Montgomery County, MD Fire Regulations: Smoke Detectors (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing law
- County Code § 22-96
- Coverage
- Every sleeping area + stairway
- New construction
- Hard-wired detector required
- Existing homes
- Battery or plug-in allowed
- Penalty class
- Class A violation, § 22-22
Summary
Montgomery County Code Chapter 22 requires owners of every dwelling unit to install a smoke detector in each sleeping area and near every stairway, hard-wired in new construction, enforced as a fire code violation.
It shall be the responsibility of the owner of each new and existing occupied dwelling unit to install smoke detectors in each such dwelling unit as hereinafter provided. Said smoke detectors shall be either the ionization or photo-electric type capable of sensing visible or invisible particles of combustion and providing a suitable audible alarm thereof; further, they shall be installed by July 1, 1978, in the manner hereinafter provided.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-90: Montgomery County Code contains legislation effective through May 7, 2026 | Zoning Updated Effective: April 13, 2026 | COMCOR Regulations effective as of July 1, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Section 22-96 requires the owner of every new and existing occupied dwelling to install at least one smoke detector protecting each sleeping area and one near every stairway leading to an occupied floor, so rising smoke reaches it before bypassing to living space. New residential dwellings must have detectors hard-wired to the building's power supply; other existing dwellings may use a self-monitored battery or a plug-in outlet with a restrainer device. A seller, lessor or sublessor must provide working detectors before every change of occupancy.
Violations & Fines
Failure to install or maintain required smoke detectors is a Class A violation under Sec. 22-22: up to $1,000 and 6 months jail criminally, or a $500 first-offense / $750 repeat civil fine; each day is separate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a hard-wired smoke detector in an existing home?
Who enforces Montgomery County's smoke detector rule?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Montgomery County
Compare Montgomery County to another location·View the Maryland fire regulations overview
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