SB374: SB374 Buildings; local fire ordinances requiring fire sprinklers in certain multifamily dwellings; authorize

Georgia law currently bars the state building code and any local fire code adopted after May 24, 2010 from requiring fire sprinklers in single-family homes or buildings with no more than two dwelling units, such as duplexes. This bill rewrites that section (O.C.G.A. § 8-2-4) to add a clarifying sentence stating that the ban does not stop a city or county from passing its own ordinance requiring fire sprinklers in residential buildings that have more than two dwelling units, such as apartment complexes or larger multifamily developments. The bill does not force any local government to require sprinklers; it simply removes doubt about whether local governments have the authority to do so for larger multifamily buildings. The existing protection for single-family homes and duplexes stays in place. The bill also repeals any conflicting laws.

• Keeps the existing ban on requiring fire sprinklers in single-family homes and buildings with two or fewer dwelling units.
• Adds language confirming that cities and counties may pass ordinances requiring fire sprinklers in residential buildings with more than two dwelling units.
• Repeals any state or local laws that conflict with this clarified rule.

Local governments (cities and counties) that write fire and building codes, developers and owners of multifamily housing such as apartment buildings and townhome complexes, and residents living in buildings with more than two units who could be affected by new local sprinkler rules.

Local governments would have clear legal authority to require sprinkler systems in larger multifamily buildings, which could affect construction costs and safety standards for new apartment and condo projects, while homeowners and duplex owners remain shielded from any such mandate.

• Section 1 revises O.C.G.A. § 8-2-4 to keep the prohibition on sprinkler mandates for single-family dwellings and buildings with two or fewer units.
• Section 1 adds a sentence stating the prohibition does not stop a political subdivision from adopting an ordinance requiring sprinklers in buildings with more than two dwelling units.
• Section 2 repeals any laws that conflict with the amended section.

1. 2025-04-04Senate Read and Referred (Senate)
2. 2025-04-04Senate Hopper (Senate)

• Brian Strickland (R, SD-042)Primary sponsor

• fire safety
• building codes
• multifamily housing
• local government authority