Louisville, KY Fire Regulations: Smoke Detectors (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing law
- Louisville Metro Code § 94.02–94.04
- Power source
- Hardwired AC or 10-yr sealed lithium
- Alarm type
- Ionization or photoelectric, lab-listed
- Enforcement
- Fire Dept./Fire District/Code Official
- Remediation cost cap
- $50 plus other fines/fees
Summary
Louisville Metro requires every dwelling to have a smoke alarm on hardwired AC power or a sealed non-removable 10-year lithium battery, placed near sleeping areas under NFPA 72 standards.
(A) All dwellings' smoke alarms powered by a hard wire AC primary power source or a self-monitored, non-removal ten-year lithium battery shall be installed and maintained after the effective date of this subchapter. (B) In order to comply with this subchapter, only ionization or photoelectric type alarms listed by a nationally recognized testing laboratory shall be installed.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-47: Supplement contains: Local legislation current through Ordinances passed by the Council and approved by the Mayor as of July 1, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Louisville Metro Code § 94.02 requires all dwellings to have smoke alarms powered by a hardwired AC source or a self-monitored, non-removable ten-year lithium battery, using only ionization or photoelectric units listed by a nationally recognized testing lab. Alarms must sit near sleeping areas per NFPA 72. Under § 94.03 the owner supplies and installs alarms and gives tenants maintenance instructions; tenants must test and maintain alarms within their control and notify the owner in writing of any failure, which the owner must fix within ten days. Owners must also test alarms at every change of tenancy and before any property transfer.
Violations & Fines
Fire Department, Fire District, or Code Official inspectors enforce compliance under § 94.04. If an owner fails to fix a § 94.02(A) violation, an inspector may install a replacement alarm and bill the owner for remediation, capped at $50 exclusive of any other fines, fees, or penalties assessed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of smoke alarm does Louisville require?
Who has to maintain the smoke alarms, landlord or tenant?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Louisville
Compare Louisville to another location·View the Kentucky fire regulations overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.