Corpus Christi, TX Building Safety: Carbon Monoxide Detectors (2026)

Section 5-42(3) of the Code of Ordinances lists five life-safety standards that apply to "all short-term rentals permitted pursuant to this chapter," covering both owner-occupied Type 1 and non-owner-occupied Type 2 units. Subsection (3)c requires that "smoke and carbon monoxide detectors shall be installed and conform to all applicable city-adopted codes, regulations, and ordinances," meaning the detectors must meet whatever standard the city's adopted building and fire codes set, not just be present. The same subsection also requires a 2A:10B:C-type, five-pound fire extinguisher mounted within 75 feet of every part of the rental on each floor, at least one operable emergency escape and rescue opening in every sleeping area, and a conspicuously posted evacuation plan in each unit or permitted sleeping area.

If a bedroom or sleeping area cannot meet these standards, Section 5-42(3)f bars it from being used as a sleeping area: where it has a door, the door must stay locked whenever the dwelling operates as a short-term rental, the space is excluded from the property's maximum occupancy calculation under the city's Property Maintenance Code, and the owner or operator must notify every occupant in writing that the space may not be used for sleeping. The city enforces these standards through complaint-driven inspections under Section 5-44: development services can inspect a short-term rental when a violation is reported or suspected.

A confirmed violation is prosecuted under Section 5-45 as a strict-liability offense, with each day of noncompliance charged separately, and can trigger permit suspension or revocation under Section 5-47 if the property racks up three or more violations within six months.