Clackamas County, OR Building Safety: Carbon Monoxide Detectors (2026)
Key Facts
- Detector requirement
- Smoke and CO detectors, § 8.10.050(J)(1)
- Placement standard
- Oregon Residential Specialty Code
- Applies to
- Registered short-term rentals
- Also required
- 2 fire extinguishers per dwelling unit
- Enforcement
- Citation, fine, or registration revocation
Summary
Clackamas County's only codified carbon monoxide detector mandate applies to short-term rentals: Section 8.10.050(J)(1) requires working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors installed and maintained as the Oregon Residential Specialty Code requires, on top of two fire extinguishers.
J. Building and Fire Safety. A short-term rental shall comply with all ordinances that apply to a dwelling, and all structural components shall be kept in sound condition and good repair. In addition:
1. Working smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors shall be installed and maintained in locations as required by the Oregon Residential Specialty Code.
2. Working fire extinguishers shall be placed in the kitchen and next to each wood burning appliance in an easily accessible location. A minimum of two (2) extinguishers are required in each Dwelling Unit.
3. Code-compliant pool and hot tub barriers shall be present.
4. Every sleeping area shall have not less than one operable emergency escape and rescue opening, including basement sleeping areas.
5. The dwelling shall have no open building or zoning code violations.
[Added by Ord. 04-2023, 9/7/23]
Full Breakdown
050(J) requires a short-term rental to comply with all ordinances that apply to a dwelling and to keep every structural component in sound condition and good repair. Within that subsection, item 1 specifically requires "working smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors" installed and maintained "in locations as required by the Oregon Residential Specialty Code," tying the county's rule to the state building code's placement standards rather than setting an independent county standard. The same building-and-fire-safety subsection layers on additional equipment requirements for a registered short-term rental: working fire extinguishers placed in the kitchen and next to each wood-burning appliance, with a minimum of two extinguishers required in each dwelling unit; code-compliant pool and hot tub barriers where applicable; at least one operable emergency escape and rescue opening in every sleeping area, including basement sleeping areas; and no open building or zoning code violations on the dwelling.
This detector requirement is embedded in the short-term rental registration standards, so it is enforced as a condition of keeping that registration rather than as a freestanding county-wide detector mandate for every residence.
Violations & Fines
A short-term rental found without a working smoke or carbon monoxide detector violates Section 8.10.050(J)(1) and can be cited under the Chapter 8.10 enforcement process. Section 8.10.080(D) allows an immediate citation without a prior warning letter, and the cited owner has 30 days to fix the deficiency and pay any penalty or request a hearing under Chapter 2.07. Section 8.10.090 authorizes suspension or revocation of the short-term rental registration plus a fine set by Board of County Commissioners resolution. If a missing detector is bound up with a dangerous-building posting under Chapter 9.01, the Building Official can revoke the registration on an emergency basis under Section 8.10.070, with any appeal combined with the dangerous-building appeal under Section 9.01.150.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Clackamas County require carbon monoxide detectors?
What detector locations does the rule require?
What happens if a short-term rental is missing a required detector?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Clackamas County
Compare Clackamas County to another location·View the Oregon building safety overview
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