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Riverside County, CA Fire Regulations: Smoke Detectors (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified June 2026

Key Facts

Governing law
California HSC 13113.7 (smoke) & 13113.8 (CO); adopted CA Residential/Fire Code
Smoke alarm locations
Each bedroom, outside each sleeping area, and every story/level
Interconnection
Required in new/remodeled construction (activation of one sounds all)
Battery type
Battery-only units must use a sealed 10-year non-replaceable battery (state standard)
CO alarms required where
Fuel-burning appliance, fireplace, or attached garage (HSC 13113.8)
Listing
Alarms must be State Fire Marshal-listed

Summary

Smoke alarm requirements in unincorporated Riverside County follow California state law (Health & Safety Code 13113.7) and the adopted California Fire/Residential Code (via Ord. 787). Alarms are required in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area, and on every level. Carbon monoxide alarms are required in dwellings with a fuel-burning appliance, fireplace, or attached garage under HSC 13113.8.

City-specific rules exist: Moreno Valley, Temecula, Corona, Riverside, Murrieta, and Palm Springs have their own smoke detectors rules that differ from Riverside County's county-level regulations. If you live in one of those cities, check the city-specific page instead.

(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. [...] (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: (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. [...] (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.

Source: CA H&S Code §13113.7View official code

Full Breakdown

Riverside County does not impose a unique smoke-alarm ordinance; it enforces the statewide standard through its adoption of the California Fire Code and California Residential Code (Ordinance 787 adopts the Fire Code; the County Building Code adopts the Residential Code). 7 and the California Residential Code, approved smoke alarms (listed by the State Fire Marshal) must be installed in each bedroom, in the hallway or area outside each separate sleeping area, and on every story of a dwelling, including basements, regardless of whether that level has a bedroom.

Where more than one alarm is required, alarms in new and substantially remodeled construction must be interconnected so activation of one sounds all, and they must be audible in all bedrooms over background noise with intervening doors closed. Battery-only alarms are accepted in existing dwellings if compliant at installation; California also requires that battery-operated alarms sold and installed use a non-replaceable 10-year battery (per the State Fire Marshal listing standards). 8 in every dwelling unit that has a fossil-fuel-burning appliance, a fireplace, or an attached garage, installed outside each sleeping area and on each level. Alarms must be tested and maintained; for rental property the owner is responsible for installation and maintenance.

Violations & Fines

Smoke- and CO-alarm requirements are state law enforced locally through code compliance and at point of sale/remodel permitting. California HSC provides for civil penalties for landlords who fail to install required alarms (commonly cited up to $200 per violation after notice under HSC 13113.7/13263). Building permits for additions or alterations to existing dwellings typically trigger a requirement to bring smoke/CO alarms up to current code.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do smoke alarms have to be installed in a Riverside County home?
Under California Health & Safety Code 13113.7 and the adopted Residential Code, smoke alarms must be installed in each bedroom, in the hallway or area immediately outside each separate sleeping area, and on every story of the dwelling including basements: even floors without bedrooms. In new or substantially remodeled homes they must be interconnected.
Do I need carbon monoxide detectors too?
Yes, if your dwelling has a fuel-burning appliance (gas furnace, water heater, stove), a fireplace, or an attached garage. California HSC 13113.8 requires CO alarms outside each sleeping area and on every level of those dwellings. This is state law that Riverside County enforces; there is no separate County ordinance.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Riverside County

All Riverside County rules

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