Carbon Monoxide Detector Law

As of July 1, 2011, California homeowners are required to install carbon monoxide detectors in their home. This law impacts all existing single-family homeowners that have fossil-fuel burning appliances, fireplaces, and/or attached garage. You can purchase them at Home Depot for under $20.00 each.

Unlike fires, carbon monoxide is a silent killer. Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas and that is why it is so important to install a detector. Like smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors should be installed on high walls or ceilings and on every floor of your home.

If the carbon monoxide detector goes off, you will want to take the following steps:

1) Turn off detector and get everyone outside.

2) Check to see if anyone is suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning (i.e. shortness of breath, nausea, headaches, dizziness, vomiting, and/or loss of consciousness. It can often be mistaken for the flu).

3) Open windows in home to get fresh air circulating.

4) Turn off all appliances and heating systems.

5) Call an appliance or heating professional to check for a carbon monoxide leak.

Here are some frequently asked questions and answers taken from the California Association of Realtor's Legal website.

Q: What is carbon monoxide?


A: Carbon monoxide is a gas produced whenever any fuel, such as gas, oil, kerosene, wood, or charcoal, is burned.  A person cannot see or smell carbon monoxide.  However, at high levels carbon monoxide can kill a person in minutes. In addition, there are well-documented chronic health effects of acute carbon monoxide poisoning from exposure to carbon monoxide, such as lethargy, headaches, concentration problems, amnesia, psychosis, Parkinson’s disease, memory impairment, and personality alterations.


(Cal. Health & Safety Code § 13261.)


Q: What is a carbon monoxide detector?

A:  It is a relatively inexpensive device similar to a smoke detector that signals detection of carbon monoxide in the air.  Under the law, a carbon monoxide device is “designed to detect carbon monoxide and produce a distinct audible alarm.”  It can be battery powered, a plug-in device with battery backup, or a device installed as recommended by Standard 720 of the National Fire Protection Association that is either wired into the alternating current power line of the dwelling unit with a secondary battery backup or connected to a system via a panel.


If the carbon monoxide device is combined with a smoke detector, it must emit an alarm or voice warning in a manner that clearly differentiates between a carbon monoxide alarm warning and a smoke detector warning.
The carbon monoxide device must have been tested and certified pursuant to the requirements of the American National standards Institute (ANSI) and Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL) as set forth in either ANSI/UL 2034 or ANSI/UL 2075, or successor standards, by a nationally recognized testing laboratory listed in the directory of approved testing laboratories established by the Building Materials Listing Program of the Fire Engineering Division of the Office of the State Fire Marshal of the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.


(Cal. Health & Safety Code § 13262.)


Q: How many devices and where do I place them in the home?

A: This new law requires the owner “to install the devices in a manner consistent with building standards applicable to new construction for the relevant type of occupancy or with the manufacturer’s instructions, if it is technically feasible to do so” (Cal. Health & Safety Code § 17926(b)).


The following language comes packaged with carbon monoxide (CO) detectors:

For minimum security, a CO Alarm should be centrally located outside of each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedrooms.  The Alarm should be located at least 6 inches (152mm) from all exterior walls and at least 3 feet (0.9 meters) from supply or return vents.

Building standards applicable to new construction are as follows (overview summary only):

• Section R315 et seq. of the 2010 edition California Residential Code (CRC) [effective Jan. 1, 2011] (applicable to new one-to-two family dwellings and townhouses not more than 3 stories and also where work requiring a permit for alterations, repairs or additions exceeding one thousand dollars in existing dwellings units):

Installed outside of each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedroom(s) in dwelling units and on every level including basements within which fuel-fired appliances are installed and in dwelling units that have attached garages.

• Section 420 et seq of the 2010 edition California Building Code (CBC) [effective Jan. 1, 2011] (applicable to other new dwelling units and also where a permit is required for alterations, repairs or additions exceeding $1,000 in existing dwelling units):

Installed outside of each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedroom(s) in dwelling units and on every level including basements within which fuel-fired appliances are installed and in dwelling units that have attached garages.

Q: Are there any penalties for noncompliance with this law regarding installation of carbon monoxide detector devices?

A: Yes. A violation is an infraction punishable by a maximum fine of $200 for each offense. However, a property owner must receive a 30-day notice to correct first.  If an owner who receives such a notice fails to correct the problem within the 30-day period, then the owner may be assessed the fine. (Cal. Health & Safety Code § 17926(c).)


For the complete text of this law click here.