Lexington, KY Building Safety: Carbon Monoxide Detectors (2026)
Key Facts
- CO detector requirement
- At least 1 per short-term rental
- Installation standard
- Kentucky Residential Code placement
- Also required
- Smoke detectors, fire extinguisher, egress opening
- Duration of duty
- Maintained 'at all times'
- 1st offense fine
- $125
Summary
Every short-term rental licensed in Lexington-Fayette County must contain a working carbon monoxide detector, installed as the Kentucky Residential Code requires, along with working smoke detectors, a charged fire extinguisher on each habitable floor, and an operable emergency escape opening in every sleeping room.
Every short-term rental owned by the licensee meets and complies with the following at all times: Contains sufficient smoke detectors installed and in working order as required in section 12-1 of the Code of Ordinances; Contains at least one (1) functional carbon monoxide detector installed in an appropriate location as set forth in the Kentucky Residential Code; Contains at least one (1) maintained and charged fire extinguisher located in an open and easily accessible location on each habitable floor of the short-term rental; Contains at least one (1) operable emergency and rescue opening in every sleeping room, as set forth in the Kentucky Residential Code;
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Republication | Zoning Ordinance: Republication).
Full Breakdown
' These safety items must be maintained 'at all times,' not just at initial licensing: a licensee's original application under § 13-77 also requires an affidavit confirming these health-and-safety requirements are satisfied. A property that loses compliance with the CO-detector duty is in violation of § 13-79, which is enforceable under §§ 13-76 through 13-82 the same as any other duty in that article, exposing the licensee to civil fines and, on a second violation in one license term, revocation of the special fees license.
Violations & Fines
Failing to maintain a functional carbon monoxide detector is a violation of § 13-79, enforced by Division of Revenue citation officers under § 13-81 with civil penalties starting at $125 for a first offense and rising to $250, $500 and $1,000 for later offenses, each day of noncompliance after notice counting separately. Two violations in one license term can trigger revocation of the STR's special fees license under § 13-77.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Lexington short-term rentals need carbon monoxide detectors?
What other safety equipment does a Lexington STR need?
What happens if an STR is missing a CO detector during an inspection?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lexington
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