Smoke and carbon monoxide alarm requirements in Whittier come primarily from California state law - Health & Safety Code Sections 13113.7 (smoke alarms) and 17926 (CO alarms) - applied through the building code and the Los Angeles County Fire Code that Whittier adopts at Municipal Code Section 15.15.010. Landlords must install and maintain working alarms in rental units.
Whittier does not set a standalone detector ordinance; the requirements flow from California state law applied through the building code and the Los Angeles County Fire Code adopted at Municipal Code Section 15.15.010. California Health & Safety Code Section 13113.7 requires operable smoke alarms in every dwelling unit - inside each bedroom, outside each sleeping area, and on every level - in single-family homes, apartments, condominiums, and other residential occupancies. Since January 1, 2014, landlords are responsible for installing, testing, and maintaining smoke alarms in rental units, and tenants must notify the owner of any inoperable alarm. California Health & Safety Code Section 17926 requires carbon monoxide alarms in all dwelling units that have a fuel-burning appliance, a fireplace, or an attached garage. When a building permit is pulled for alterations, additions, or repairs, the California Building Standards Code requires detectors to be brought up to current standards. The Los Angeles County Fire Department, which provides fire protection and code enforcement for Whittier, and the City's Building & Safety Division verify detector compliance, and detectors must meet State Fire Marshal listing requirements.
A landlord who fails to install or maintain required smoke or carbon monoxide alarms violates California Health & Safety Code Sections 13113.7 and 17926 and the habitability requirements of Civil Code Section 1941.1; tenants can report violations and seek repairs, and the City / LA County Fire Department can require correction. The smoke-alarm statute provides a civil penalty of up to $200 per violation for owners who fail to comply after notice. Non-compliant units may be cited under the adopted fire and building codes.
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