New Haven, CT Building Safety: Carbon Monoxide Detectors (2026)
Key Facts
- Required near
- all sleeping areas
- Detector type
- battery, plug-in, or hard-wired
- Exempt
- no fossil-fuel combustion buildings
- Owner duty
- install + give written tenant info
Summary
New Haven's Housing Code mandates carbon monoxide detectors near sleeping areas in every dwelling unit, with an exemption for buildings that don't rely on fossil-fuel combustion for heat, ventilation, or hot water.
(a)Unless otherwise exempted, carbon monoxide detectors shall be installed in all dwelling units and common areas where applicable, (as required by this Code, the Connecticut State Building Code ("SBC") or Connecticut State Fire Code) ("SFC").(b)The detectors shall be installed within the immediate vicinity of all sleeping areas. (Ord. No. 1411, 4-17-06)
Par. 608. - Carbon monoxide detectors; type and installation. (a)Each installed carbon monoxide detector shall be battery-operated, a plug-in-type or hard-wired (where required by this code, building code or fire code).(b)All carbon monoxide detectors must be approved by a nationally recognized standards testing laboratory, and installed in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions, as well as conform to local, state and federal laws and regulations, including this Code, the SBC and SFC. (Ord. No. 1411, 4-17-06)
Par. 609. - Carbon monoxide detectors, exemptions. The following residential units shall not require carbon monoxide detectors:
(1)A residential unit in a building that does not rely on combustion of fossil fuel for heat, ventilation or hot water.(2)Residential units in a building that does not pose a risk of carbon monoxide poisons due to sole dependence on systems that do not emit carbon monoxide. (Ord. No. 1411, 4-17-06)
Par. 610. - Carbon monoxide detectors; owners' responsibilities.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 31 | Zoning: Supplement 32).
Full Breakdown
Title V, Article VI, Division 2 of the Housing Code requires carbon monoxide detectors in all dwelling units and common areas where applicable, installed within the immediate vicinity of all sleeping areas, unless exempted. Units in buildings that don't rely on fossil-fuel combustion for heat, ventilation, or hot water, or that pose no CO risk, are exempt. Detectors must be battery-operated, plug-in, or hard-wired and lab-approved. Owners or their agents must install the detectors and give at least one adult tenant per unit written information on testing and maintenance; tenants must periodically test units and replace batteries. Disabling a detector outside of maintenance or repair is prohibited.
Violations & Fines
Violating any Title V provision, including the carbon monoxide detector mandate, subjects the responsible party to citation and fine under C.G.S. § 7-148(c)(7)(A); each day of noncompliance is a separate violation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does every New Haven rental need a carbon monoxide detector?
Where must CO detectors go in a New Haven dwelling?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in New Haven
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