There is no special Chatham County smoke-alarm ordinance; the statewide rule (O.C.G.A. Sec. 25-2-40) applies. Every dwelling must have an approved smoke detector installed on each story, including basements. New homes are hard-wired under the adopted codes; pre-1987 homes need at least a working battery detector.
Georgia's statewide smoke-detector law, O.C.G.A. Sec. 25-2-40, requires an approved, listed smoke detector in every dwelling and dwelling unit. Homes built on or after July 1, 1987 must have detectors installed per the manufacturer's listing (new construction is hard-wired under the adopted building codes); dwellings built before then must have at least an approved battery-operated smoke detector kept in good working order. In multi-story homes a detector is required on each story, including cellars and basements but not uninhabitable attics. Carbon-monoxide alarms follow the state's adopted International Residential and Fire Codes. Chatham County and its cities enforce these through the state minimum codes; there is no stricter local smoke-alarm ordinance.
An occupant who fails to keep a required smoke detector working faces a maximum $25 fine, with a warning issued for a first violation (O.C.G.A. Sec. 25-2-40). Building and fire inspectors require compliant alarms before permits are finalized.
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