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

There is no separate Kings County smoke-detector ordinance; the requirement comes from California state law applied through the codes Kings County adopts. Kings County Code Section 10-1 adopts the 2019 California Fire Code, and the county also adopts the California Building/Residential Code through Chapter 5 of its code. Under California Health & Safety Code Section 13113.7, State Fire Marshal-approved and listed smoke alarms must be installed in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions in every dwelling intended for human occupancy, including single- and two-unit dwellings, apartments, condominiums, and similar residences. For rental housing, the owner must ensure the smoke alarms are operable at the start of each new tenancy, and as of January 1, 2016 owners had to install additional alarms as needed to meet current building standards. New smoke alarms may be battery-operated if approved by the State Fire Marshal. The California Building Code and Residential Code require smoke alarms in each sleeping room, outside each sleeping area, and on every level of a dwelling for new construction and certain alterations; carbon monoxide alarms are separately required under California Health & Safety Code Section 13260 et seq.