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.