Washoe County, NV Fire Regulations: Smoke Detectors (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing law
- NRS 477.140 (state)
- Hotels/motels
- 6+ guest rooms covered
- Apartments
- 3+ dwelling units covered
- New homes
- Interconnected alarms required
- CO alarms
- Near fuel-burning appliances
Summary
Washoe County follows Nevada state law. NRS 477.140 requires hotels/motels with at least six guest rooms and apartment buildings with at least three units to equip each sleeping room and dwelling unit with an approved smoke detector.
The owner or operator of every hotel or motel which contains at least six guest rooms, or apartment building with at least three dwelling units, shall equip each room primarily used for sleeping in a hotel or motel and each dwelling unit in an apartment building with a smoke detector, the placement of which is approved by the authority.
Full Breakdown
The county does not set a separate smoke-detector rule; it enforces Nevada statute and the adopted building/fire codes. Under NRS 477.140, owners of hotels or motels with six or more guest rooms, and apartment buildings with three or more dwelling units, must equip each sleeping room and each unit with a smoke detector whose placement is approved by the authority. New residential construction must install interconnected smoke alarms per the adopted International Residential/Fire Code, generally inside each bedroom, outside each sleeping area, and on every level. Carbon monoxide alarms are required near sleeping areas where fuel-burning appliances or an attached garage are present.
Violations & Fines
Non-compliance is enforced through the State Fire Marshal and local building/fire code officials; landlords who fail to provide working detectors face code-enforcement action and habitability claims.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my landlord have to provide smoke detectors?
Are carbon monoxide alarms required in Nevada?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Washoe County
Compare Washoe County to another location·View the Nevada fire regulations overview
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