Huntington Beach, CA Building Safety: Carbon Monoxide Detectors (2026)
Key Facts
- Required equipment
- CO detector, smoke detector, extinguisher
- Who must comply
- STR host or operator
- Governing chapter
- HBMC Chapter 5.120 (STRs)
- Fine
- $1,000 per violation, per day
- Enforcing office
- Community Development Director
Summary
Huntington Beach requires every short-term rental host or operator to provide and maintain working carbon monoxide detectors, smoke detectors and fire extinguishers as a condition of holding an STR Permit under Chapter 5.120.
The host or operator shall provide and maintain working fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, and carbon monoxide detectors, in compliance with life, fire, and safety codes; and information related to emergency exit routes on the property, local contact, and emergency contact information.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4954605; v17 updated 2026-06-16).
Full Breakdown
050(B) makes it a standing host obligation to "provide and maintain working fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, and carbon monoxide detectors, in compliance with life, fire, and safety codes," and to keep information on emergency exit routes, the local contact, and emergency contact numbers available at the property. 050(A), which requires hosts to give guests information on occupancy, parking, noise rules and quiet hours, and trash disposal before they check in. 070. Because the requirement is folded into the STR chapter rather than the building code, it applies specifically to permitted short-term rental units rather than to every dwelling citywide.
Violations & Fines
Failing to provide or maintain a working carbon monoxide detector at a permitted STR is a violation of chapter conditions under § 5.120.070(A)(3), subject to a $1,000 fine per violation under § 5.120.070(B), with each day of noncompliance a separate violation. Three fines against a host within 12 months triggers permit revocation, suspension, or added conditions under § 5.120.070(C).
Frequently Asked Questions
Are carbon monoxide detectors required in Huntington Beach short-term rentals?
Does the CO detector rule apply to all Huntington Beach homes or just rentals?
What else must an STR host post besides detectors?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Huntington Beach
California rules heatmap·Compare Huntington Beach to another location·View the California building safety overview
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