Smoke Detectors: Mountain View vs Sunnyvale
How do smoke detectors rules compare between Mountain View, CA and Sunnyvale, CA?
Mountain View and Sunnyvale have similar restriction levels.
Mountain View, CA
Santa Clara County
California law requires working smoke alarms in all dwellings, and carbon monoxide alarms in any home with fuel appliances or an attached garage. Mountain View enforces these on sale and at rental turnover.
View full Mountain View rules →Sunnyvale, CA
Santa Clara County
Sunnyvale enforces the California Building Code and State Health and Safety Code requiring working smoke alarms in every bedroom, hallway, and level of a home. Detectors must be hardwired in new construction.
View full Sunnyvale rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Mountain View | Sunnyvale |
|---|---|---|
| Every bedroom | Smoke alarm required | - |
| Every floor | Smoke alarm required | - |
| CO alarms | With fuel appliances or garage | - |
| Battery standard | 10-year sealed since 2015 | 10-year sealed since 2014 |
| Rental check | Every tenant turnover | - |
| Bedroom alarm | - | Required in each |
| Hallway alarm | - | Required outside sleeping |
| New construction | - | Hardwired interconnected |
| CO alarm | - | Required with fuel appliances |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Mountain View FAQ
Can a landlord require the tenant to maintain alarms?
The landlord must install and verify alarms; tenants are generally responsible for replacing batteries and testing monthly during tenancy.
Do I need a CO alarm if I have all electric appliances?
Only if you have an attached garage or a fireplace; otherwise an all-electric dwelling may not require a CO alarm.
Sunnyvale FAQ
Do I need to replace battery-only smoke alarms in my older Sunnyvale home?
At point of sale or rental you must have 10-year sealed battery alarms. Otherwise replace when existing alarms reach 10 years of age.
Is the landlord or tenant responsible?
The landlord must install and maintain alarms, but the tenant is responsible for testing and reporting failures.
Compare other topics
See how Mountain View and Sunnyvale compare on other ordinance categories.
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