Fremont, CA Fire Regulations: Smoke Detectors (2026)
Key Facts
- Locations
- Each bedroom, hall, floor
- Replacement Alarms
- 10-year sealed lithium
- New Build
- Hardwired interconnected
- CO Detectors
- Required (SB 183)
- Sale Compliance
- Required before closing
Summary
Fremont follows California law requiring smoke alarms in every bedroom, hallway, and floor. Newer construction needs 10-year sealed lithium battery alarms, and sale triggers full compliance.
Health and Safety Code - HSC, Section 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)(1) The owner shall be responsible for testing and maintaining alarms in hotels, motels, lodging houses, apartment complexes, and other multiple-dwelling complexes in which units are neither rented nor leased.
(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:
(A) An owner or the owner's agent may enter any dwelling unit, efficiency dwelling unit, guest room, and suite owned by the owner for the purpose of installing, repairing, testing, and maintaining single station smoke alarms required by this section. Except in cases of emergency, the owner or owner's agent shall give the tenants of each such unit, room, or suite reasonable notice in writing of the intention to enter and shall enter only during normal business hours. Twenty-four hours shall be presumed to be reasonable notice in absence of evidence to the contrary.
(B) At the time that a new tenancy is created, the owner shall ensure that smoke alarms are operable. The tenant shall be responsible for notifying the manager or owner if the tenant becomes aware of an inoperable smoke alarm within his or her unit.
(e) A violation of this section is an infraction punishable by a maximum fine of two hundred dollars ($200) for each offense.
Full Breakdown
California Health and Safety Code 13113.7 and the California Residential Code require working smoke alarms in all single-family homes, condos, apartments, and ADUs in Fremont. Required locations are inside every sleeping room, in the hallway outside sleeping areas, and on every story including basements. Homes built or remodeled after 2014 must have hardwired interconnected alarms with battery backup. Replacement alarms since 2015 must be sealed 10-year lithium units unless hardwired. Combination smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are acceptable. CO detection is separately required under SB 183 for any home with attached garage, fuel-burning appliance, or fireplace. At point of sale and before issuance of a building permit valued over 1,000 dollars, Fremont requires full smoke alarm compliance. Landlords must install and test alarms before occupancy and at least annually.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I replace smoke detectors?
Do Fremont ADUs need their own smoke alarms?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fremont
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