Lassen County, CA Fire Regulations: Smoke Detectors (2026)

No Lassen County-specific smoke-detector ordinance was identified; the controlling requirements are California statewide laws applied through the county's adoption of the California Residential Code (CRC) and California Building Code. Under California Health & Safety Code sections 13113.7 and 13113.8, smoke alarms are required in all dwelling units intended for human occupancy, and at point of sale or rental the transferor must ensure the property has operable smoke alarms. The California Residential Code requires smoke alarms in each sleeping room, outside each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of bedrooms, and on every story including basements. Carbon-monoxide alarms are required by the Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention Act of 2010 (SB 183; Health & Safety Code 17926) in every dwelling unit that has a fossil-fuel-burning heater or appliance, a fireplace, or an attached garage — single-family homes were required to comply by July 1, 2011, and multifamily units by January 1, 2013. CO alarms must be installed outside each sleeping area and on each level of the home. In Lassen County, building permits, alarm placement, and rental and resale compliance are administered by the Lassen County Planning and Building Services Department. New construction and substantial remodels must meet current CRC alarm standards, typically including hardwired, interconnected alarms with battery backup.