Lawrenceville Code of Ordinances Section 22-1 adopts the Gwinnett County fire code by reference, which incorporates the 2018 International Fire Code and Georgia state smoke-detector law (O.C.G.A. 25-2-40). Smoke alarms are required in every dwelling, on every story (including basements), and outside each sleeping area, with hardwired interconnected alarms required in new construction.
Section 22-1 of the Lawrenceville Code of Ordinances (Chapter 22, Fire Prevention) adopts the fire code of Gwinnett County, which is set out in Chapter 42 of the Gwinnett County Code and which incorporates the 2018 edition of the International Fire Code. Through this adoption, Lawrenceville also enforces O.C.G.A. 25-2-40, the Georgia statewide smoke detector law: every new dwelling, apartment unit, condominium, townhouse, motel, hotel, and dormitory built on or after July 1, 1987 must be provided with an approved listed smoke detector installed per manufacturer instructions, with a detector on each story (including cellars and basements but excluding uninhabitable attics). Existing dwellings constructed before July 1, 1987 must be equipped with at least an approved battery-operated smoke detector maintained in good working order, effective July 1, 1994. The 2018 IFC and IRC require smoke alarms inside every sleeping room, outside each sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of bedrooms, and on each additional story. New construction requires hardwired alarms with battery backup and interconnection. The Gwinnett County Fire Marshal (678-518-4980) inspects rental, hotel, and assembly occupancies for Lawrenceville under the adopted code.
Failing to install or maintain a working smoke detector on each story or outside sleeping areas, removing batteries from a required alarm, or operating a rental, hotel, or motel without compliant detectors violates O.C.G.A. 25-2-40 as adopted through Section 22-1. Enforcement is by the Gwinnett County Fire Marshal and Lawrenceville code officials, with fines up to $1,000 per violation in the city's municipal court.
See how other cities in Gwinnett County handle smoke detectors.
See how Lawrenceville's smoke detectors rules stack up against other locations.
Quick Compare
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.