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Riverside, CA Fire Regulations: Smoke Detectors (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

10-year Sealed-battery
10-year sealed-battery alarms required (SB 745)
Alarms In
Alarms in each bedroom + outside sleeping + each floor
Hardwired Interconnected
Hardwired interconnected required in new builds
Co Alarms
CO alarms required with gas or attached garage
Riverside Fire
Riverside Fire: free alarms for qualifying households

Summary

California requires 10-year sealed-battery smoke alarms in every Riverside dwelling under H&S Code 13113.7, plus CO alarms and hardwired units in new construction.

(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 [...] (B) At the time that a new tenancy is created, the owner shall ensure that smoke alarms are operable. The tenant shall be responsible for notifying the manager or owner if the tenant becomes aware of an inoperable smoke alarm within his or her unit. [...] (e) A violation of this section is an infraction punishable by a maximum fine of two hundred dollars ($200) for each offense.

Source: CA Health & Safety Code 13113.7View official code

Full Breakdown

Under California Health & Safety Code 13113.7 and the California Residential Code, every dwelling unit in Riverside must have working smoke alarms in each bedroom, immediately outside sleeping areas, and on every floor including basements. Since July 1, 2015, any replacement battery-only alarm must be a 10-year non-removable sealed-lithium-battery unit with a hush button, per SB 745. Newly constructed dwellings and substantial remodels (permit valuation > $1,000) require hardwired interconnected alarms with battery backup. Carbon monoxide alarms are separately required by SB 183 in any dwelling with a fuel-burning appliance, fireplace, or attached garage. Point-of-sale and rental-turnover inspections commonly check compliance. Riverside Fire offers free or subsidized alarms for qualifying low-income and senior households.

Violations & Fines

Missing or non-compliant alarms can block real-estate transactions, rental certificates of occupancy, and are citable infractions up to $200 per unit under H&S Code 13113.8.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do rentals need the 10-year sealed alarms?
Yes. Landlords must provide compliant alarms at turnover; tenants are responsible for testing and replacing batteries in non-sealed legacy units during tenancy.
How often should I replace smoke alarms?
Every 10 years regardless of model. Sealed-battery models expire at 10 years and must be replaced as a unit.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Riverside

All Riverside rules

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