Frederick, MD Building Safety: Carbon Monoxide Detectors (2026)

Sec. 5, adopted by Ordinance No. G-23-09, effective June 15, 2023). Subsection (b)(3), titled 'Alarms,' specifically requires that carbon monoxide alarms, alongside smoke alarms, be installed and maintained in accordance with state and local laws, and directs that whichever standard is more restrictive controls if the state and city rules conflict. This sits alongside dozens of incorporated International Property Maintenance Code provisions the city adopted for rental housing, but alarms are called out as their own numbered maintenance item. Compliance is not self-certifying: Sec. 5-80 requires the Department of Public Works to randomly inspect at least 15% of licensed rental units each year, and to inspect for cause when a unit's condition or violation history suggests risk of harm to tenants.

If an inspector finds a missing or non-functioning carbon monoxide alarm, the Department issues a notice of violation with a compliance deadline; a second and, if necessary, a third inspection follow, and Sec. 5-81 authorizes the Director to revoke the rental license if the alarm violation is not corrected by the third inspection. Because Sec. 5-78 makes it unlawful to rent a unit without a current license, a revocation over an uncorrected alarm violation removes the owner's authority to rent that unit until it is fixed and a new license issued.