Houston, TX Building Safety: Carbon Monoxide Detectors (2026)
Key Facts
- Applies to
- Boarding, lodging, correctional/alt-housing facilities
- Trigger
- Any gas utility service to building
- Placement
- Sleeping areas, kitchen, laundry area
- Fine
- $500 per day (boarding homes)
- Private homes
- No citywide mandate found in code
Summary
Houston requires boarding homes, lodging facilities and correctional/alternate-housing facilities to install a working carbon monoxide detector in every sleeping area, kitchen and laundry room whenever the building has gas service, under Chapter 28's facility operating rules.
Provide and maintain an operable smoke alarm and, if any gas utility is provided, a carbon monoxide detector in each sleeping area, kitchen, and laundry area. The owner or operator shall ensure that these devices remain in good working order.
Full Breakdown
Houston's Code of Ordinances requires licensed boarding homes, lodging facilities, and correctional/alternate housing facilities to 'provide and maintain an operable smoke alarm and, if any gas utility is provided, a carbon monoxide detector in each sleeping area, kitchen, and laundry area,' per Sec. 28-466(g)(6) (boarding homes), with identical language at Sec. 28-157(g)(6) and Sec. 28-615(f)(6) for the other two facility types. Owners and operators must keep the devices in good working order; a hearing-impaired resident also triggers a visual smoke alarm requirement. There's no comparable citywide mandate covering private single-family homes in the code text.
Violations & Fines
Violating boarding-home operating rules, including the CO detector mandate, is punishable by a $500 fine per Sec. 28-457, with each day a separate offense; repeated violations can trigger permit revocation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Houston require CO detectors in regular houses?
Where must the detector go?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Houston
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Houston to another location·View the Texas building safety overview
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Carbon Monoxide Detectors in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Harris County handle carbon monoxide detectors.