Texas amended IRC R313 to make residential fire sprinklers optional for one- and two-family homes. Dallas County does not require home sprinklers in unincorporated areas, but commercial and multifamily projects must follow IFC and IBC sprinkler rules.
Texas Local Government Code 233.153 prohibits cities and counties from mandating fire sprinklers in new one- and two-family dwellings, overriding IRC R313. Builders may install sprinklers voluntarily, and lenders or insurers may incentivize them. For commercial buildings, multifamily housing of three or more units, and high-occupancy assemblies, the IFC and IBC sprinkler thresholds still apply when adopted by the county. Dallas County Fire Marshal reviews unincorporated commercial and multifamily plans, requiring NFPA 13 or 13R systems where the code triggers. Existing buildings undergoing major renovation may require retrofits.
Code violations on commercial or multifamily sprinkler systems carry Class C misdemeanor fines up to 2,000 dollars per day plus potential occupancy denials. Single-family violations cannot be enforced by the county due to state preemption.
See how Richardson's fire sprinkler requirements rules stack up against other locations.
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