Safety Inspections for Nightly Rentals

The purpose of this inspection is to ensure that your customers are provided a safe place to spend their time.

Generally we are looking at the building to ensure that the required safety systems are in place and have been serviced. We are also checking to ensure that the building has been maintained and is safe for use as a rental unit.

The requirements come from the International Building Code, the International Fire Code and Utah State and Summit County laws.

Here is a checklist of items that are required for nightly rental units:

• Fire Extinguisher: One 2-A:10-B:C minimum rated fire extinguisher is required in the nightly rental. It must be mounted in a readily visible and accessible location, or appropriately signed identifying its location. The fire extinguisher is required to be serviced or replaced every year.
• Smoke Alarms: Smoke alarms are required to be installed in all the following locations: inside every sleeping area, in the general vicinity outside every sleeping area, and on every floor. The smoke alarms must be interconnected so the actuation of one smoke alarm sets off all smoke alarms within the nightly rental. Smoke alarms must be installed and replaced in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions. Primary power for smoke alarms must be supplied from the building power and equipped with a battery backup unless it was not required at the time the unit was constructed. In such cases, battery operated smoke alarms are allowed.
• Carbon Monoxide Alarms: Carbon monoxide alarms are required in the following locations when the unit has at least one fuel-fired appliance: in the general vicinity outside every sleeping area, inside sleeping areas that have fuel-fired equipment within the sleeping area, and on every floor. Carbon monoxide alarms must be installed and replaced in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions. Primary power for carbon monoxide alarms must be supplied from the building power and equipped with a battery backup.
• Fire Sprinkler System: If the nightly rental is equipped with an automatic fire sprinkler system, it must be inspected routinely by a qualified person and be maintained in operable condition.
• Electrical: Electrical panels must have adequate clearance around them. Non-surge protected extension cords and multi-plug adapters can be used for temporary wiring only.
• Premises Identification: A permanent address must be installed in a location that is visible from the street, and a unit number by the front door if applicable.

Yes. The inspector must be able to access all areas of the residence including closets, garages, attics and crawl spaces.

The inspection should take no more than 1/2 an hour. Smaller units will take less time and larger units may take more time.