Fontana, CA Fire Regulations: Smoke Detectors (2026)
Key Facts
- Where required
- Each bedroom, outside sleeping areas, every level of the home
- Technology standard
- 10-year sealed lithium battery post-2014 installs
- CO alarms
- Required with gas appliances, fireplace, or attached garage
- Landlord duty
- Install and test at the start of each tenancy
- Sale trigger
- Upgrade required at point of sale or permitted remodel
Summary
Fontana follows state law requiring smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside sleeping areas, and on each floor. CO alarms are required where homes have gas appliances or attached garages.
13113.7. (a) (1) Except as otherwise provided in this section, smoke alarms, approved and listed by the State Fire Marshal pursuant to Section 13114 at the time of installation, shall be installed, in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions in each dwelling intended for human occupancy.
(2) For all dwelling units intended for human occupancy for which a building permit is issued on or after January 1, 2014, for alterations, repairs, or additions exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000), the permit issuer shall not sign off on the completion of work until the permittee demonstrates that all smoke alarms required for the dwelling unit are devices approved and listed by the State Fire Marshal pursuant to Section 13114.
(4) Unless prohibited by local rules, regulations, or ordinances, a battery-operated smoke alarm, which otherwise met the standards adopted pursuant to Section 13114 for smoke alarms at the time of installation, satisfies the requirements of this section.
(b) “Dwelling units intended for human occupancy,” as used in this section, includes a one- or two-unit dwelling, lodging house, apartment complex, hotel, motel, condominium, stock cooperative, time-share project, or dwelling unit of a multiple-unit dwelling complex, or factory-built housing as defined in Section 19971.
(d) (2) The owner of a hotel, motel, lodging house, apartment complex, or other multiple-dwelling complex in which units are rented or leased, and commencing January 1, 2014, the owner of a single-family dwelling that is rented or leased, shall be responsible for testing and maintaining alarms required by this section as follows:
(B) At the time that a new tenancy is created, the owner shall ensure that smoke alarms are operable.
(e) A violation of this section is an infraction punishable by a maximum fine of two hundred dollars ($200) for each offense.
Full Breakdown
Smoke alarm requirements in Fontana follow California statewide law. 7 and the California Residential Code R314, every single-family home, duplex, condominium, and apartment unit must have working smoke alarms installed inside every sleeping room, in the hallway or area immediately outside each sleeping area, and on every level of the dwelling including basements. Alarms installed in homes after January 1, 2014 must be photoelectric or dual sensor with a 10-year sealed lithium battery and display the date of manufacture. When a home is sold or a permitted remodel valued over 1,000 dollars is performed, existing alarms must be upgraded to current standards.
Landlords are responsible for installing and testing alarms at the start of each tenancy; tenants are responsible for maintaining and replacing batteries during occupancy. Carbon monoxide alarm requirements under Health and Safety Code 17926 and CRC R315 apply to any dwelling that has a fuel-burning appliance, fireplace, or attached garage - an alarm must be installed on each level and outside every sleeping area. Fontana Code Enforcement and SBCoFD respond to complaints of missing alarms in rental units and can issue correction orders. Selling a home without required alarms can delay escrow, as most lenders require a Smoke Alarm and Water Heater Strapping Certification. Hardwired, interconnected alarms are required in all new construction.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many smoke alarms does my Fontana home need?
Do I need a carbon monoxide alarm in Fontana?
Who is responsible for alarms in a rental property?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fontana
California rules heatmap·Compare Fontana to another location·View the California fire regulations overview
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