Denver, CO Fire Regulations: Smoke Detectors (2026)
Key Facts
- Governs
- Licensed residential rental properties
- Required in unit
- Smoke detector, CO detector, extinguisher
- Enforcer
- Dept. of Excise and Licenses
- Max civil penalty
- $5,000 per violation, per day
- Licensing phase-in
- Multi-unit 2023; single-unit 2024
Summary
Every licensed Denver residential rental property must have a functioning smoke detector, carbon monoxide detector, and fire extinguisher in each dwelling unit, enforced through the city's rental licensing program.
(c)A residential rental property licensee shall ensure that all dwelling units within a residential rental property contain a functioning smoke detector, carbon monoxide detector, and fire extinguisher.(d)A residential rental property licensee shall comply with section 27-240 herein.(e)A residential rental property licensee shall, to advertise a residential rental property, clearly display the license number on the face of the advertisement. For the purpose of this section, the terms "advertise," "advertising" or "advertisement" mean the act of drawing the public's attention to a residential rental property. This subsection (e) shall apply to any person, employee, agent or independent contractor advertising on behalf of a residential rental property licensee. (Ord. No. 420-21, § 1, 5-3-21; Ord. No. 617-22, § 1, 6-20-22; Ord. No. 1585-22, § 2, 12-19-22)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 147 Update 3).
Full Breakdown
Denver Revised Municipal Code § 27-195(c) requires every residential rental property licensee to ensure all dwelling units within the property contain a functioning smoke detector, carbon monoxide detector, and fire extinguisher. The duty attaches to Denver's mandatory rental licensing program: required for multi-unit buildings after January 1, 2023, and for single-family rentals, rowhouses, and condo units after January 1, 2024. The Department of Excise and Licenses verifies compliance through home-inspector inspections before issuing a license, and can deny, suspend, or revoke a license for a property that doesn't conform to the Denver Building and Fire Code under § 27-197(b).
Violations & Fines
Civil penalty of up to $5,000 per violation per day under § 27-203, enforceable as a lien against the property; missing detectors can also trigger license denial, suspension, or revocation under §§ 27-197 and 27-200.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Denver require smoke detectors in rental units?
What happens if a Denver landlord skips this?
Does this rule apply to owner-occupied homes?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Denver
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