Kootenai County, ID Fire Regulations: Smoke Detectors (2026)
Key Facts
- Code in force
- 2009 Int'l Residential Code
- Smoke alarms
- Each bedroom + each level
- CO alarms
- Required near sleeping areas
- Enforced at
- Permit / certificate of occupancy
- Penalty
- Misdemeanor (I.C. 39-4126)
Summary
Kootenai County builds to the 2009 International Residential Code, which requires smoke alarms in each sleeping room, outside each sleeping area, and on every level. New homes must also have carbon monoxide alarms near sleeping areas. Rules are enforced at construction.
THE 2009 INTERNATIONAL RESIDENTIAL CODE, INCLUDING APPENDIX G, as published by the International Code Council... Kootenai County hereby adopts the following construction codes, standards and requirements, except as amended by this chapter.
Full Breakdown
By Ordinance No. 450 the county adopted 'THE 2009 INTERNATIONAL RESIDENTIAL CODE, INCLUDING APPENDIX G' for the unincorporated area. The IRC (Section R314) requires smoke alarms inside each bedroom, outside each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of bedrooms, and on each additional story including basements. Carbon monoxide alarms are required outside sleeping areas in dwellings with fuel-burning appliances or attached garages. Requirements are verified through building permits and the certificate of occupancy; the county building official administers all codes except the fire code, which the fire districts enforce.
Violations & Fines
Violating an adopted building code is a misdemeanor punishable as provided in Idaho Code 39-4126; each structure and each day of an ongoing offense is a separate violation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which building code governs Kootenai County homes?
Are carbon monoxide alarms required?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Kootenai County
Compare Kootenai County to another location·View the Idaho fire regulations overview
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