Berwyn, IL Building Safety: Carbon Monoxide Detectors (2026)

Section 1443.09 of the Berwyn Code of Ordinances, adopted by Ord. 00-51 on 11-14-2000, makes a carbon monoxide detector a condition of getting a building permit. The rule is triggered by three facts together. The work must be construction, reconstruction or remodeling. The space must be intended for use as a sleeping or recreational area. And that space must be on the same level or floor of a building on which a gas-fired heating unit is located. A finished basement bedroom or rec room beside a gas furnace is squarely inside that description.

When all three facts are present, the permit cannot be issued unless there is at least one fully-functioning carbon monoxide detector placed between any gas-fired heating unit and the sleeping or recreational area. The city does not print a distance or a model in the section. Instead, placement must follow the detector's manufacturer's recommendations, so the installation instructions in the box are the controlling placement standard.

The section is written as a limit on permit issuance and sits in Chapter 1443, Permits and Certificates of Occupancy. That fits how the Building Director reviews applications: under § 1443.02(A), the Director rejects an application that does not conform to the pertinent laws and notifies the applicant of the reasons, and issues the permit only when the work conforms to the Building Code and applicable ordinances. A permit is a license to proceed, not authority to violate the code (§ 1443.03(B)), and all work must conform to the approved application and construction documents (§ 1443.03(C)).

The certificate of occupancy comes next. It is required before a newly built or altered building is occupied, and the Director must issue it within 30 days after completion of the work described in the application (§ 1443.04(B) and (C)).