Garden Grove, CA Fire Regulations: Smoke Detectors (2026)
Key Facts
- Smoke Alarms Required
- Every bedroom, hallway, and level
- CO Alarms Required
- Homes with gas appliances/garages
- Battery Type
- 10-year sealed battery or hardwired
- State Law
- HSC Sections 13113.7 & 17926
- OCFA
- (714) 573-6000
Summary
Garden Grove enforces California state requirements for smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms under the California Health and Safety Code and Building Code. All residential dwellings must have working smoke alarms in each bedroom, outside sleeping areas, and on every level. CO alarms are required in homes with fossil fuel appliances, attached garages, or fireplaces. OCFA inspects compliance during fire safety checks.
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.
(3) However, if any local rule, regulation, or ordinance, adopted prior to January 1, 1987, requires installation in a dwelling unit intended for human occupancy of smoke alarms which receive their power from the electrical system of the building and requires compliance with the local rule, regulation, or ordinance at a date subsequent to the dates specified in this section, the compliance date specified in the rule, regulation, or ordinance shall, but only with respect to the dwelling units specified in this section, take precedence over the date specified in this section.
(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.
(e) A violation of this section is an infraction punishable by a maximum fine of two hundred dollars ($200) for each offense.
Full Breakdown
Garden Grove, served by the Orange County Fire Authority, enforces California Health and Safety Code Sections 13113.7 and 17926 requiring smoke alarms in all existing residential dwellings. Smoke alarms must be installed inside each bedroom, outside each sleeping area in the immediate vicinity, and on every level of the home including basements. As of July 1, 2014, all replacement smoke alarms must be 10-year sealed battery type or hardwired. Carbon monoxide alarms are required under California Health and Safety Code Section 17926.1 in homes with fossil fuel-burning appliances, attached garages, or fireplaces. Landlords must ensure working smoke and CO alarms at move-in per California Civil Code Section 1941.7. OCFA provides fire safety information at (714) 573-6000.
Violations & Fines
Failure to maintain working smoke detectors is a fire code violation enforceable by OCFA. Landlords who fail to provide working alarms face civil liability. OCFA can be reached at (714) 573-6000 for fire safety questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do smoke detectors need to be installed in Garden Grove homes?
Do I need a carbon monoxide alarm in my Garden Grove home?
Are landlords required to provide smoke detectors in Garden Grove rentals?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Garden Grove
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