Smoke detectors are required as follows:

o On every habitable level of the residence.

o On the ceiling at the base of each stairway, but not in the stairway itself.

o On the ceiling outside of each separate sleeping area.

o The smoke detectors may either be battery powered, hardwired or a

combination of the two.

o If the smoke detector is located within 20 feet of a kitchen or bathroom

(containing a bathtub or shower), the smoke detector will be required to be a

photoelectric detector.

o If the smoke detector is outside of 20 feet of a kitchen or bathroom (containing a

bathtub or shower) you must utilize either:

• A dual detector (containing both ionization and photoelectric technologies); OR
• Two separate detectors (one photoelectric and one ionization).

o Low voltage household warning systems are exempt from the dual detection

requirement.

Carbon monoxide alarms are required as follows:

o On every level of the residence, including habitable portions of basements and

attics and must be located within 10 feet of each bedroom door.

o Combination detectors (photoelectric smoke and carbon monoxide detector)

may be used if the detector is within 20 feet of a kitchen or bathroom

(containing a bathtub or shower).

o Combination detectors (ionization smoke and carbon monoxide detector) may

be used if the detector is outside of 20 feet of a kitchen or bathroom (containing

a bathtub or shower).

o May be either: battery powered, plug-in with battery backup, hardwired with

battery backup, or system type.

o Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for placement/installation.

It is important to note that Pre-1975 homes are now required to have smoke detectors with

10 year non-rechargeable, non-replaceable batteries. This means that any new smoke

detector installed in a Pre-1975 home:

o After 12/1/16 must comply with the 10 year sealed battery rule.

o Before 12/1/16 and currently less than ten years old are grandfathered.

Please note that applications have moved to a new town-wide permitting system. Click here or the image below to complete the permit online. If it is your first visit, please register as a new user.