Fire Sprinkler Mandates
State-by-State Data
Since the 2009 edition of the International Residential Code (IRC), the model code has included a requirement for all new one- and
two-family dwellings and townhouses to include fire sprinkler systems. Since then, almost all states have removed the requirement
from their residential building codes as they have adopted newer editions.
• Forty-six states have completely removed the sprinkler requirements for one- and two-family homes.
• In twenty of those states, local jurisdictions have the authority to adopt sprinkler requirements.
• Two additional states have limited the requirement based on the size or height of the home.
• Forty-two states have also removed the sprinkler requirement for townhouses.
• Four states require builders to give buyers the option of installing a fire sprinkler system (mandatory option).
• Only California and Maryland have left the sprinkler mandate in place.
States may avoid the sprinkler mandate in one of three ways.
• Twenty-two states defeated the sprinkler mandate through legislation.
• Twenty-two states defeated the sprinkler mandate through the code adoption process.
• Four states have not adopted a statewide residential code.
The maps and table on the following pages detail the status of residential fire sprinkler mandates in each state. The table includes
hyperlinks to state building code agencies as well as relevant documents. Although care was taken to develop this document, it is
for general reference only, and we make no claim as to the accuracy of the information as the adopted codes and laws affecting
sprinkler mandates continue to change.
If you have questions or comments about the information in this table, please contact Dan Buuck
at 202-266-8366.
Revised July 2019
Page 2 of 11
Where Fire Sprinkler Mandates Have Been Defeated
For One- and Two-Family Dwellings
Fire Sprinkler Mandate
Defeated
Fire Sprinkler Mandate Defeated
But Local Jurisdictions Have Authority
to Adopt Requirements
Partial
Fire Sprinkler Mandate
Approved
Fire Sprinkler Mandate
Approved
Total: 26
Total: 20
Total: 2
Total: 2
Alabama
Alaska
Massachusetts
T
California
T
Connecticut
Arizona
New York
Maryland
T
Georgia
Arkansas
Hawaii
T
Colorado
Idaho
Delaware
Indiana
Florida
Kansas
Illinois
Kentucky
Iowa
Louisiana
Maine
T
Michigan
Mississippi
Minnesota
T
Montana
Missouri
Nebraska
New Hampshire
Nevada
New Jersey
New Mexico
North Carolina
Oklahoma
T
North Dakota
Oregon
Ohio
Tennessee
Pennsylvania
T
Texas
Rhode Island
Washington
South Carolina
Wyoming
South Dakota
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
West Virginia
Wisconsin
T
Townhouses required to be sprinklered
Page 3 of 11
How Fire Sprinkler Mandates Have Been Defeated
Fire Sprinkler Mandate Defeated
Through Legislation
Fire Sprinkler Mandate Defeated
Through Code Adoption Process
No Statewide Code Adoption
And No Legislation
Fire Sprinkler Mandate
Approved
Total: 23
Total: 4
Total: 2
Alabama
Colorado
California
Alaska
Delaware
Maryland
Arizona
Illinois
Florida
Wyoming
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Iowa
Kansas
Louisiana
Mississippi
Missouri
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Mexico
North Dakota
Pennsylvania
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Page 4 of 11
State
Sprinkler Mandate
(Yes/No/
No - Local*)
Defeated by
Adoption or
Legislation
Code Adopted and
Effective Date
State Building Code
Agency
Documents* Notes
* Local jurisdictions have
authority to require fire
sprinklers.
* Relevant
sections are
highlighted.
Alabama No L
2015 IRC
Effective 10/26/2015
Energy and
Residential Codes
Board
Amendments
Legislation
Act 2010-185 prohibits state or local
entities from adopting ordinances,
policies, or codes that would require
the installation of sprinkler systems
in one- or two-family dwellings.
Alaska No - Local L
No Statewide
Adoption
Dept. of Public Safety Legislation
Municipalities may not mandate fire
sprinklers unless they go through a
special process which includes at
least three public hearings.
Arizona No - Local L
No Statewide
Adoption
Legislation
Municipalities may still require
townhouses to be sprinklered.
Arkansas No - Local A
2012 IRC
Effective 1/1/2014
Fire Marshal
Adopted Code
(Chapter 3)
The 2012 IRC was amended to
remove the sprinkler requirement
for townhouses and one- and two-
family dwellings.
California Yes
2015 IRC
Effective 1/1/2017
Building Standards
Commission
Adopted Code
(Chapter 3)
Residential sprinklers have been
required in CA codes since the 2010
edition was adopted.
Colorado No - Local
No Statewide
Adoption
Office of the State
Architect
Denver
Amendments
Denver removed the sprinkler
requirement when it adopted the
2015 IRC.
Connecticut No A
2015 IRC
Effective 10/1/2018
Office of the State
Building Inspector
Amendments
Page 5 of 11
State
Sprinkler Mandate
(Yes/No/
No - Local*)
Defeated by
Adoption or
Legislation
Code Adopted and
Effective Date
State Building Code
Agency
Documents* Notes
Delaware No - Local
No Statewide
Adoption
State Fire Marshal
Mandatory
Option
Legislation
Builders of new, one- and two-
family homes are required by
legislation to give buyers a cost
estimate for installing fire sprinklers
and information from the State Fire
Marshal's Office about sprinkler
benefits (mandatory option).
District of
Columbia
Yes
2012 IRC
Effective 3/28/2014
Dept. of Consumer
and Regulatory
Affairs
Adopted Code
Florida No - Local A
2015 IRC
Effective 12/31/2017
Building Commission
Amendments
Legislation
Adopted Code
[Chapter 3]
Section R313 on automatic fire
sprinkler systems has been deleted.
Georgia No L
2012 IRC
Effective 1/1/2014
Dept. of Community
Affairs
Amendments
Legislation
Hawaii No L
2012 IBC
Effective 11/13/2018
Building Code
Council
Amendments
Legislation
Extension
Townhomes are required to be
sprinklered.
Legislation was passed in 2017 to
prohibit counties from requiring
automatic fire sprinklers. It has a
sunset date of June 30, 2027.
Idaho No L
2012 IRC
Effective 1/1/2015
Division of Building
Safety
Amendments
Legislation
Adopted Code
[Chapter 3]
Legislation exempts one- and two-
family dwellings from the provisions
requiring automatic fire sprinklers.
The IRC is amended to exempt
townhouses with code-compliant
fire separations.
Page 6 of 11
State
Sprinkler Mandate
(Yes/No/
No - Local*)
Defeated by
Adoption or
Legislation
Code Adopted and
Effective Date
State Building Code
Agency
Documents* Notes
Illinois No - Local
No Statewide
Adoption
Capital Development
Board
State building codes only apply to
commercial buildings in areas of the
state where codes have not
adopted.
Indiana No A
2003 IRC
Effective 9/11/2005
Fire Prevention &
Building Safety
Commission
Amendments
Legislation
The adopted model code edition
(2003 IRC) does not include
residential sprinklers.
Iowa No - Local L
2015 IRC
Effective 5/18/2016
Building Code Bureau
Amendments
Legislation
The state building code applies to
State Owned Buildings; State Fi-
nanced Buildings in jurisdictions
without an adopted and enforced
building code; Board of Regents fa-
cilities; Modular and Manufactured
homes and commercial buildings;
School owned structures in jurisdic-
tions without an adopted and en-
forced building code.
Kansas No L
No Statewide
Adoption
Office of the State
Fire Marshal
Legislation
Kentucky No A
2015 IRC
Effective 1/1/2019
Dept. of Housing,
Buildings and
Construction
Amendments
Louisiana No L
2015 IRC
Effective 2/1/2018
State Uniform
Construction Code
Council
Amendments
Legislation
Maine No - Local A
2015 IRC
Effective 1/23/2018
Bureau of Building
Codes & Standards
Amendments
Townhomes are required to be
sprinklered.
Page 7 of 11
State
Sprinkler Mandate
(Yes/No/
No - Local*)
Defeated by
Adoption or
Legislation
Code Adopted and
Effective Date
State Building Code
Agency
Documents* Notes
Maryland Yes
2015 IRC
Effective 1/1/2016
Codes Administration
Amendments
Local
Adoption
Local amendments may not weaken
the automatic fire sprinkler systems
provisions for townhouses and one-
and two-family dwellings.
Massachusetts No A
2015 IRC
Effective 10/20/2017
Office of Public
Safety and
Inspections
Amendments
Townhomes are required to be
sprinklered.
Sprinkler systems are required in
one- and two-family dwellings with
an area larger than 14,400 square
feet. The area calculation includes
basements, but not garages.
Michigan No A
2015 IRC
Effective 2/8/2016
LARA Building
Division
Amendments
The sections on fire sprinkler
systems were not adopted as part of
the IRC.
Minnesota No
A/
Legal Action
2015 IRC
Effective 1/24/2015
Construction Codes
and Licensing
Division
Amendments
Adopted Code
(Chapter 3)
Townhomes are required to be
sprinklered.
One- and two-family dwellings and
townhouse buildings containing
facilities required to be licensed or
registered by the state shall be
provided with a fire sprinkler system
Mississippi No - Local L
No Statewide
Adoption
State Fire Marshal Legislation
The Building Codes Council is
prohibited from requiring fire
sprinklers in one- and two-family
dwellings, but local jurisdictions can
require them.
Page 8 of 11
State
Sprinkler Mandate
(Yes/No/
No - Local*)
Defeated by
Adoption or
Legislation
Code Adopted and
Effective Date
State Building Code
Agency
Documents* Notes
Missouri No L
No Statewide
Adoption
Mandatory
Option
Legislation
Builders of new, one- and two-
family homes are required by
legislation to give buyers the option
of installing a fire sprinkler system.
(Mandatory option)
Montana No - Local A
2012 IRC
Effective 11/6/2014
Building Codes
Bureau
Amendments
Fire sprinkler systems are deleted in
their entirety from the IRC.
Nebraska No - Local L
2012 IRC
Effective: 8/30/2015
Administrative
Services
Legislation
Nevada No - Local L
No Statewide
Adoption
State Fire Marshal Legislation
Local jurisdictions may require
sprinkler systems in dwelling units
with an area of livable space larger
than 5,000 square feet. They also
may require sprinklers in smaller
dwelling units under certain
circumstances.
New
Hampshire
No L
2009 IRC
Effective: 4/1/2010
State Building Code
Review Board
Amendments
Legislation
The residential code was adopted
with the fire sprinkler requirement
in place, but legislation prohibits
local planning boards from requiring
sprinklers in one- and two-family
dwellings.
New Jersey No A
2015 IRC
Effective: 9/21/2015
Dept. of Community
Affairs
Amendments
Adopted Code
[Chapter 3]
New Mexico No - Local L
2015 IRC
Effective: 11/15/2016
Construction
Industries Division
Amendments
Legislation
Page 9 of 11
State
Sprinkler Mandate
(Yes/No/
No - Local*)
Defeated by
Adoption or
Legislation
Code Adopted and
Effective Date
State Building Code
Agency
Documents* Notes
New York No - Local L
2015 IRC
Effective: 5/6/2016
Code Enforcement &
Administration
Amendments
Mandatory
Option
Legislation
Sprinkler systems are required in
dwellings that are three stories high.
Builders of new, one- and two-
family homes are required by
legislation to give buyers the option
of installing a fire sprinkler system
(mandatory option).
North Carolina No A
2018 IRC
Effective: 1/1/2019
Office of State Fire
Marshal
Adopted Code
(Chapter 3)
North Dakota No L
2015 IRC
Effective: 1/1/2017
Div. of Community
Services
Amendments
Legislation
Ohio No A
2018 IRC
Effective 7/1/2019
Board of Building
Standards
Amendments
Adopted Code
[Chapter 3]
Oklahoma No - Local A
2015 IRC
Effective 11/1/2016
Uniform Building
Code Commission
Amendments
Townhomes are required to be
sprinklered.
Oregon No - Local A
2015 IRC
Effective: 10/1/2017
Building Codes
Division
Adopted Code
[Chapter 3]
Local jurisdictions have very limited
ability to amend the code. Approval
through the Building Codes Division
is required.
Pennsylvania No L
2015 IRC
Effective 10/1/2018
UCC Review and
Advisory Council
Legislation
Townhomes are required to be
sprinklered.
Builders of new, one- and two-
family homes are required by
legislation to give buyers the option
of installing a fire sprinkler system
(mandatory option).
Page 10 of 11
State
Sprinkler Mandate
(Yes/No/
No - Local*)
Defeated by
Adoption or
Legislation
Code Adopted and
Effective Date
State Building Code
Agency
Documents* Notes
Rhode Island No A
2015 IRC
Effective 8/1/2019
Building Code
Commission
Amendments
Adopted Code
[Chapter 3]
South Carolina No A
2015 IRC
Effective 7/1/2016
Building Code
Council
Amendments
Adopted Code
[Chapter 3]
South Dakota No L
No Statewide
Adoption
State Fire Marshal Legislation
Tennessee No - Local A
2009 IRC
Effective 6/27/2010
State Fire Marshal
Amendments
Legislation
Texas No - Local L
2000 IRC
Effective 1/1/2002
State Fire Marshal’s
Office
Legislation
Later editions of the code are
required to be enforced in
unincorporated areas and areas
specified by the Commissioner of
Insurance.
Utah No A
2015 IRC
Effective 5/8/2018
Uniform Building
Code Commission
Amendments
Vermont No A
2015 NFPA 101
Effective 10/10/2016
Building Code and
Safety Services
Amendments
Section 24.3.5.1 Fire Sprinkler
Protection for One- and Two-Family
Dwellings of NFPA 101 was deleted.
(See p. 10 of Amendments pdf.)
Virginia No A
2018 IRC
Effective 9/4/2018
Dept. of Housing and
Community
Development
Amendments
Adopted Code
[Chapter 3]
Page 11 of 11
State
Sprinkler Mandate
(Yes/No/
No - Local*)
Defeated by
Adoption or
Legislation
Code Adopted and
Effective Date
State Building Code
Agency
Documents* Notes
Washington No - Local A
2015 IRC
Effective 7/1/2016
State Building Code
Council
Amendments
West Virginia No L
2015 IRC
Effective 4/30/2019
Office of the State
Fire Marshal
Legislation
The State Fire Commission approved
IRC without amending the sprinkler
section, but legislation removed
sprinkler requirements.
Wisconsin No L
Uniform Dwelling
Code
Effective 4/1/2009
Dept. of Safety and
Professional Services
Adopted Code
Legislation
Wyoming No - Local
No Statewide
Adoption
Dept. of Fire
Prevention and
Electrical Safety
* Local jurisdictions have
authority to require fire
sprinklers.
* Relevant
sections are
highlighted.