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

San Bernardino County does not appear to publish a fire-alarm ordinance separate from California statewide requirements; the County Fire District enforces the California Fire Code (2022 edition, adopted via Ordinance FPD 23-01) and the California Building/Residential Codes, which incorporate these alarm rules. Under California Health & Safety Code 13113.7, smoke alarms are required in every dwelling unit intended for human occupancy. Owners of rentals, apartments, hotels, and (since January 1, 2014) single-family rental homes are responsible for installing, testing, and maintaining the required smoke alarms. The California Building/Residential Code requires alarms inside each bedroom, outside each sleeping area, and on every level of the home. Under California Health & Safety Code 17926 (the Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention Act of 2010), carbon monoxide alarms are required in all dwelling units that have a fossil-fuel-burning appliance, a fireplace, or an attached garage. Landlords must repair or replace devices when notified in writing by a tenant that an alarm is inoperable. For new construction and major remodels, the County's adopted Building and Fire Codes require hard-wired, interconnected smoke alarms with battery backup. Because no stricter county-specific ordinance was identified, these state requirements set the standard for unincorporated San Bernardino County dwellings.