Yonkers enforces New York State smoke and carbon monoxide alarm requirements under 19 NYCRR Part 1225 (Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code). All dwellings must have working smoke alarms in every sleeping area, outside each sleeping area, and on every story; battery-only alarms sold in NY since 2019 must be sealed 10-year units.
Yonkers adopts the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code (19 NYCRR Part 1225), which incorporates the International Residential Code smoke alarm provisions and adds state-specific requirements. Smoke alarms are required inside each sleeping room, outside each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of bedrooms, and on each story of the dwelling including basements and habitable attics. New construction and substantial renovations require interconnected, hardwired alarms with battery backup so that activation of one alarm sounds all alarms in the dwelling. Existing one- and two-family homes may use battery-powered alarms, but New York General Business Law Section 399-ccc (effective April 1, 2019) requires every smoke alarm sold or installed in NY to be either hardwired or powered by a non-removable, sealed 10-year battery. Combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are recommended; CO alarms are separately required by Amanda's Law (2010) on every story with a sleeping area in homes with fuel-burning appliances or attached garages. Landlords must install operable alarms before tenant occupancy and tenants must maintain them, replacing batteries and reporting failures. Alarms should be replaced every 10 years or sooner per the manufacturer's date stamp. Confirm Yonkers-specific inspection or registration triggers with the Yonkers Fire Department at (914) 377-7575 or the Department of Housing and Buildings at (914) 377-6500.
Missing, disabled, or expired smoke alarms violate 19 NYCRR Part 1225 and can result in code enforcement orders, fines, and rental certificate denial. Selling or installing a non-compliant battery-only alarm (without a sealed 10-year battery) violates NY GBL Section 399-ccc. Tenant tampering or removal can void liability protections in a fire claim.
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