Bartholomew County, IN Fire Regulations: Smoke Detectors (2026)
Key Facts
- Hallway spacing
- no more than 25 feet apart
- Distance from sleeping room
- at least one detector within 15 feet
- Ceiling/wall mount clearance
- 4 to 12 inches from wall or ceiling
- Enforcement
- County Code Enforcement Dept. / Fire Prevention Bureau
- Max fine
- up to $2,500 per offense (§ 10.99)
Summary
Every dwelling, dwelling unit, apartment house, lodging house, and mobile home rental in unincorporated Bartholomew County must have approved, working smoke detectors, placed within set distances of sleeping rooms and hallways under § 91.52. Tampering with a working detector is separately unlawful under § 91.53.
§ 91.51 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS. ... Every dwelling unit, dwelling, apartment house, lodging house or mobile home rental shall contain approved and properly functioning smoke detectors installed in accordance with § 91.52. ... § 91.52 LOCATION AND INSTALLATION. Smoke detectors shall be mounted on the ceiling or wall at a point centrally located in a corridor or area giving access to the rooms for sleeping purposes. Where a common hallway is used, smoke detectors shall be placed not more than 25 feet apart in a hallway. All smoke detectors shall be located either on the ceiling not less than four inches nor more than 12 inches from the wall, or on a wall not less than four inches nor more than 12 inches from the ceiling, or as per manufacturer guidelines. At least one smoke detector must be placed within 15 feet of any room used for sleeping purposes. No smoke detector shall be recessed into the ceiling.
Full Breakdown
52. That section fixes exact placement: detectors go on the ceiling or wall centrally located in a corridor or area giving access to sleeping rooms; in a common hallway they must sit no more than 25 feet apart; ceiling-mounted units must be four to twelve inches from the wall, and wall-mounted units four to twelve inches from the ceiling, unless manufacturer guidelines say otherwise; at least one detector must be within 15 feet of any sleeping room; and no detector may be recessed into the ceiling.
53 makes it unlawful to tamper with or remove a working smoke detector except for maintenance or inspection, and any detector removed for repair must go back in place during normal sleeping hours. 55 puts ongoing maintenance on the tenant, who must give the owner written, dated notice of any defect. 56 requires owners to certify in writing to each new occupant that required detectors are installed and working, and to produce documentation to the Fire Prevention Bureau on request. 58 bars conveying title or transferring possession of a dwelling unit that lacks a required, properly operating detector.
Violations & Fines
Violations of the smoke-detector subchapter carry a penalty under § 91.99; because §§ 91.50-91.61 fall outside the specifically-fined §§ 91.15-91.22, a violation defaults to § 10.99's general penalty of up to $2,500 per offense, with each day of a continuing violation a separate offense. The County Code Enforcement Department and County Fire Prevention Bureau are the named "authority having jurisdiction" for enforcement under § 91.50.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where must smoke detectors be placed in unincorporated Bartholomew County?
Is it illegal to remove a smoke detector's battery?
Who is responsible for smoke detectors in a rental unit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Bartholomew County
Compare Bartholomew County to another location·View the Indiana fire regulations overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.