Is it legal to have a front door with only a deadbolt and no doorknobs if the house has children in it?

I know of no law that requires any lock on a door. However, most insurance companies do require that you have certain security measures for coverage.

The front door has a deadbolt only on it and no doorknobs whatsoever--is that not a fire hazard?

You would have to check your local Fire Dept, since this is subject to local laws. But as long as an occupant can easily open the door, there shouldn't be a problem.

Why is this an issue for you?

If this is provided by a landlord, you may argue that fact, but since dead bolts are allowed, a dead bolt with an additional handle lock could be even harder to get out of.

If this is a rental, it is very easy just don't rent it.

My children are in the house and if they need to leave quickly they cannot because it is a key only deadbolt- in an emergency they cannot get out if they can't get the key.

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Originally Posted by whoisdan

my children are in the house and if they need to leave quickly they cannot because it is a key only deadbolt- in an emergency they cannot get out if they can't get the key.

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You have a 2 way key deadbolt only? I have a deadbolt only but it's not 2 way key, I wouldn't own one if it was, dangerous to leave the key in if you were to get an intruder and to take the key out and find it in case of a fire could be a problem. I too agree, and have to say that depending on the area you are in if that is legal or not I know where I am there is no law stating it's illegal to have a deadbolt only. If this is a rental I would talk to management about getting it changed out.

Leave a key in the dead bolt on the inside. There are several questions hanging out there, is this a rental or what?

I have a 2 key deadbolt on my house. I have had one for as long as I've lived in it (over 20 years). So it was there when my daughter was young.

I leave the key on a rack next to the door. There is no danger of an intruder opening the lock since there is no window close enough to break and reach in, even if I left the key in the lock. The key is always within reach in case of an emergency.

There does need to be some handle on the door because using the key is impractical.

So your kids live there (I gather you don't). So the question becomes is this a rental or does the person the kids live with own the home? That will dictate what your next step is. Or is this just a way of hassling the custodial parent?

I had not thought about that "Or is this just a way of hassling the custodial parent?
" If you are looking for an argument that adult living in this unit is doing something illegal you may be barking up the wrong tree.

In the area where I live it is illegal to have a 2 keyed dead bolt. It is not illegal to have no lock. U must also have a handle or knob to open door but not to close it.

And as my dad use to say "Locks are to keep honest people out."

Chuck

I install Security systems and say "I don't want to Keep Honest people Honest, I want to keep Dishonest People Honest".

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Originally Posted by creahands

In the area where I live it is illegal to have a 2 keyed dead bolt. It is not illegal to have no lock. U must also have a handle or knob to open door but not to close it.

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Can you cite the statute or code that makes it illegal? There is a difference between something being illegal and violating building codes.

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Originally Posted by ScottGem

Can you cite the statute or code that makes it illegal? There is a difference between something being illegal and violating building codes.

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I may have used the wrong terminology. Violating building code in my understanding makes it illegal. Not all VBC are illegal. Example: putting a shed up on your property to close to property line is VBC u can be fined for doing it. This makes it illegal.

Example: Put in undersized header. This is VBC but not illegal.

My daughter got a summons for having 2 keyed dead bolt. This would make it illegal.

Chuck

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Originally Posted by Stratmando

I install Security systems and say "I don't want to Keep Honest people Honest, I want to keep Dishonest People Honest".

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A security system is more then a lock.

Chuck

Did the summons state the rule, code,law violation?

I am not privy to that info.

Chuck

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Originally Posted by creahands

I am not privy to that info.

Chuck

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That's why I install Electronics. Locks are easy.