Shoreline, WA Fire Regulations: Smoke Detectors (2026)

Shoreline folds its smoke and fire alarm requirements into the fire code amendments at SMC § 15.05.050. Section 907.2.9 requires fire alarm systems and smoke alarms in every Group R-2 occupancy (apartment and condo buildings) as detailed in Sections 907.2.9.1 through 907.2.9.4, and a new Section 907.2.10.8 pins down exactly where detectors go inside those buildings, including within 5 feet of pressurized stairway doors, at elevator lobbies, fire control rooms, electrical rooms, trash rooms and storage rooms over 100 square feet, with corridor spacing capped at 100 feet.

Section 907.2.24 separately requires an automatic and manual fire alarm system in any newly constructed building of 3,000 square feet or more, though Group R Division 3 and 4 (single-family and duplex) and Group U occupancies with adequate fire flow are exempted from that system-wide mandate; instead, those dwelling units must carry interconnected single-station smoke detectors under RCW 48.48.140 and WAC 212-10, the state smoke detector law Shoreline's code cross-references directly. Section 907.2.25 adds a maintenance trigger: any occupancy undergoing a remodel or tenant improvement that already has smoke detectors 10 years old or older must replace every one of them with modern units, and any occupancy without detection at all must add it to current International Residential Code or International Building Code standards.

The Shoreline Fire Department, acting as fire code official, administers and inspects these systems as part of the same building and fire permit process that governs any other construction work in the city.