Chula Vista, CA Fire Regulations: Smoke Detectors (2026)

Unincorporated San Diego County does not have its own consumer smoke-alarm ordinance for single-family homes; residential smoke alarm requirements come from California state law and the California Building and Residential Codes (which the County adopts). Under Health & Safety Code section 13113.7, smoke alarms approved and listed by the State Fire Marshal must be installed in every dwelling intended for human occupancy. Since 1992, alarms are required in each bedroom in addition to outside each sleeping area, and on each floor. Under Health & Safety Code section 13113.8, every single-family dwelling sold must have an operable smoke alarm in the correct locations at the time of title transfer, and the seller must provide a written compliance statement. For permits issued on or after January 1, 2014, for alterations, repairs, or additions over $1,000, the building department will not finalize until all required State Fire Marshal-listed alarms are installed. California law also requires battery-operated alarms to have a 10-year sealed battery for newly sold units. The County's Consolidated Fire Code does include a separate smoke-detection mandate for commercial mid-rise buildings (Sec. 96.1.325.1.2), requiring detectors tied to an automatic fire alarm system installed per NFPA 72 - but that applies to mid-rise structures, not typical homes. Carbon monoxide alarms are separately required by Health & Safety Code section 13260 et seq.