{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/36-99.5.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/36-99.5.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/36-99.5.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/36-99.5.html"}],"law_id":65460,"edition_id":1,"section_id":65460,"structure_id":12781,"section_number":"36-99.5","catch_line":"Smoke alarms for persons who are deaf or hard of hearing","history":"1984, c. 753; 1988, c. 183; 2011, c. 766; 2018, cc. 41, 81; 2019, c. 288.","full_text":"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 (\u00a7 27-94 et seq.) and subdivision C 6 of \u00a7 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 (\u00a7 36-96.1 et seq.), or upon request by an occupant of any of the following occupancies, regardless of when constructed:\n\n1\n\nAll dormitory buildings arranged for the shelter and sleeping accommodations of more than 20 individuals;2\n\nAll boarding and lodging houses arranged for shelter and sleeping accommodations of more than five individuals; or3\n\nAll residential rental dwelling units.\n\t\t\tA tenant shall be responsible for the maintenance and operation of the smoke alarm in the tenant’s unit in accordance with § 55.1-1227.\n\t\t\tA 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.\n\t\t\tThe 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.\n\t\t\tA 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.).","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":238027,"text":"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 (\u00a7 27-94 et seq.) and subdivision C 6 of \u00a7 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 (\u00a7 36-96.1 et seq.), or upon request by an occupant of any of the following occupancies, regardless of when constructed:","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"next_prefix":"1"},"1":{"id":238028,"text":"All dormitory buildings arranged for the shelter and sleeping accommodations of more than 20 individuals;","type":"section","prefixes":["1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"1","prefix_anchor":"1","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":"2"},"2":{"id":238029,"text":"All boarding and lodging houses arranged for shelter and sleeping accommodations of more than five individuals; or","type":"section","prefixes":["2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"2","prefix_anchor":"2","level":1,"prior_prefix":"1","next_prefix":"3"},"3":{"id":238030,"text":"All residential rental dwelling units.\n\t\t\tA tenant shall be responsible for the maintenance and operation of the smoke alarm in the tenant’s unit in accordance with § 55.1-1227.\n\t\t\tA 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.\n\t\t\tThe 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.\n\t\t\tA 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.).","type":"section","prefixes":["3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"3","prefix_anchor":"3","level":1,"prior_prefix":"2"}},"ancestry":[{"id":12781,"edition_id":1,"name":"General Provisions","identifier":"1","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12780,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:52","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:52","permalink":{"id":209289,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12781,"identifier":"1","token":"36\/6\/1","url":"\/36\/6\/1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12780,"edition_id":1,"name":"Uniform Statewide Building Code","identifier":"6","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12779,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:52","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:52","permalink":{"id":209287,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12780,"identifier":"6","token":"36\/6","url":"\/36\/6\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12779,"edition_id":1,"name":"Housing","identifier":"36","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:52","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:52","permalink":{"id":208257,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12779,"identifier":"36","token":"36","url":"\/36\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":82568,"structure_id":12781,"section_number":"36-100","catch_line":"Notice and hearings on adoption of Code, amendments and repeals","url":"\/36-100\/","token":"36\/6\/1\/36-100","metadata":false},{"id":57649,"structure_id":12781,"section_number":"36-101","catch_line":"Effective date of Code; when local codes may remain in effect","url":"\/36-101\/","token":"36\/6\/1\/36-101","metadata":false},{"id":69941,"structure_id":12781,"section_number":"36-102","catch_line":"Modification, amendment or repeal of Code provisions","url":"\/36-102\/","token":"36\/6\/1\/36-102","metadata":false},{"id":74039,"structure_id":12781,"section_number":"36-103","catch_line":"Buildings, etc., existing or projected before effective date of Code","url":"\/36-103\/","token":"36\/6\/1\/36-103","metadata":false},{"id":75343,"structure_id":12781,"section_number":"36-104","catch_line":"Code to be printed and furnished on request; true copy","url":"\/36-104\/","token":"36\/6\/1\/36-104","metadata":false},{"id":71583,"structure_id":12781,"section_number":"36-105","catch_line":"Enforcement of Code; appeals from decisions of local department; inspection of buildings; inspection warrants; inspection of elevators; issuance of permits","url":"\/36-105\/","token":"36\/6\/1\/36-105","metadata":false},{"id":61577,"structure_id":12781,"section_number":"36-105.01","catch_line":"Elevator inspections by contract","url":"\/36-105.01\/","token":"36\/6\/1\/36-105.01","metadata":false},{"id":78461,"structure_id":12781,"section_number":"36-105.1","catch_line":"Inspection and review of plans of buildings under construction","url":"\/36-105.1\/","token":"36\/6\/1\/36-105.1","metadata":false},{"id":58756,"structure_id":12781,"section_number":"36-105.1:1","catch_line":"Rental inspections; rental inspection districts; exemptions; penalties","url":"\/36-105.1_1\/","token":"36\/6\/1\/36-105.1_1","metadata":false},{"id":75306,"structure_id":12781,"section_number":"36-105.2","catch_line":"Expired","url":"\/36-105.2\/","token":"36\/6\/1\/36-105.2","metadata":false},{"id":77401,"structure_id":12781,"section_number":"36-105.3","catch_line":"Security of certain records","url":"\/36-105.3\/","token":"36\/6\/1\/36-105.3","metadata":false},{"id":60393,"structure_id":12781,"section_number":"36-105.4","catch_line":"Occupancy standards for residential dwelling units","url":"\/36-105.4\/","token":"36\/6\/1\/36-105.4","metadata":false},{"id":86342,"structure_id":12781,"section_number":"36-105.5","catch_line":"Enforcement of Building Code on Indian reservations","url":"\/36-105.5\/","token":"36\/6\/1\/36-105.5","metadata":false},{"id":70540,"structure_id":12781,"section_number":"36-106","catch_line":"Violation a misdemeanor; civil penalty","url":"\/36-106\/","token":"36\/6\/1\/36-106","metadata":false},{"id":82688,"structure_id":12781,"section_number":"36-107","catch_line":"Employment of personnel for administration of chapter","url":"\/36-107\/","token":"36\/6\/1\/36-107","metadata":false},{"id":70419,"structure_id":12781,"section_number":"36-107.1","catch_line":"Sale of residential structure with lead-based paint levels exceeding Code standards; 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modifications","url":"\/36-99\/","token":"36\/6\/1\/36-99","metadata":false},{"id":74808,"structure_id":12781,"section_number":"36-99.01","catch_line":"Provisions related to rehabilitation of existing buildings","url":"\/36-99.01\/","token":"36\/6\/1\/36-99.01","metadata":false},{"id":79369,"structure_id":12781,"section_number":"36-99.1","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/36-99.1\/","token":"36\/6\/1\/36-99.1","metadata":false},{"id":64811,"structure_id":12781,"section_number":"36-99.10","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/36-99.10\/","token":"36\/6\/1\/36-99.10","metadata":false},{"id":55850,"structure_id":12781,"section_number":"36-99.10:1","catch_line":"Standards for installation of acoustical treatment measures in certain buildings and structures","url":"\/36-99.10_1\/","token":"36\/6\/1\/36-99.10_1","metadata":false},{"id":84476,"structure_id":12781,"section_number":"36-99.11","catch_line":"Identification of disabled parking spaces by above grade signage","url":"\/36-99.11\/","token":"36\/6\/1\/36-99.11","metadata":false},{"id":64183,"structure_id":12781,"section_number":"36-99.2","catch_line":"Standards for replacement glass","url":"\/36-99.2\/","token":"36\/6\/1\/36-99.2","metadata":false},{"id":53961,"structure_id":12781,"section_number":"36-99.3","catch_line":"Smoke alarms and automatic sprinkler systems in institutions of higher education","url":"\/36-99.3\/","token":"36\/6\/1\/36-99.3","metadata":false},{"id":72903,"structure_id":12781,"section_number":"36-99.4","catch_line":"Smoke alarms in certain juvenile care facilities","url":"\/36-99.4\/","token":"36\/6\/1\/36-99.4","metadata":false},{"id":65460,"structure_id":12781,"section_number":"36-99.5","catch_line":"Smoke alarms for persons who are deaf or hard of hearing","url":"\/36-99.5\/","token":"36\/6\/1\/36-99.5","metadata":false},{"id":72386,"structure_id":12781,"section_number":"36-99.5:1","catch_line":"Smoke alarms and other fire detection and suppression systems in assisted living facilities, adult day centers and nursing homes and facilities","url":"\/36-99.5_1\/","token":"36\/6\/1\/36-99.5_1","metadata":false},{"id":74590,"structure_id":12781,"section_number":"36-99.6","catch_line":"Underground and aboveground storage tank inspections","url":"\/36-99.6\/","token":"36\/6\/1\/36-99.6","metadata":false},{"id":64833,"structure_id":12781,"section_number":"36-99.6:1","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/36-99.6_1\/","token":"36\/6\/1\/36-99.6_1","metadata":false},{"id":65051,"structure_id":12781,"section_number":"36-99.6:2","catch_line":"Installation of in-building emergency communication equipment for emergency public safety personnel","url":"\/36-99.6_2\/","token":"36\/6\/1\/36-99.6_2","metadata":false},{"id":85590,"structure_id":12781,"section_number":"36-99.6:3","catch_line":"Regulation of HVAC facilities","url":"\/36-99.6_3\/","token":"36\/6\/1\/36-99.6_3","metadata":false},{"id":60725,"structure_id":12781,"section_number":"36-99.7","catch_line":"Asbestos inspection in buildings to be renovated or demolished; exceptions","url":"\/36-99.7\/","token":"36\/6\/1\/36-99.7","metadata":false},{"id":57258,"structure_id":12781,"section_number":"36-99.8","catch_line":"Skirting","url":"\/36-99.8\/","token":"36\/6\/1\/36-99.8","metadata":false},{"id":84955,"structure_id":12781,"section_number":"36-99.9","catch_line":"Standards for fire suppression systems in certain facilities","url":"\/36-99.9\/","token":"36\/6\/1\/36-99.9","metadata":false},{"id":71368,"structure_id":12781,"section_number":"36-99.9:1","catch_line":"Standards for fire suppression systems in hospitals","url":"\/36-99.9_1\/","token":"36\/6\/1\/36-99.9_1","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":72903,"structure_id":12781,"section_number":"36-99.4","catch_line":"Smoke alarms in certain juvenile care facilities","url":"\/36-99.4\/","token":"36\/6\/1\/36-99.4","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":72386,"structure_id":12781,"section_number":"36-99.5:1","catch_line":"Smoke alarms and other fire detection and suppression systems in assisted living facilities, adult day centers and nursing homes and facilities","url":"\/36-99.5_1\/","token":"36\/6\/1\/36-99.5_1","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/36-99.5\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1984. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 753 of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. Unfortunately, the 1984 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 4 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1988, chapter 183; in 2011, chapter 766<\/a>; in 2018, chapters 41<\/a> and 81<\/a>; in 2019, chapter 288<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":77113,"section_number":"51.5-45","catch_line":"Right of persons with disabilities to housing accommodations","order_by":null,"url":"\/51.5-45\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":65870,"section_number":"27-94","catch_line":"Short title","order_by":null,"url":"\/27-94\/"},{"id":71583,"section_number":"36-105","catch_line":"Enforcement of Code; appeals from decisions of local department; inspection of buildings; inspection warrants; inspection of elevators; issuance of permits","order_by":null,"url":"\/36-105\/"},{"id":65553,"section_number":"36-96.1","catch_line":"Declaration of policy","order_by":null,"url":"\/36-96.1\/"},{"id":63220,"section_number":"55.1-1227","catch_line":"Tenant to maintain dwelling unit","order_by":null,"url":"\/55.1-1227\/"}],"permalink":{"id":209419,"object_type":"law","relational_id":65460,"identifier":"36-99.5","token":"36\/6\/1\/36-99.5","url":"\/36-99.5\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/36-99.5\/","token":"36\/6\/1\/36-99.5","dublin_core":{"Title":"Smoke alarms for persons who are deaf or hard of hearing","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 36-99.5","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

Smoke alarms for persons who are deaf or hard of hearing<\/span> shall be installed only in conformance with the provisions of the current Building Code<\/span> and maintained in accordance with the Statewide Fire Prevention Code (\u00a7 27-94<\/a> et seq.) and subdivision C 6 of \u00a7 36-105<\/a>, Part III of the Building Code<\/span>. 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<\/span> as referenced by the Virginia Fair Housing Law<\/span> (\u00a7 36-96.1<\/a> et seq.), or upon request by an occupant of any of the following occupancies, regardless of when constructed:<\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> All dormitory buildings<\/span> arranged for the shelter and sleeping accommodations of more than 20 individuals; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> All boarding and lodging houses arranged for shelter and sleeping accommodations of more than five individuals; or <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> All residential rental dwelling units.\n\t\t\tA 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>.\n\t\t\tA 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<\/span>. Visual alarms shall be provided for all meeting rooms for which an advance request has been made.\n\t\t\tThe 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.\n\t\t\tA landlord of a rental unit shall provide a reasonable accommodation to a person who is deaf or hard of hearing<\/span> who requests installation of a smoke alarm that is appropriate for persons who are deaf or hard of hearing<\/span> if such accommodation is appropriate in accordance with the Virginia Fair Housing Law<\/span> (§ 36-96.1<\/a> et seq.). <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nSMOKE ALARMS FOR PERSONS WHO ARE DEAF OR HARD OF HEARING (\u00a7 36-99.5)\n\nSmoke alarms for persons who are deaf or hard of hearing shall be installed only\nin conformance with the provisions of the current Building Code and maintained\nin accordance with the Statewide Fire Prevention Code (\u00a7 27-94 et seq.) and\nsubdivision C 6 of \u00a7 36-105, Part III of the Building Code. Such alarms shall\nbe provided by the landlord or proprietor, upon request by a tenant of a rental\nunit or a person living with such tenant who is deaf or hard of hearing as\nreferenced by the Virginia Fair Housing Law (\u00a7 36-96.1 et seq.), or upon\nrequest by an occupant of any of the following occupancies, regardless of when\nconstructed:\n\n1. All dormitory buildings arranged for the shelter and sleeping accommodations\nof more than 20 individuals;\n\n2. All boarding and lodging houses arranged for shelter and sleeping\naccommodations of more than five individuals; or\n\n3. All residential rental dwelling units.\n\t\t\tA tenant shall be responsible for the maintenance and operation of the smoke\nalarm in the tenant’s unit in accordance with § 55.1-1227.\n\t\t\tA hotel or motel shall have available no fewer than one such smoke alarm for\neach 70 units or portion thereof, except that this requirement shall not apply\nto any hotel or motel with fewer than 35 units. The proprietor of the hotel or\nmotel shall post in a conspicuous place at the registration desk or counter a\npermanent sign stating the availability of smoke alarms for persons who are deaf\nor hard of hearing. Visual alarms shall be provided for all meeting rooms for\nwhich an advance request has been made.\n\t\t\tThe proprietor or landlord may require a refundable deposit for a smoke\nalarm, not to exceed the original cost or replacement cost, whichever is\ngreater, of such smoke alarm. Rental fees shall not be increased as compensation\nfor this requirement.\n\t\t\tA landlord of a rental unit shall provide a reasonable accommodation to a\nperson who is deaf or hard of hearing who requests installation of a smoke alarm\nthat is appropriate for persons who are deaf or hard of hearing if such\naccommodation is appropriate in accordance with the Virginia Fair Housing Law\n(§ 36-96.1 et seq.).\n\nHISTORY: 1984, c. 753; 1988, c. 183; 2011, c. 766; 2018, cc. 41, 81; 2019, c.\n288.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}