Lincoln, NE Building Safety: Carbon Monoxide Detectors (2026)
Key Facts
- Alarms required
- One per floor of dwelling
- Extra trigger
- Fuel-burning appliance in bedroom
- Extra trigger
- Or its attached bathroom
- Governing code
- Lincoln Residential Building Code
- Adopted via
- Ord. 20937 (2020)
Summary
Lincoln requires one carbon monoxide alarm on each floor of a dwelling, plus an extra alarm inside any bedroom with a fuel-burning appliance or attached bathroom that has one.
R315.3 Location. One carbon monoxide alarm shall be installed on each floor of a dwelling unit. Where a fuel-burning appliance is located within a bedroom or its attached bathroom, a carbon monoxide alarm shall be installed within the bedroom. (Ord. 20937 §74; June 29, 2020).
20.12.380 Section R317.1 Amended; Location Required.
Section R317.1 of the International Residential Code is amended to read as follows:
R317.1 Location required. Protection of wood and wood based products from decay shall be provided in the following locations by the use of naturally durable wood or wood that is preservative-treated in accordance with AWPA U1 for the species, product, preservative and end use. Preservatives shall be listed in Section 4 of AWPA U1.
https://online.encodeplus.com/regs/lincoln-ne/doc-viewer.aspx#secid-6263
975/1518
8/11/26, 11:58 PM
Document Viewer | Municipal Code
1. Wood joists or the bottom of a wood structural floor when closer than 18 inches or wood girders when closer than 12 inches to the exposed ground in crawl spaces or unexcavated area located within the periphery of the building foundation.
2. All wood framing members that rest on concrete or masonry exterior foundation walls and are less than 8 inches from the exposed ground.
3. Sills and sleepers on a concrete or masonry slab that is in direct contact with the ground unless separated from such slab by an impervious moisture barrier.
Full Breakdown
The Lincoln Residential Building Code amends IRC Section R315.3 to require at least one carbon monoxide alarm on every floor of a dwelling unit, not just near sleeping areas. If a fuel-burning appliance sits inside a bedroom or its attached bathroom, that bedroom needs its own CO alarm in addition to the floor-level alarm. The rule applies citywide to residential construction and alterations covered by the Lincoln Residential Building Code.
Violations & Fines
Enforced through the Building and Safety Department's residential permitting and inspection process under Chapter 20.12; noncompliant construction can fail inspection and delay occupancy or permit close-out.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a CO alarm on every floor, even without a furnace there?
What if a fuel-burning appliance is in a bedroom?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lincoln
Compare Lincoln to another location·View the Nebraska building safety overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.