California law for smoke detectors and carbon monoxide 2022

Learn about state-by-state laws governing carbon monoxide detectors and smoke alarms in residential properties, including which states still don’t require them to be installed.

STATE	CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTOR REQUIRED?	SMOKE DETECTOR REQUIRED?
ALABAMA	Yes	Yes
ALASKA	Yes	Yes
ARIZONA	Yes	Yes
ARKANSAS	Yes	Yes
CALIFORNIA	Yes	Yes
COLORADO	Yes	Yes
CONNECTICUT	Yes	Yes
DELAWARE	Yes	Yes
FLORIDA	Yes	Yes
GEORGIA	Yes	Yes
HAWAII	No	Yes
IDAHO	Yes	Yes
ILLINOIS	Yes	Yes
INDIANA	Yes	Yes
IOWA	Yes	Yes, dual (photoelectric/ionization) sensor required.
KANSAS	Yes	Yes
KENTUCKY	Yes	Yes
LOUISANA	Yes	Yes
MAINE	Yes	Yes, photoelectric type required
MARYLAND	Yes	Yes
MASSACHUSETTS	Yes	Yes, photoelectric type required, dual (photoelectric/ionization) sensor required in new construction
MICHIGAN	Yes	Yes
MINNESOTA	Yes	Yes
MISSISSIPPI	Yes	Yes
MISSOURI	No	Yes
MONTANA	Yes	Yes
NEBRASKA	Yes	Yes
NEVADA	Yes	Yes
NEW HAMPSHIRE	Yes	Yes
NEW JERSEY	Yes	Yes
NEW MEXICO	Yes	Yes
NEW YORK	Yes	Yes
NORTH CAROLINA	Yes	Yes
NORTH DAKOTA	Yes	Yes
OHIO	Yes	Yes, dual (photoelectric/ionization) sensor required in new construction
OKLAHOMA	Yes	Yes
OREGON	Yes	Yes with hush mechanism
PENNSYLVANIA	Yes	Yes
RHODE ISLAND	Yes	Yes
SOUTH CAROLINA	Yes	Yes
SOUTH DAKOTA	Yes	Yes
TENNESSEE	Yes	Yes
TEXAS	Yes	Yes
UTAH	Yes	Yes
VERMONT	Yes	Yes, photoelectric type required
VIRGINIA	Yes	Yes
WASHINGTON	Yes	Yes
WEST VIRGINA	Yes	Yes
WISCONSIN	Yes	Yes
WYOMING	Yes	Yes

STATE	CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTOR REQUIRED?
ALABAMA	Carbon monoxide detectors should be installed near the bedrooms. If a fuel-burning appliance is in a bedroom or attached bathroom, carbon monoxide detectors must be installed within the bedroom. Carbon monoxide alarms in new builds should be hardwired with a battery backup.
ALASKA	Carbon monoxide detectors are required.
ARIZONA	Carbon monoxide detectors are required in all homes with fuel burning appliances, heaters, or attached garages.
ARKANSAS	Carbon monoxide detectors are required.
CALIFORNIA	Carbon monoxide detectors are required.
COLORADO	Carbon monoxide detectors are required. Carbon monoxide alarms in new builds should be hardwired with a battery backup.
CONNECTICUT	Carbon monoxide detectors are required.
DELAWARE	Carbon monoxide detectors are required.
FLORIDA	Carbon monoxide detectors are required.
GEORGIA	Carbon monoxide detectors are required.
HAWAII	There is no state law in Hawaii requiring carbon monoxide detectors.
IDAHO	Carbon monoxide detectors are required.
ILLINOIS	Carbon monoxide detectors are required.
INDIANA	There is no state law in Indiana requiring carbon monoxide detectors.
IOWA	Carbon monoxide detectors are required.
KANSAS	There is no state law in Kansas requiring carbon monoxide detectors.
KENTUCKY	Carbon monoxide detectors are required.
LOUISANA	Carbon monoxide detectors are required.
MAINE	All new and extensively renovated homes must have a carbon monoxide detector powered by a building’s electrical system with battery back-up, a sealed detector with a 10-year battery, or be part of a combined fire/carbon monoxide detection system.
MARYLAND	Carbon monoxide detectors are required.
MASSACHUSETTS	Carbon monoxide detectors are required.
MICHIGAN	Carbon monoxide detectors are required.
MINNESOTA	Carbon monoxide detectors are required.
MISSISSIPPI	Carbon monoxide detectors are required.
MISSOURI	There is no state law in Missouri requiring carbon monoxide detectors.
MONTANA	Carbon monoxide detectors are required.
NEBRASKA	Carbon monoxide detectors are required.
NEVADA	Carbon monoxide detectors are required.
NEW HAMPSHIRE	Carbon monoxide detectors are required.
NEW JERSEY	Carbon monoxide detectors are required.
NEW MEXICO	Carbon monoxide detectors are required.
NEW YORK	Carbon monoxide detectors are required.
NORTH CAROLINA	Carbon monoxide detectors are required.
NORTH DAKOTA	Carbon monoxide detectors are required.
OHIO	Carbon monoxide detectors are required.
OKLAHOMA	Carbon monoxide detectors are required.
OREGON	Carbon monoxide detectors are required.
PENNSYLVANIA	Carbon monoxide detectors are required.
RHODE ISLAND	Carbon monoxide alarms are required in all homes. Specific types and locations required will vary based on age of home.
SOUTH CAROLINA	Carbon monoxide detectors are required.
SOUTH DAKOTA	Carbon monoxide detectors are required.
TENNESSEE	Carbon monoxide detectors are required.
TEXAS	Carbon monoxide detectors are required.
UTAH	Carbon monoxide detectors are required.
VERMONT	Carbon monoxide detectors are required.
VIRGINIA	Carbon monoxide detectors are required.
WASHINGTON	Carbon monoxide detectors are required.
WEST VIRGINA	Carbon monoxide detectors are mandated in all homes with fuel-burning appliances, heaters, or attached garages, storage sheds, or barns.
WISCONSIN	Carbon monoxide detectors are required.
WYOMING	Carbon monoxide detectors are required in all homes with fuel-burning appliances, heaters, or attached garages.

STATE	CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTOR REQUIRED?
ALABAMA	Smoke alarms shall be installed in bedrooms, in hallways outside bedrooms, and on each story of the dwelling, including basements. New construction codes require smoke alarms to be hardwired with a battery backup.
ALASKA	Smoke alarms are required in all homes. New home construction mandates hardwired smoke alarms with battery back-up.
ARIZONA	Smoke alarms are required in all homes. New home construction mandates hardwired smoke alarms with battery back-up.
ARKANSAS	Smoke alarms are required in all homes. New home construction mandates hardwired smoke alarms with battery back-up.
CALIFORNIA	Smoke alarms are required in all homes. New home construction mandates hardwired smoke alarms with battery back-up.
COLORADO	Smoke alarms are required in all homes. New home construction mandates hardwired smoke alarms with battery back-up.
CONNECTICUT	Smoke alarms are required in all homes. New home construction mandates hardwired smoke alarms with battery back-up.
DELAWARE	Smoke alarms are required in all homes. New home construction mandates hardwired smoke alarms with battery back-up.
FLORIDA	Smoke alarms are required in all homes. New home construction mandates hardwired smoke alarms with battery back-up.
GEORGIA	Smoke alarms are required in all homes. New home construction mandates hardwired smoke alarms with battery back-up.
HAWAII	Smoke alarms are required in all homes. New home construction mandates hardwired smoke alarms with battery back-up.
IDAHO	Smoke alarms are required in all homes. New home construction mandates hardwired smoke alarms with battery back-up.
ILLINOIS	Smoke alarms are required in all homes. New home construction mandates hardwired smoke alarms with battery back-up.
INDIANA	Smoke alarms are required in all homes. New home construction mandates hardwired smoke alarms with battery back-up.
IOWA	Smoke alarms are required in all homes. New home construction mandates hardwired smoke alarms with battery back-up.
KANSAS	Smoke alarms are required in all homes. New home construction mandates hardwired smoke alarms with battery back-up.
KENTUCKY	Smoke alarms are required in all homes. New home construction mandates hardwired smoke alarms with battery back-up.
LOUISANA	Smoke alarms are required in all homes. New home construction mandates hardwired smoke alarms with battery back-up.
MAINE	Smoke alarms are required in all homes. Photoelectric smoke alarm must be installed near bathrooms/kitchen. New home construction mandates hardwired smoke alarms with battery back-up.
MARYLAND	Smoke alarms are required in all homes. New home construction mandates hardwired smoke alarms with battery back-up.
MASSACHUSETTS	Smoke alarms are required in all homes. Smoke alarms installed within 20 feet of kitchens and bathrooms must be photoelectric only New home construction mandates hardwired smoke alarms with battery back-up.
MICHIGAN	Smoke alarms are required in all homes. New home construction mandates hardwired smoke alarms with battery back-up.
MINNESOTA	Smoke alarms are required in all homes. New home construction mandates hardwired smoke alarms with battery back-up.
MISSISSIPPI	Smoke alarms are required in all homes. New home construction mandates hardwired smoke alarms with battery back-up.
MISSOURI	Smoke alarms are required in all homes. New home construction mandates hardwired smoke alarms with battery back-up.
MONTANA	Smoke alarms are required in all homes. New home construction mandates hardwired smoke alarms with battery back-up.
NEBRASKA	Smoke alarms are required in all homes. New home construction mandates hardwired smoke alarms with battery back-up.
NEVADA	Smoke alarms are required in all homes. New home construction mandates hardwired smoke alarms with battery back-up.
NEW HAMPSHIRE	Smoke alarms are required in all homes. New home construction mandates hardwired smoke alarms with battery back-up.
NEW JERSEY	Smoke alarms are required in all homes. Smoke alarms powered by a battery must have a non-replaceable, non-removable battery that will power the device for ten years. New home construction mandates hardwired smoke alarms with battery back-up.
NEW MEXICO	Smoke alarms are required in all homes. New home construction mandates hardwired smoke alarms with battery back-up.
NEW YORK	Smoke alarms are required in all homes. All replacement Smoke alarms must be hard-wired or powered by a 10-year sealed battery. New home construction mandates hardwired smoke alarms with battery back-up.
NORTH CAROLINA	Smoke alarms are required in all homes. New home construction mandates hardwired smoke alarms with battery back-up.
NORTH DAKOTA	Smoke alarms are required in all homes. New home construction mandates hardwired smoke alarms with battery back-up.
OHIO	Smoke alarms are required in all homes. In new construction, hard-wired combination smoke alarms utilizing both photoelectric and ionization technology must be installed.
OKLAHOMA	Smoke alarms are required in all homes. New home construction mandates hardwired smoke alarms with battery back-up.
OREGON	Smoke alarms are required in all homes. All ionization smoke alarms must have a sealed 10-year battery and a hush mechanism allowing the alarm to be silenced for no more than 15 minutes. New home construction mandates hardwired smoke alarms with battery back-up.
PENNSYLVANIA	Smoke alarms are required in all homes. New home construction mandates hardwired smoke alarms with battery back-up.
RHODE ISLAND	Smoke alarms are required in all homes. Specific types and locations required will vary based on age of home. New home construction mandates hardwired smoke alarms with battery back-up.
SOUTH CAROLINA	Smoke alarms are required in all homes. New home construction mandates hardwired smoke alarms with battery back-up.
SOUTH DAKOTA	Smoke alarms are required in all homes. New home construction mandates hardwired smoke alarms with battery back-up.
TENNESSEE	Smoke alarms are required in all homes. New home construction mandates hardwired smoke alarms with battery back-up.
TEXAS	Smoke alarms are required in all homes. New home construction mandates hardwired smoke alarms with battery back-up.
UTAH	Smoke alarms are required in all homes.Battery-powered smoke alarms should only be replaced with 10-year sealed battery-powered alarms. New home construction mandates hardwired smoke alarms with battery back-up.
VERMONT	Smoke alarms are required in all homes. All smoke alarms must utilize photoelectric technology. New home construction mandates hardwired smoke alarms with battery back-up.
VIRGINIA	Smoke alarms are required in all homes. New home construction mandates hardwired smoke alarms with battery back-up.
WASHINGTON	Smoke alarms are required in all homes. New home construction mandates hardwired smoke alarms with battery back-up.
WEST VIRGINA	Smoke alarms are required in all homes. New home construction mandates hardwired smoke alarms with battery back-up.
WISCONSIN	Smoke alarms are required in all homes. New home construction mandates hardwired smoke alarms with battery back-up.
WYOMING	Smoke alarms are required in all homes. New home construction mandates hardwired smoke alarms with battery back-up.

What is the California requirement for smoke detectors?

Presently the California State Building Code requires that smoke alarms be located in 1) the hallway outside the bedrooms 2) in each bedroom and 3) on every floor regardless of whether there is a bedroom on that floor. The California State Building Code has required this at least since 2007.

Are smoke detectors required when selling a house in California?

Generally, yes. Smoke alarms are required to be installed as a point of sale for single family homes, duplexes and factory-built homes unless the transaction is TDS exempt.