Ramsey County, MN Fire Regulations: Smoke Detectors (2026)
Key Facts
- Requirement
- Alarm in every dwelling unit
- Governing law
- Minn. Stat. 299F.362
- Placement standard
- State Fire Code (Ch. 7511)
- Disabling penalty
- Misdemeanor if harm results
- County rule
- None; statewide standard
Summary
Minnesota law requires every dwelling unit to have a smoke alarm meeting the State Fire Code. This applies statewide across Ramsey County; disabling an alarm that causes injury or damage is a misdemeanor.
Every dwelling unit within a dwelling must be provided with a smoke alarm meeting the requirements of the State Fire Code.
Full Breakdown
Under Minn. Stat. 299F.362, every dwelling unit within a dwelling must have a smoke alarm meeting the requirements of the State Fire Code, and every apartment unit and every hotel or lodging-house sleeping room must be similarly equipped. Placement follows the Minnesota State Fire Code (Minn. Rules Ch. 7511, adopting the International Fire Code), which generally requires alarms in each sleeping room, outside each sleeping area, and on every level. This is a uniform statewide requirement; Ramsey County adds no separate smoke-alarm ordinance. Landlords must supply and maintain alarms; occupants must not disable them.
Violations & Fines
An occupant who willfully disables a smoke alarm, resulting in damage or injury, is guilty of a misdemeanor under Minn. Stat. 299F.362, subd. 6.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are smoke alarms required in Ramsey County rentals?
Is it illegal to disable a smoke alarm?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Ramsey County
Compare Ramsey County to another location·View the Minnesota fire regulations overview
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