California law requires working smoke alarms in all dwellings, and carbon monoxide alarms in any home with fuel appliances or an attached garage. Mountain View enforces these on sale and at rental turnover.
Mountain View follows California Health and Safety Code 13113.7 and 17926 along with the California Residential Code. Smoke alarms are required in each sleeping room, outside each sleeping area, and on every level of a dwelling including basements. Alarms installed on or after 2015 must be 10-year sealed battery models or hardwired with battery backup. Carbon monoxide alarms are required in any dwelling with a fuel-burning appliance, fireplace, or attached garage. Mountain View Fire Department and Code Enforcement check for compliance during rental inspections, complaint investigations, and building permit finals. Landlords must confirm alarms are operational at each tenant turnover, and home sellers must disclose compliance at close of escrow.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
See how other cities in Santa Clara County handle smoke detectors.
See how Mountain View's smoke detectors rules stack up against other locations.
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