The water heater must be 18" off the floor if it is in the garage, because of fuel vapors. I don't know about Kern County, but smoke and CO detectors are the law here. Can't pass an inspection without them. We put a new roof on the rental house, and had to certify that we had them and safety glazing on the windows. What those have to do with a new roof is beyond me, but that's LA for you. If you're parked on the street on street sweeping day, you get a ticket, even though the street sweeper seldom comes by.
