Shasta County, CA Fire Regulations: Smoke Detectors (2026)

Smoke- and carbon-monoxide-alarm requirements for unincorporated Shasta County are set by California state law rather than a separate county ordinance, and are enforced locally by the Shasta County Department of Resource Management Building Division through the adopted California Residential Code. California Health & Safety Code Section 13113.7 requires State Fire Marshal-approved and listed smoke alarms to be installed in dwelling units, including one- and two-unit dwellings, apartments, condominiums, hotels, and similar occupancies; for permits issued after January 1, 2014 for alterations, repairs, or additions exceeding $1,000, the permit cannot be finaled unless the required smoke alarms are in place, and owners of rented single-family dwellings must keep alarms operable. Carbon monoxide protection comes from Health & Safety Code Section 17926 (the Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention Act of 2010): an owner of a dwelling unit intended for human occupancy that has a fossil-fuel-burning heater or appliance, a fireplace, or an attached garage must install a carbon monoxide device. The deadline for existing single-family dwellings was July 1, 2011, and devices must be installed consistent with building standards for new construction or the manufacturer's instructions. A violation of the CO requirement is an infraction carrying a maximum fine of $200 per offense, but only after the owner is given a 30-day notice to correct. At the local permit level, the county Building Division verifies smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in accordance with the California model codes at final inspection. Because these are statewide minimums, they apply throughout unincorporated Shasta County.