Austin, TX Fire Regulations: Smoke Detectors (2026)
Key Facts
- Smoke Alarm
- Alarms required every bedroom, hall, story
- Hardwired Requirement
- New construction: hardwired, interconnected
- CO Alarm
- CO alarms required near sleeping areas
- Landlord Responsibility
- Landlords must test at move-in (TPC §92)
- Free AFD installation
- Free AFD installation for qualifying residents
Summary
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.
Sec. 92.255. INSTALLATION AND LOCATION. (a) A landlord shall install at least one smoke alarm in each separate bedroom in a dwelling unit. In addition: (1) if the dwelling unit is designed to use a single room for dining, living, and sleeping, the smoke alarm must be located inside the room; (2) if multiple bedrooms are served by the same corridor, at least one smoke alarm must be installed in the corridor in the immediate vicinity of the bedrooms; and (3) if the dwelling unit has multiple levels, at least one smoke alarm must be located on each level.
Full Breakdown
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.
Violations & Fines
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my landlord refuse to install alarms?
Do I need CO detectors?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Austin
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Austin to another location·View the Texas fire regulations overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Smoke Detectors in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Travis County handle smoke detectors.