changes Overview

On October 6, 2020, the Williamson County Commissioners Court approved allocating $12 million from federal CARES Act funds to reimburse schools and school districts located in Williamson County for COVID-19 related expenses in Phase IV of the Wilco Forward program. The funding for this Phase IV program was re-allocated from the $20 million previous allocated to cities in Phase II. As a result of good planning and good stewardship, the needs of the cities were far less than originally expected. 

“Serve Up Fire Safety in the Kitchen” is this year’s theme for Fire Prevention Week, which runs October 4 to 10, 2020. The theme is all about inspiring and empowering children and adults to mitigate hazards in the kitchen by learning how to spot dangers, reduce risks, and respond in the event of an emergency. Watch and see our recipe for safe cooking in the kitchen here: https://youtu.be/S6JGKcK_700. 

Williamson County Office of Emergency Management in partnership with the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) and in coordination with the City of Georgetown will be hosting free COVID-19 testing in October. Testing will be held October 14, 15, and 16. Testing will be conducted at the Georgetown Community Center, 445 E. Morrow Street, Georgetown, 78626. It will begin at 9 a.m., and it will close by 1 p.m. or until supplies last.  

On September 17, 2020, Governor Abbott issued Executive Orders expanding occupancy levels at 75% for restaurants, retail stores, office buildings, manufacturing facilities, gyms and exercise facilities and classes, museums, and libraries, and re-authorizing elective surgeries for a majority of the state of Texas beginning September 21. Read Executive Order 30 here. In coordination with Governor Abbott's order, County Judge Bill Gravell has signed a new order effective Friday, September 18. This order continues to permit Williamson County residents to have outdoor gatherings in excess of 10 people in the unincorporated areas of Williamson County provided the gatherings otherwise comply with Governor Greg Abbott’s new Executive Order GA-30. A copy of the order can be found here. This order also follows Governor Abbott’s Executive Order requiring all Texans to wear a face-covering over nose and mouth in public spaces.