Berkeley requires working smoke alarms in every bedroom, hallway, and story, plus CO alarms near sleeping areas. Required at sale, rental turnover, and with any permit.
Berkeley Municipal Code Chapter 19.48 adopts the California Residential Code and State Health and Safety Code Section 13113.7, requiring hardwired interconnected smoke alarms with battery backup in every sleeping room, outside each sleeping area, and on every story of a dwelling. Existing homes may use 10-year sealed battery alarms when retrofit wiring is impractical. Carbon monoxide alarms (per SB 183) are required outside each sleeping area and on every level of homes with any fuel-burning appliance, fireplace, or attached garage. Rental units must have alarms tested and verified at each tenant turnover; landlords carry written responsibility. At the time of sale, the seller must certify functional alarms (California Civil Code 1102.155). Any building permit for a bedroom addition, kitchen remodel, or reroof triggers city-wide alarm upgrades to current code. Berkeley Fire offers free smoke alarms to qualifying seniors and low-income residents via the American Red Cross Home Fire Campaign. Contact BFD at (510) 981-2489.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
See how other cities in Alameda County handle smoke detectors.
See how Berkeley's smoke detectors rules stack up against other locations.
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