Pacifica, CA Fire Regulations: Smoke Detectors (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Pacifica Municipal Code § 4-13.01
- Applies to
- Single-family, mobile home, multi-family dwellings
- Repair deadline (rentals)
- 7 days after tenant's written notice
- Civil penalty
- $400 plus actual damages, costs, fees
- Standard
- Title 8 building code requirements
Summary
In the City of Pacifica, every dwelling unit, including single-family homes, mobile homes and multi-family buildings, must have and maintain smoke detectors that meet Title 8 building standards. Rental property owners must keep detectors working and repair or replace a reported bad unit within seven days. Violations can bring a civil action with a $400 penalty on top of damages.
Every dwelling unit, including single-family dwellings, mobile homes, multiple-family dwellings, and all buildings or dwellings subject to the provisions of Title 8 of this Code, shall provide and maintain smoke detectors pursuant to the requirements and standards contained in said Title 8. ... Every smoke detector required by this chapter ... for any rental dwelling, including single-family and duplex dwellings, mobile homes, and multiple-family homes, shall be maintained in operable condition by the owner of the dwelling unit. ... Upon such notification by the occupant that a smoke detector in a dwelling unit is not in proper working order, the owner shall have such smoke detector repaired or replaced within seven (7) days.
Full Breakdown
Chapter 13 of Title 4 of the Pacifica Municipal Code, Fire Detection Systems, requires every dwelling unit in the City, whether a single-family home, mobile home or unit in a multiple-family building, to provide and maintain smoke detectors that meet the standards in Title 8 of the Code. 03 treats every required smoke detector as a fixture for purposes of a property title transfer, so it stays with the house when it sells. 04: an owner-occupant of a single-family or duplex home or mobile home must keep the required detectors in proper working order at all times, while for rental dwellings the owner must ensure every required detector is installed and working each time a new occupant takes possession.
After that, the tenant is responsible for regularly testing the detectors and must notify the owner in writing of any problem, and once notified the owner has seven days to have the detector repaired or replaced. 08 lets the City, a buyer, a renter or another aggrieved party bring a civil action for damages and compliance.
Violations & Fines
Section 4-13.08 authorizes a civil action, by the City, a buyer, a renter, or another aggrieved party, for actual damages, costs, attorneys' fees, and an added civil penalty of $400.00 against an owner or tenant who fails to install, maintain, repair or replace a required smoke detector under Chapter 13. That civil remedy does not limit any other right or remedy otherwise available in law.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are landlords required to maintain smoke detectors in Pacifica rentals?
What happens if my landlord ignores a broken smoke detector I reported?
Does replacing an old smoke detector require a specific new model in Pacifica?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Pacifica
California rules heatmap·Compare Pacifica to another location·View the California fire regulations overview
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How other cities in San Mateo County handle smoke detectors.