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

Smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarm requirements in unincorporated San Benito County come from statewide California law, which the County adopts through its Building Standards Code (County Code Title 21, Article II, adopting the California Building Standards Code). California Health & Safety Code section 13113.7 requires operable smoke alarms in every dwelling intended for human occupancy - in each bedroom, outside sleeping areas, and on every level - and a single-family home or factory-built home must have an operable smoke alarm at the point of sale. California Health & Safety Code section 17926 requires a carbon monoxide alarm, approved and listed by the State Fire Marshal, in 'each existing dwelling unit having a fossil fuel burning heater or appliance, fireplace, or an attached garage.' For rentals, the landlord is responsible for installing and ensuring the alarms work at the start of tenancy; for sales, the seller must have alarms in place. Modern California Building Code requirements (for new construction and major remodels permitted in the unincorporated county) layer on additional placement and hard-wiring/interconnection rules. Because much of rural San Benito County uses propane heat, wood stoves, and detached or attached garages, the CO-alarm requirement applies broadly. There is no separate county-specific alarm ordinance beyond the adopted state code.