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Clark County, NV Fire Regulations: Smoke Detectors (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Applies to
Hotels/motels 3+ stories, 20+ rooms
Also covers
Apartments/condos 3+ stories, 15+ units
Requirement
Approved smoke detector in every guest room
Penalty
Misdemeanor, up to $500 fine, 6 months jail
Enforced by
Clark County Building Official

Summary

Hotels, motels, apartments and condos of three or more stories meeting size thresholds, including Strip resorts in unincorporated Paradise and Winchester, must install an approved smoke detector in every guest room under the county's 1981 high-rise retrofit ordinance.

City-specific rules exist: Henderson, and Las Vegas have their own smoke detectors rules that differ from Clark County's county-level regulations. If you live in one of those cities, check the city-specific page instead.

(C)Every building of Group R, Division 1 occupancy shall be additionally upgraded as follows:(1)SMOKE DETECTORS. Each guest room shall be provided with an approved smoke detector in accordance with the provisions of UBC Sections 1807(d) and 1210(a). For the purposes of this retrofit section, such approval shall be construed to mean that the smoke detector unit is either listed as meeting UBC Standard 43-6 or the Nevada State Fire Marshal standards, either currently or at any time in the past. The building owner is responsible to provide evidence of such current or previous listing of device(s) upon demand. If evidence cannot be so provided in a reasonable period of time, non-listed smoke detectors shall be removed and approved units installed. The location of installation shall be in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions or as required by UBC Section 1210(a).(2)AIR SUPPLY TO GUEST ROOMS. Every ventilation cooling or heating system which serves guest rooms or dwelling units shall conform to the requirements of Chapter 7 and Chapter 11 of the Uniform Mechanical Code, 1979 Edition as currently adopted by Clark County.

Source: Clark County Building and Fire PreventionView official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 147).

Full Breakdown

Clark County Code § 22.10.020(C)(1), part of the Safety Standards for Existing Buildings chapter adopted after the 1980 MGM Grand and 1981 Las Vegas Hilton fires, requires an approved smoke detector in each guest room of Group R Division 1 buildings, hotels, motels, apartments and condominiums three or more stories tall. Owners must produce proof the units meet UBC Standard 43-6 or Nevada State Fire Marshal listing; non-listed detectors must be removed and replaced. Because the Las Vegas Strip resorts sit in the unincorporated townships of Paradise and Winchester, this county rule, not a City of Las Vegas ordinance, governs their guest-room smoke detectors.

Violations & Fines

Violating Chapter 22.10 is a misdemeanor: up to a $500 fine, six months in county jail, or both, with each day of noncompliance a separate offense enforced by the Clark County Building Official.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Las Vegas Strip fall under this county rule?
Yes. The Strip's resorts sit in the unincorporated townships of Paradise and Winchester, so Clark County Code governs their guest-room smoke detectors rather than a City of Las Vegas ordinance.
What buildings must comply?
Group R Division 1 occupancies, hotels, motels, apartments and condominiums, of three or more stories that meet the room/unit thresholds set in Section 22.10.020.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Clark County

All Clark County rules

Compare Clark County to another location·View the Nevada fire regulations overview

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