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Page County adopts ordinance requiring written smoke-alarm certifications for rental properties
Summary
The Board approved an ordinance requiring residential smoke alarms in existing rental structures and annual written certification that detectors are present and operational; county staff will accept battery-powered alarms and will record certifications at the building department.
The Page County Board of Supervisors adopted an ordinance April 21 that requires residential smoke alarms in existing structures and obligates landlords to provide written certification to tenants and to the county that alarms are present and operational.
County staff said the ordinance aligns with building codes; it does not mandate AC‑powered alarms or require landlords to rewire properties. The required certificate is a written statement that devices are installed, have been inspected and are in good working order. Staff explained the certification should be provided at the start of each tenancy and annually thereafter (on renewal or extension).
During discussion supervisors asked whether the county would provide a uniform form. Staff said the ordinance requires a written certification but does not prescribe a county form; the certification may be included in lease agreements or provided separately and placed in the property file. Staff also noted that if an owner proposes using part of a dwelling as an emergency shelter or changing occupancy, building-division inspection and engineering review could become necessary.
A motion to adopt the ordinance, presented on a recommendation from the fire department and reviewed by staff, passed by roll call.
