San Diego County, CA Building Safety: Door Locking Hardware (2026)
Key Facts
- Applies to
- New or fully renovated mid-rise buildings
- Requirement
- Simultaneous unlock from fire command center
- Fail-safe
- Auto-unlock on power loss or alarm
- Hardware standard
- State Fire Marshal listed, permit required
Summary
In unincorporated San Diego County, new or fully renovated mid-rise buildings must wire stairway door locks to release automatically from the fire command center, and locking hardware needs State Fire Marshal listing and fire official approval before installation.
Sec. 324.1.9.5 Locking of stairway doors. All stairway doors that are locked to prohibit access from the interior of the stairway shall have the capability of being unlocked simultaneously, without unlatching, upon a signal from the fire command center. Upon failure of normal electrical service or activation of any fire alarm, the locking mechanism shall automatically retract to the unlocked position. Hardware for locking stairway vestibule doors shall be State Fire Marshal listed and approved by the fire code official by permit before installation.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-141: Administrative: Current through Ord. No. 11007 (N.S.), effective 7-10-26 | Regulatory: Current through Ord. No. 11008 (N.S.), effective 7-24-26).
Full Breakdown
San Diego County Code § 96.1.324, the county's amendment to the California Fire Code, requires stairway doors in new or completely renovated mid-rise buildings that lock from the interior to unlock simultaneously on a signal from the fire command center, and to retract automatically on power failure or fire alarm activation. Locking hardware on stairway vestibule doors must carry State Fire Marshal listing and be approved by the fire code official by permit before installation. Doors between the vestibule and the stairway shaft itself cannot be locked. The rule applies only to mid-rise construction in the unincorporated county: incorporated cities like San Diego set their own fire code amendments.
Violations & Fines
Noncompliant locking hardware fails plan check and final inspection by the fire code official; buildings cannot obtain occupancy approval until stairway door hardware meets this section.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this rule apply to my house?
Can a stairway door ever be locked from inside?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Diego County
California rules heatmap·Compare San Diego County to another location·View the California building safety overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.