Sunderland, Mass., Code of Bylaws ch 104 § 104-1
Requirements (Sunderland Smoke and Heat Detectors)
Operative Text
Any building or structure consisting of one (1) to six (6) dwelling units shall be required to install either an approved monitored battery-powered smoke detector or an approved primary-power smoke detector. It shall be installed on each level of habitation and on the basement level; provided, however, that the head of the Fire Department shall allow the installation of an approved monitored battery-powered smoke detector or approved primary-power smoke detector which shall be installed in the following manner: An approved monitored battery-powered smoke detector or an approved primary-power smoke detector shall be installed on the ceiling of each stairway leading to the floor above, near the base of but not within each stairway, and an approved monitored battery-powered smoke detector or an approved primary-power smoke detector shall be installed outside of each separate sleeping area.
Sunderland, Mass., Code of Bylaws CH. 104 § 104-1 requires that residential buildings with one to six dwelling units be equipped with approved smoke detectors — either monitored battery-powered or primary-power models. Detectors must be placed on every level where people live, in the basement, at stairways leading to upper floors, and outside each sleeping area. The local Fire Department head has authority to approve the specific installation configuration that meets these requirements.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Sunderland, Mass., Code of Bylaws CH. 104 § 104-1, operators of one-to-six-unit residential buildings generally ensure that approved smoke detectors — monitored battery-powered or primary-power — are installed on every habitable level, in the basement, on stairway ceilings leading to floors above, near the base of each stairway, and outside each separate sleeping area. Compliant operators typically coordinate with the Sunderland Fire Department head to confirm that the chosen detector type and placement configuration meets the bylaw's approval standards. Keeping documentation of installed equipment and any Fire Department sign-offs is a common practice for demonstrating ongoing compliance.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Sunderland, Mass., Code of Bylaws CH. 104 § 104-1 establishes a right to live in a one-to-six-unit building equipped with properly installed, approved smoke detectors in key locations including each habitable level, the basement, stairways, and areas outside sleeping spaces. If smoke detectors appear to be missing, improperly placed, or unapproved, tenants may consider contacting the Sunderland Fire Department, which oversees compliance with this provision, or reaching out to a local tenant-rights organization for guidance on available options. Documenting the condition of smoke detectors — such as through dated photographs — is a step many tenants take when they have concerns about compliance.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated November 11, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
Effective Timeline
References Out
No outbound references recorded yet for this provision.
References In
No inbound references recorded yet for this provision.