Suffolk County, NY Building Safety: Carbon Monoxide Detectors (2026)
Key Facts
- Trigger
- New heating system in existing home
- Enforcing agency
- Suffolk County Office of Consumer Affairs
- First-violation fine
- Up to $750
- Repeat-violation fine
- Up to $1,500
- Installer recordkeeping
- Signed notice kept 7 years
Summary
Suffolk County requires a carbon monoxide detector whenever a new home heating system is installed in an existing one- or two-family residence, unless a working detector is already in place there.
Whenever a home heating system is installed in an existing residence within the County of Suffolk, the owner of such residence shall install, or caused to be installed, a carbon monoxide detector; except, however, this section shall not apply if a working carbon monoxide detector is already installed in such premises.
B. Prior to installation of a home heating system, the installer of such heating system shall notify the owner of the residence, in writing, of the requirements of this section on a form as attached hereto as Exhibit A, which form may be amended as determined by the Director of the Suffolk County Office of Consumer Affairs.[1] One copy of said form shall be given to the homeowner by the installer, and one copy of said form shall be retained by the installer for a period of at least seven years from the date of signature of the homeowner. [1] Editor's Note: Exhibit A is on file in the County offices.
C. Each alarm required to be installed by this section shall be mounted in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions, and shall be installed as required by all applicable codes and regulations, including, but not limited to, the Suffolk County Department of Health Services Carbon Monoxide Alarm Standards.
Full Breakdown
Under Suffolk County Code § 360-3, installing a new home heating system, a residential burner, forced-air or hydronic unit, or a direct-fired water heater burning fuel oil, natural gas, or propane, in an existing one- or two-family residence triggers a duty to install a carbon monoxide detector, unless a working one is already installed. Before installing the system, the installer must notify the homeowner in writing of this requirement and keep a signed copy of that notice for at least seven years. Detectors must be mounted per the manufacturer's instructions and comply with the Suffolk County Department of Health Services' Carbon Monoxide Alarm Standards. The Suffolk County Office of Consumer Affairs enforces the installer notice duty.
Violations & Fines
An installer who skips the required written notice faces a fine of up to $750 for a first violation and up to $1,500 for each later one, plus possible suspension or revocation of the installer's county license.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this law require CO detectors in every Suffolk County home?
Who must give notice of the requirement?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Suffolk County
New York rules heatmap·Compare Suffolk County to another location·View the New York building safety overview
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