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Milwaukee County, WI Fire Regulations: Smoke Detectors (2026)

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

Key Facts

Authority
Wis. Stat. 101.145 (state law)
Required locations
Basement, stair heads, sleeping areas
Owner duty
Install and maintain functional detectors
Penalty
Up to $50 per day of violation
CO detectors
Separate rule, Wis. Stat. 101.149

Summary

Smoke detector rules in Milwaukee County come from Wisconsin state law, Wis. Stat. 101.145, not a county ordinance. Owners must install detectors in the basement, at each stairway head, and in or near each sleeping area, on penalty of up to $50 per day.

City-specific rules exist: Milwaukee, and West Allis have their own smoke detectors rules that differ from Milwaukee County's county-level regulations. If you live in one of those cities, check the city-specific page instead.

Whoever violates this section shall forfeit to the state not more than $50 for each day of violation.

View official code

Full Breakdown

Smoke detector requirements in Milwaukee County are set statewide by Wis. Stat. 101.145 under the state building code, administered by the Department of Safety and Professional Services; this is not a county matter. The statute requires a residential-building owner to install and maintain a functional smoke detector in the basement, at the head of any stairway on each floor level, and either in each sleeping area or within 6 feet of it and not in a kitchen. Rooms separated by a kitchen or living room are separate sleeping areas, but rooms separated only by a bathroom are not. Each detector must bear a UL or equivalent listing mark. Wis. Stat. 101.149 separately mandates carbon monoxide detectors.

Violations & Fines

Under Wis. Stat. 101.145, whoever violates the section shall forfeit to the state not more than $50 for each day of violation. Enforcement occurs through local building and rental inspections. Landlords who fail to install detectors face these daily forfeitures.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Milwaukee County set smoke detector rules?
No. Smoke detectors are governed statewide by Wis. Stat. 101.145 under the Wisconsin building code, enforced through municipal building and rental inspections, not a county ordinance.
Where must smoke detectors go in Wisconsin?
In the basement, at the head of any stairway on each floor level, and either in each sleeping area or within 6 feet of it (not a kitchen), per Wis. Stat. 101.145.
What is the penalty for missing detectors?
Wis. Stat. 101.145 provides a forfeiture to the state of not more than $50 for each day of violation, usually enforced by local building or rental inspectors.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Milwaukee County

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All Milwaukee County rules

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Smoke Detectors in Cities Across Milwaukee County

Milwaukee, WIWauwatosa, WIWest Allis, WI