San Bernardino County, CA Fire Regulations: Smoke Detectors (2026)

California Health and Safety Code 13113.7 and the California Residential Code (CRC R314) make smoke alarms mandatory in every single-family home, apartment, duplex, mobile home, and short-term rental in the state. The required placement is: (1) inside each sleeping room (bedroom); (2) outside each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity (typically the hallway); (3) on every story of the dwelling including basements. Alarms installed on or after July 1, 2014 must be either hardwired with battery backup or powered by a 10-year non-replaceable sealed lithium battery, and must be listed to the UL 217 standard. Existing homes with older alarms must upgrade at point of sale (required by seller transfer disclosure), with alterations or additions requiring a building permit, and when any smoke alarm fails. Rental properties require landlords to install and test alarms before occupancy and after any tenant request. In mountain communities at high wildfire risk (Big Bear, Lake Arrowhead, Running Springs, Forest Falls, Oak Glen, Wrightwood), San Bernardino County Fire Protection District home hardening programs often bundle smoke alarm checks with defensible space inspections. Carbon monoxide alarms are required separately under H&S Code 13263 for any dwelling with fuel-burning appliances, attached garage, or fireplace. Short-term rentals under Joshua Tree and desert STR programs often require documented alarm testing each stay.