Smoke Detectors: San Jose vs Sunnyvale
How do smoke detectors rules compare between San Jose, CA and Sunnyvale, CA?
San Jose and Sunnyvale have similar restriction levels.
San Jose, CA
Santa Clara County
San Jose enforces California Building Code and Health & Safety Code smoke alarm requirements, mandating working alarms in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area, and on each level of a home. Carbon monoxide alarms are also required. Hardwired interconnected alarms are standard in new construction and major remodels.
View full San Jose 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 | San Jose | Sunnyvale |
|---|---|---|
| - | - | |
| Bedroom alarm | - | Required in each |
| Hallway alarm | - | Required outside sleeping |
| New construction | - | Hardwired interconnected |
| Battery standard | - | 10-year sealed since 2014 |
| CO alarm | - | Required with fuel appliances |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
San Jose FAQ
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.
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