Cicero, IL Fire Regulations: Smoke Detectors (2026)
Key Facts
- Minimum detectors
- 1 per living level and per unit
- Placement
- Within 15 ft of sleeping rooms
- Ceiling clearance
- 6 in from wall (or 6-12 in below ceiling)
- Standard
- UL 217 (1976) or Electrical Code
- Fine
- $250.00-$750.00 (Sec. 42-31(h))
Summary
Cicero requires at least one approved, working smoke detector in every residential unit and living level, plus one at the top of every interior stairwell in multi-unit and mixed-occupancy buildings. Town Code Sec. 42-31 sets exact placement distances and bans disabling a detector, with fines of $250.00 to $750.00.
(b) Location. Not less than one approved smoke detector shall be installed in each single-family residential unit and multiple-dwelling unit as defined in the comprehensive zoning ordinance in appendix A to this Code. A detector shall be installed on the ceiling and at least six inches from any wall or on a wall located not less than six inches or more than 12 inches from the ceiling and within 15 feet of all rooms used for sleeping purposes, with not less than one detector per living level. (c) Stairwell installation. All multiple dwellings and buildings of mixed occupancy having any residential units shall contain not less than one approved smoke detector at the uppermost ceiling of all interior stairwells. ... (f) Removal of batteries unlawful. It shall be unlawful for any person to remove batteries or in any way render inoperable any smoke detector required to be installed by this section... (h) Violation. There shall be a minimum fine of $250.00 and a maximum of $750.00 for violations of this section.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 121).
Full Breakdown
Sec. 42-31 requires every building of residential or mixed occupancy with any residential units to carry approved, operable smoke detectors. At least one detector must go in each single-family or multiple-dwelling unit, installed on the ceiling at least six inches from any wall, or on a wall positioned between six and twelve inches below the ceiling, and located within 15 feet of every room used for sleeping, with a minimum of one detector per living level. Multiple dwellings and mixed-occupancy buildings must additionally place at least one approved smoke detector at the uppermost ceiling of every interior stairwell, installed to the same wall or ceiling clearance rules.
All required detectors must be ionization chamber or photoelectric type meeting Underwriters' Laboratories Standard UL 217 (1976) and any applicable Electrical Code provisions. A building equipped throughout with an approved automatic sprinkler system is exempt from the whole section. Removing batteries or otherwise disabling a required smoke detector is unlawful, except for a building owner, manager or agent conducting scheduled battery replacement or repair. A violation of any part of Sec. 00 under subsection (h).
Violations & Fines
A missing, misplaced or disabled smoke detector violates Sec. 42-31 and draws a fine of not less than $250.00 nor more than $750.00 per offense under subsection (h). Removing batteries from a required detector is separately unlawful unless done by a building owner, manager or agent for scheduled replacement or repair, and a fully sprinklered building is exempt from the detector mandate altogether.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many smoke detectors does Cicero require in an apartment?
Can I remove the batteries from my smoke detector?
Are sprinklered buildings exempt from the smoke detector rule?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Cicero
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How other cities in Cook County handle smoke detectors.