San Francisco, CA Fire Regulations: Smoke Detectors (2026)
Key Facts
- Requirements
- Required in every bedroom, outside sleeping areas, every floor
- Hardwired +
- Hardwired + battery backup for new construction/remodels
- Residential
- 10-year sealed battery OK for existing single-family
- Requirements
- CO alarms required if fuel appliance, fireplace, or attached garage
- Alarms Older
- Alarms older than 10 years must be replaced
Summary
San Francisco Housing Code Section 1301 and California Health & Safety Code 13113.7 require working smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area, and on every floor. Hardwired with battery backup is required for new construction; 10-year sealed battery alarms acceptable for existing single-family homes.
13113.7.
(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.
(3) However, if any local rule, regulation, or ordinance, adopted prior to January 1, 1987, requires installation in a dwelling unit intended for human occupancy of smoke alarms which receive their power from the electrical system of the building and requires compliance with the local rule, regulation, or ordinance at a date subsequent to the dates specified in this section, the compliance date specified in the rule, regulation, or ordinance shall, but only with respect to the dwelling units specified in this section, take precedence over the date specified in this section.
(4) Unless prohibited by local rules, regulations, or ordinances, a battery-operated smoke alarm, which otherwise met the standards adopted pursuant to Section 13114 for smoke alarms at the time of installation, satisfies the requirements of this section.
Full Breakdown
Smoke alarm requirements in SF combine state law (H&S 13113.7, CBC Section 907.2) with local enforcement. Required locations: inside every bedroom, in the hallway immediately outside each sleeping area, and on every level of a dwelling including basements. For new construction, significant remodels, or sales, alarms must be hardwired to the building's power with battery backup and interconnected so one triggers all. Existing single-family homes may use 10-year sealed-lithium-battery alarms. Rental units must be inspected by the owner annually and at every tenant turnover, and the owner must provide operable alarms. Carbon monoxide alarms are separately required under SB 183 in any dwelling with a fuel-burning appliance, fireplace, or attached garage. SF Fire Department can inspect on complaint and issue Notices of Violation; landlords face administrative penalties through the Department of Building Inspection. At point-of-sale, sellers must disclose and certify compliance. Alarms older than 10 years must be replaced regardless of battery status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need hardwired alarms in my existing home?
Who is responsible in a rental?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Francisco
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