Lawrence, MA Fire Regulations: Smoke Detectors (2026)
Key Facts
- Certificate fee
- $10.00 (8.04.090)
- State statute referenced
- M.G.L. c. 148, §§ 26C, 26E, 26F
- Paid to
- Lawrence Fire Department
- Related building-permit fee
- $30 residential / $60 commercial per building
- General penalty for noncompliance
- Up to $300 per offense
Summary
Lawrence's fire department charges $10.00 for a certificate of compliance with General Laws Chapter 148, Sections 26C, 26E and 26F, the state smoke-detector statutes, under Municipal Code 8.04.090. The certificate is one of a list of fire-department licenses, permits and certificates payable at the time of application.
8.04.090 - Licenses, permits and certificates—Fees. Every applicant for the following listed licenses, permits and certificates shall pay to the fire department at the time of making application for such license, permit or certificate the following amounts: ... Certificate of compliance with General Laws chapter 148, sections 26C, 26E and 26F (smoke detectors) .....10.00
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 8).
Full Breakdown
04 Fire Prevention Regulations, requires "every applicant for the following listed licenses, permits and certificates" to pay the fire department "at the time of making application for such license, permit or certificate" a schedule of set amounts. 00 certificate of inspection for wood stove installations. c. 148, §§ 26C, 26E and 26F, which the city enforces locally by requiring this paid certificate before the fire department will sign off on compliance. 04 or the Code. 00 each additional), which applies to the building-permit side of a smoke-detector installation rather than the fire-department compliance certificate itself.
Violations & Fines
Chapter 8.04 does not print a separate fine specific to the smoke-detector certificate; enforcement for failing to obtain a required fire department license, permit or certificate falls under the general ordinance penalty at Section 1.16.010, punishable by a fine of not more than $300.00 per offense under General Laws Chapter 40, Section 21D, with each day of continued noncompliance a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Lawrence charge a fee for smoke detector compliance?
Does the city ordinance itself require smoke detectors?
Is there a separate smoke detector fee tied to building permits?
What happens if I don't get the compliance certificate?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lawrence
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