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Henrico County, VA Fire Regulations: Smoke Detectors (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified July 2026

Key Facts

Required in
Every building with a dwelling unit
Also covers
Hotels, motels, roominghouses
Owner inspection
Annually, with records kept
Landlord certificate
Every 12 months to tenant
Power type
Battery or AC allowed

Summary

Henrico requires smoke alarms in every building with a dwelling unit, plus hotels, motels, and roominghouses. Owners must inspect alarms annually; landlords must certify working alarms to tenants no more than once every 12 months.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Henrico County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

Smoke alarms must be installed in the following structures or buildings if smoke alarms have not been installed in accordance with the building code: (1) Any building containing one or more dwelling units; (2) Any hotel or motel...; and (3) Any roominghouses regularly used, offered for, or intended to be used to provide overnight sleeping accommodations.

View official code

Full Breakdown

Section 6-56 requires smoke alarms in any building containing one or more dwelling units, and in hotels, motels, and roominghouses, if not already installed to building code. Alarms may be battery- or AC-powered and must be maintained per the Statewide Fire Prevention Code (§ 6-57). Owners must inspect each alarm annually and keep records (§ 6-58). For rentals, the owner must give the tenant a certificate that alarms are present and in good working order no more than once every 12 months; interim upkeep is the tenant's responsibility under Va. Code § 55.1-1227 (§ 6-59).

Violations & Fines

Smoke-alarm requirements are enforced by the building official or fire chief; noncompliance is a code violation subject to correction orders and penalties under the Statewide Fire Prevention Code.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are smoke alarms required in Henrico rentals?
Yes. Landlords must certify in writing, no more than once every 12 months, that all smoke alarms are present, inspected, and in good working order.
Who maintains alarms in a rental unit?
Except in common areas, interim testing, repair, and maintenance of alarms in a rented dwelling unit are the tenant's responsibility under Va. Code § 55.1-1227.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Henrico County

Noise Ordinances: Quiet HoursSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Construction HoursSome RestrictionsFire Pits & Backyard FiresSome RestrictionsFireworksSome RestrictionsBrush ClearanceSome RestrictionsOutdoor BurningSome RestrictionsWildfire ZonesSome RestrictionsPropane StorageSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Aircraft NoiseFew RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Leaf Blower RulesSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Barking DogsSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Amplified Music & Outdoor SoundSome Restrictions

All Henrico County rules

Compare Henrico County to another location·View the Virginia fire regulations overview

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