Davis, CA Fire Regulations: Smoke Detectors (2026)

6 of the California Residential Code, the smoke alarm section, by adding a sentence at the end of the paragraph: required smoke alarms must be connected to a second power source other than a dedicated branch circuit, and removable batteries are not acceptable as that second source. 6 of the California Building Code. Both amendments were adopted by Ordinance 2679 on November 18, 2025, as part of the city's periodic adoption cycle for the 2025 California Building Standards Code, Title 24. The practical effect is that a hardwired smoke alarm with only a plug-in battery backup, or a standalone battery-only unit installed as the sole detector, does not satisfy the Davis-specific standard for new construction or work requiring a permit; the alarm needs a genuine secondary power path, such as a second circuit or dedicated backup, so it keeps functioning if the primary branch circuit is de-energized.

1 of the adopted code. Because the amendment sits inside the building and residential code adoption chapter rather than the fire code, it is checked at plan review and final inspection on any project pulling a permit that triggers smoke alarm requirements, including additions, remodels, and new dwellings.