Medford, OR Fire Regulations: Smoke Detectors (2026)
Key Facts
- Occupancy groups covered
- R-2, R-3, R-4, and unregulated dwellings
- Required locations
- Outside sleeping areas, in bedrooms, each story
- Split-level exception
- Upper-level alarm can cover lower level
- Governing section
- IPMC § 704.2, amended by § 9.901
- Max penalty
- $5,000, or $1,000/day continuing
Summary
Medford requires smoke alarms in every Group R-2, R-3, R-4, and unregulated dwelling, placed outside each sleeping area, inside every bedroom, and on every story including basements. This amended standard, IPMC § 704.2, was adopted at Medford Municipal Code § 9.901 and is enforced through the Property Maintenance Code's civil penalty process.
704.2 Smoke Alarms. Single or multiple-station smoke alarms shall be installed and maintained in Groups R-2, R-3, R-4 and in dwellings not regulated in Group R, regardless of occupant load at all of the following locations: 1. On the ceiling or wall outside of each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of bedrooms. 2. In each room used for sleeping purposes. 3. In each story within a dwelling unit, including basements and cellars but not including crawl spaces and uninhabitable attics. In dwellings or dwelling units with split levels and without an intervening door between the adjacent levels, a smoke alarm installed on the upper level shall suffice for the adjacent lower level provided that the lower level is less than one full story below the upper level.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 2026-32, passed May 6, 2026).
Full Breakdown
2, Smoke Alarms, to require single- or multiple-station smoke alarms in Groups R-2, R-3, and R-4 occupancies, and in any dwelling not otherwise regulated in Group R, regardless of occupant load, at three specific locations: on the ceiling or wall outside each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of bedrooms; inside each room used for sleeping purposes; and on each story of a dwelling unit, including basements and cellars but excluding crawl spaces and uninhabitable attics. For split-level units without a door between adjacent levels, a smoke alarm on the upper level can cover the lower level if that lower level is less than a full story below it.
Occupancies outside those residential groups still need smoke alarms, but under the general Oregon Specialty Codes requirement rather than this local placement list. 1. All three sit inside the 2016 Property Maintenance Code amendment package under Ord. No. 2016-56.
Violations & Fines
Missing or non-functioning smoke alarms in the locations § 704.2 requires are a Property Maintenance Code violation under Medford Municipal Code § 9.901, enforced under §§ 9.660-9.662. After a Notice of Civil Violation and an opportunity to correct, the Building Official can impose an administrative civil penalty of up to $5,000, or $1,000 per day for a continuing violation, appealable to the Unified Board of Appeals within ten business days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Medford basement need its own smoke alarm?
Do split-level homes in Medford need an alarm on every level?
What triggers a penalty for missing smoke alarms in Medford?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Medford
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