Austin follows the International Fire Code and Texas Property Code §92.251-.262 requiring working smoke alarms in every sleeping room, hallway, and each story of a dwelling. Rental properties must have alarms tested at move-in, and interconnected 10-year sealed-battery alarms are required in new construction.
Austin Fire Code (adopted from the 2021 International Fire Code with local amendments under Chapter 25-12) requires smoke alarms in: (1) each bedroom, (2) outside each sleeping area, (3) on every story including basements. New construction and substantial remodels require alarms to be hardwired, interconnected, and equipped with battery backup; bedrooms and adjacent halls also need combination smoke/carbon-monoxide alarms. Texas Property Code §92.251-.262 obligates landlords to install and maintain smoke alarms and to test at tenant move-in. Tenants can request written inspection and repair; landlord failure to correct within 7 days can trigger tenant remedies including $100 + one month's rent damages. Austin Fire offers free smoke alarm installation for income-qualified residents (512-974-0150). Hearing-impaired tenants are entitled to visual/strobe alarms at landlord expense under ADA. Disabling or failing to maintain alarms is a Class C misdemeanor, and in fatal fires can support criminal negligence charges. 10-year sealed-battery alarms are recommended since hush-button 9V alarms are frequently disabled.
Specific penalty amounts for this ordinance are not published in a publicly accessible fine schedule. Contact Austin code enforcement directly for current fines, enforcement procedures, and hearing options.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Austin, TX
Austin City Code Chapter 9-2 sets industrial noise limits at 75 dB(A) during daytime and 70 dB(A) at night, measured at the property line of the receiving pr...
Austin, TX
Austin does not ban gas leaf blowers, but their use is governed by the general noise ordinance in City Code Chapter 9-2. Leaf blower operation is restricted ...
Austin, TX
Austin requires an Outdoor Music Venue (OMV) permit for any commercial property hosting outdoor amplified music. Permits specify decibel caps, cutoff times, ...
Austin, TX
Austin City Code Chapter 9-2 establishes decibel limits by zoning district and time of day: 75 dB(A) daytime and 70 dB(A) nighttime in residential, up to 85 ...
Austin, TX
As the self-proclaimed Live Music Capital of the World, Austin has detailed amplified sound rules in City Code Chapter 9-2. Outdoor amplified music requires ...
Austin, TX
Austin City Code Chapter 25-2 requires EV-ready parking in new multifamily and commercial construction (minimum 20 percent of spaces), and Austin Energy oper...
See how Austin's smoke detectors rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.