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2010 SESSION

10103092D
SENATE BILL NO. 609
Offered January 14, 2010
A BILL to amend and reenact § 15.2-922 of the Code of Virginia, relating to carbon monoxide detectors in certain buildings.
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Patron-- Edwards
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Referred to Committee on Local Government
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Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1.  That § 15.2-922 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:

§ 15.2-922. Smoke detectors in certain buildings.

A. Any locality, notwithstanding any contrary provision of law, general or special, may by ordinance require that smoke detectors be installed in the following structures or buildings: (i) any building containing one or more dwelling units,; (ii) any hotel or motel regularly used or offered for, or intended to be used to provide overnight sleeping accommodations for one or more persons,; and (iii) rooming houses regularly used, offered for, or intended to be used to provide overnight sleeping accommodations. Smoke detectors installed pursuant to this section shall be installed in conformance with the provisions of the Uniform Statewide Building Code. The ordinance shall allow the type of smoke detector to be either battery operated or AC powered units. Such ordinance shall require that the owner of any unit which that is rented or leased, at the beginning of each tenancy and at least annually thereafter, shall furnish the tenant with a certificate that all required smoke detectors are present, have been inspected, and are in good working order. Except for smoke detectors located in hallways, stairwells, and other public or common areas of multifamily buildings, interim testing, repair, and maintenance of smoke detectors in rented or leased units shall be the responsibility of the tenant; however, the owner shall be obligated to service, repair, or replace any malfunctioning smoke detectors within five days of receipt of written notice from the tenant that such smoke detector is in need of service, repair, or replacement.

B. Any locality, notwithstanding any contrary provision of law, general or special, may by ordinance require that carbon monoxide alarms be installed in the following structures or buildings when such structures or buildings contain dwelling units that have an attached garage or carport or are serviced by fuel-fired appliances: (i) any building containing one or more dwelling units; (ii) any hotel or motel regularly used, offered for, or intended to be used to provide overnight sleeping accommodations; and (iii) any rooming house regularly used, offered for, or intended to be used to provide overnight sleeping accommodations.