Smoke alarms are required in every West Palm Beach dwelling under the Florida Building Code and FL §553.883, with one alarm in each sleeping room, outside each sleeping area, and on every level including basements.
FL §553.883 requires battery-powered alarms in existing one- and two-family dwellings to use 10-year sealed non-removable batteries when replaced. New construction and substantial renovations must use hardwired interconnected alarms with battery backup per FBC R314. Rental units are inspected by the City and landlords must verify functioning alarms at every change of occupancy. Carbon monoxide alarms are required where fuel-burning appliances or attached garages exist (FL §553.885).
Failure to maintain alarms in a rental: code citation up to $500 per unit per day until corrected. Tampering with or disabling alarms in a rental is a separate violation.
See how other cities in Palm Beach County handle smoke detectors.
See how West Palm Beach's smoke detectors rules stack up against other locations.
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