Colonie, NY Fire Regulations: Smoke Detectors (2026)

Colonie's smoke-detector rule sits in the same Fire Prevention chapter as its sprinkler and alarm permitting, adopted by reference from the New York State Fire Code under § 20-13. Section 20-22 requires any building or structure, or any portion of one, that is occupied or used by people for whom sleeping accommodations are provided, to be protected by an approved automatic smoke-detection and alarm device located in or adjacent to all sleeping quarters, or wherever else the state Fire Code specifies. That duty runs alongside § 20-16, which lets the Fire Chief survey buildings and premises in town, except the interiors of one- and two-family homes, to decide what fire-detecting devices a property needs.

Enforcement follows the same chapter-wide track: under § 20-37 the Division of Fire Services can issue a notice of violation describing the problem and giving a reasonable time to fix it voluntarily, and § 20-38 sets out how an order to remedy is served on the owner or occupant, including by certified mail if no one is found on the premises. A courtesy copy also goes to the property's fee owner of record. An applicant or owner who disputes the Chief's decision can appeal in writing to the Commissioner of Public Works within 10 days under § 20-41.