Hayward, CA Fire Regulations: Smoke Detectors (2026)
Key Facts
- Required locations
- Bedrooms, halls, each level
- Battery type
- 10-yr sealed lithium
- CO alarms
- Required with gas or garage
- Replacement
- Every 10 years
- Rental inspections
- Verified at turnover
Summary
Hayward requires working smoke alarms in every bedroom, hallway, and level per California Building Code and Health and Safety Code 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.
(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 Section 13113.7 and the California Residential Code require smoke alarms in every sleeping room, in the hallway outside each sleeping area, and on every level of the home including basements. Hayward enforces this on all dwellings at point of sale, during permitted remodels, and in rental units. Since July 2015, all new or replacement battery-only smoke alarms sold in California must be 10-year sealed lithium battery units per SB 745. Hardwired interconnected alarms with battery backup are required in new construction and substantial remodels. Carbon monoxide alarms are separately required under SB 183 in any home with fuel-burning appliances or an attached garage. Alarms must be tested monthly and replaced every 10 years from the manufacture date stamped on the unit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are battery-only alarms still legal?
Who is responsible in a rental?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Hayward
California rules heatmap·Compare Hayward to another location·View the California fire regulations overview
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