Smoke alarms for persons who are deaf or hard of hearing shall be installed only in conformance with the provisions of the current Building Code and maintained in accordance with the Statewide Fire Prevention Code (§ 27-94 et seq.) and subdivision C 6 of § 36-105, Part III of the Building Code. Such alarms shall be provided by the landlord or proprietor, upon request by a tenant of a rental unit or a person living with such tenant who is deaf or hard of hearing as referenced by the Virginia Fair Housing Law (§ 36-96.1 et seq.), or upon request by an occupant of any of the following occupancies, regardless of when constructed:
1. All dormitory buildings arranged for the shelter and sleeping accommodations of more than 20 individuals;
2. All boarding and lodging houses arranged for shelter and sleeping accommodations of more than five individuals; or
3. All residential rental dwelling units.
A tenant shall be responsible for the maintenance and operation of the smoke alarm in the tenant's unit in accordance with § 55.1-1227.
A hotel or motel shall have available no fewer than one such smoke alarm for each 70 units or portion thereof, except that this requirement shall not apply to any hotel or motel with fewer than 35 units. The proprietor of the hotel or motel shall post in a conspicuous place at the registration desk or counter a permanent sign stating the availability of smoke alarms for persons who are deaf or hard of hearing. Visual alarms shall be provided for all meeting rooms for which an advance request has been made.
The proprietor or landlord may require a refundable deposit for a smoke alarm, not to exceed the original cost or replacement cost, whichever is greater, of such smoke alarm. Rental fees shall not be increased as compensation for this requirement.
A landlord of a rental unit shall provide a reasonable accommodation to a person who is deaf or hard of hearing who requests installation of a smoke alarm that is appropriate for persons who are deaf or hard of hearing if such accommodation is appropriate in accordance with the Virginia Fair Housing Law (§ 36-96.1 et seq.).
1984, c. 753; 1988, c. 183; 2011, c. 766; 2018, cc. 41, 81; 2019, c. 288.
Structure Code of Virginia
Chapter 6 - Uniform Statewide Building Code
§ 36-98. Board to promulgate Statewide Code; other codes and regulations superseded; exceptions
§ 36-98.1. State buildings; exception for certain assets owned by the Department of Transportation
§ 36-98.2. Appeals from decision of Building Official regarding state-owned buildings
§ 36-98.4. Agritourism event buildings
§ 36-99. Provisions of Code; modifications
§ 36-99.01. Provisions related to rehabilitation of existing buildings
§ 36-99.2. Standards for replacement glass
§ 36-99.3. Smoke alarms and automatic sprinkler systems in institutions of higher education
§ 36-99.4. Smoke alarms in certain juvenile care facilities
§ 36-99.5. Smoke alarms for persons who are deaf or hard of hearing
§ 36-99.6. Underground and aboveground storage tank inspections
§ 36-99.6:3. Regulation of HVAC facilities
§ 36-99.7. Asbestos inspection in buildings to be renovated or demolished; exceptions
§ 36-99.9. Standards for fire suppression systems in certain facilities
§ 36-99.9:1. Standards for fire suppression systems in hospitals
§ 36-99.11. Identification of disabled parking spaces by above grade signage
§ 36-100. Notice and hearings on adoption of Code, amendments and repeals
§ 36-101. Effective date of Code; when local codes may remain in effect
§ 36-102. Modification, amendment or repeal of Code provisions
§ 36-103. Buildings, etc., existing or projected before effective date of Code
§ 36-104. Code to be printed and furnished on request; true copy
§ 36-105.01. Elevator inspections by contract
§ 36-105.1. Inspection and review of plans of buildings under construction
§ 36-105.1:1. Rental inspections; rental inspection districts; exemptions; penalties
§ 36-105.3. Security of certain records
§ 36-105.4. Occupancy standards for residential dwelling units
§ 36-105.5. Enforcement of Building Code on Indian reservations
§ 36-106. Violation a misdemeanor; civil penalty
§ 36-107. Employment of personnel for administration of chapter
§ 36-108. Board continued; members
§ 36-114. Board to hear appeals
§ 36-115. Subpoenas; witnesses; designation of subordinates
§ 36-118. Interpretation of Code; recommendation of modifications
§ 36-119. Rules and regulations under § 36-73 not superseded