From ‘mega-houses’ to homeless shelters, horse barns to rocket factories, burn bans to fire damage: Fire Marshal Chris Ricketts retires after kaleidoscope of a career

King County Fire Marshal and Building Official Chris Ricketts has one last thing to declare, and no, it’s a not a burn ban or whether the office offers an adequate number of exit signs.

It’s his retirement.

After some 40 years of assisting and promoting public safety, sustainable construction and a commitment to the community, Ricketts is calling it a career. He has served as the King County Building Official for 25 years and King County Fire Marshal for the past decade.

During his time, Ricketts wore several management hats for the King County Permitting Division’s Building Department, from reviewer to supervisor to manager. He says he was fortunate to work with a broad range of professionals, whether it was folks from the permit center to site engineering to code enforcement; from structural engineers and building inspectors to deputy fire marshals.

Ricketts’ capacity as building official meant all sorts of unique and challenging projects came across his desk for approval. Ski lodges in the Cascades. Large circus tents for the Cirque du Soleil show. Amphitheaters. Treehouses. Straw-bale structures and more than 50 public school structures.

Ricketts has been the department representative for County emergency operations. He responded and investigated damages across unincorporated King County from fire, seismic activity, slides and snow. He has also represented King County and served on several boards and professional organizations concerning building and fire codes, sustainable construction and disaster response. 

“It has been an excellent adventure working with dedicated staff on a variety of interesting and sometimes challenging projects,” the University of Washington graduate says. “We can, and have, made a positive impact to our community.”

In retirement, Ricketts says he plans to, of course, travel, enjoy more time with family and friends and “appreciate whatever comes next.”

Please join Local Services in thanking Chris for his years of services to King County and wishing him well in his much-deserved retirement.