Prince George's County, MD Building Safety: Carbon Monoxide Detectors (2026)

Sec. 11-295 of the County Code applies to any new residential unit permitted on or after January 1, 2007, any existing unit sold or transferred, and to all new and existing one- and two-family, multi-family, hotel, motel, and dormitory dwellings that have a gas heating system, fuel-burning appliance, or an attached garage. The compliance deadline for existing residential dwellings was July 1, 2014. New construction requires detectors hardwired to the building's power supply with battery backup; existing homes may use AC and/or battery-powered units. Every detector must be an Underwriters Laboratory 2034-listed product or equivalent and carry the label of a nationally recognized testing laboratory.

At least one detector is required on each level of a one- or two-family home close to sleeping quarters. Owners of multi-family apartment houses must install a detector in every dwelling unit; hotel and motel owners must install one in a central location outside each sleeping area (subject to Public Safety Article Sec. 12-1104 limits); dormitory owners must install units near sleeping areas. When a home is sold, the seller or transferor is responsible for installing the required detectors before or at the time of transfer, and every deed conveyance of a multi-family unit requires the grantor to certify to the new owner that the detectors are installed and working.

Property owners and agents of multi-family buildings, hotels, motels, and dormitories must inspect and maintain the detectors annually per the manufacturer's schedule and must give tenants access to the maintenance instructions.