Mountain View, CA Fire Regulations: Smoke Detectors (2026)
Key Facts
- Every bedroom
- Smoke alarm required
- Every floor
- Smoke alarm required
- CO alarms
- With fuel appliances or garage
- Battery standard
- 10-year sealed since 2015
- Rental check
- Every tenant turnover
Summary
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.
13113.7.
(a) (1) Except as otherwise provided in this section, smoke alarms, approved and listed by the State Fire Marshal pursuant to Section 13114 at the time of installation, shall be installed, in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions in each dwelling intended for human occupancy.
(2) For all dwelling units intended for human occupancy for which a building permit is issued on or after January 1, 2014, for alterations, repairs, or additions exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000), the permit issuer shall not sign off on the completion of work until the permittee demonstrates that all smoke alarms required for the dwelling unit are devices approved and listed by the State Fire Marshal pursuant to Section 13114.
(d) (2) The owner of a hotel, motel, lodging house, apartment complex, or other multiple-dwelling complex in which units are rented or leased, and commencing January 1, 2014, the owner of a single-family dwelling that is rented or leased, shall be responsible for testing and maintaining alarms required by this section.
(e) A violation of this section is an infraction punishable by a maximum fine of two hundred dollars ($200) for each offense.
Full Breakdown
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a landlord require the tenant to maintain alarms?
Do I need a CO alarm if I have all electric appliances?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Mountain View
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