Policy 1503 — Uniformed Employee Grooming Standards — was last revised August 2025. Here's the working summary.
Hair (incl. natural hairstyles per The CROWN Act 2019)
Hair shall be: - Worn in conformance during work hours, when responding to fires/emergencies, or when in uniform. - Neat, clean, trimmed, and present a groomed appearance. - Not below the bottom of the uniform shirt collar when standing erect. - Above the bottom of the ears, and not more than 2″ in front of the ears if combed over the ears. - No lower on the forehead than the eyebrows (measured from the high point) if styled or combed forward. - Maximum 2″ extension from the scalp. Moderate natural styles permitted within the listed limits. - Worn so as not to preclude proper safety helmet wear or SCBA face-mask sealing.
Sideburns and mustaches (clean shaven by default)
Uniformed personnel shall be clean shaven, with one exception: neatly trimmed sideburns and mustaches are permitted, subject to:
Sideburns: - Not below the bottom of the earlobe. - End with a clean-shaven horizontal line. - Maximum width at the bottom: 1½″.
Mustaches: - Trimmed no longer than the bottom of the upper lip — must not extend into the mouth opening. - Extend no longer than ½″ above the mandible. - Extend no more than 1″ from the corners of the mouth in width. - Stylized mustaches (twisted or intentionally curved ends extending upward, downward, or outward) are not permitted. Natural presentation only. - No lower-lip facial hair is permitted. - Sideburns or mustaches that preclude SCBA face-mask sealing are not permitted.
Earrings — prohibited on duty, with one Class A exception
When on duty, the wearing of earrings or other head/facial ornaments is prohibited.
Earrings Exception — optional earrings may be worn only with the Class A uniform, subject to:
- Metallic only — no stones, gems, or non-metallic materials.
- Color matches the badge and button trim: gold for Chief Officers, silver for Non-Chief Officers. Smooth, plain finish.
- Worn in matching pairs, one per ear, ear lobe only.
- Authorized styles and sizes:
- Button or studs — no larger than ¼″ diameter.
- Post-mounted ¾ hoop or full hoop — no larger than ¼″ width × ¾″ diameter × ⅛″ thickness.
- No drop, hanging, or dangle earrings or charms.
Rings
Conservatively styled finger rings may be worn. Note: safety rules may limit or prohibit ring-wearing in some work activities.
Why these rules exist
Two practical reasons sit behind every clause: 1) professional public-facing presentation, and 2) operational safety — specifically, the proper sealing of SCBA face masks during structural firefighting. A neatly trimmed mustache that fits well within the SCBA seal area is permitted; one that interferes with the seal is not, regardless of style.
Source
Policy 1503 — Uniformed Employee Grooming Standards — revised August 2025. Companion exhibit: Grooming Illustrations (with the Earrings Exception illustration set).
