California Health & Safety Code §17926 requires carbon monoxide alarms in every Richmond dwelling that has a fossil-fuel appliance, fireplace, or attached garage. Alarms must be installed outside each sleeping area and on every level, and sellers must certify compliance at the point of sale.
California's Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention Act (SB 183, 2010) added Health & Safety Code §§17926–17926.2, requiring CO alarms in all dwelling units with a fuel-burning appliance (gas furnace, gas water heater, gas range, gas fireplace, wood stove) or an attached garage. Richmond enforces these requirements through its Building Regulations Division. Required locations mirror smoke alarm placement: outside each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedrooms and on every level of the dwelling, including basements. For new construction and permitted remodels of attached dwellings where the work exceeds $1,000 or adds a sleeping room, CO alarms must be hardwired with battery backup and interconnected. Battery-only alarms in existing dwellings are acceptable provided they meet UL 2034 standards. Combination smoke/CO alarms are allowed. Rental property owners must install and maintain CO alarms; tenants are responsible for notifying landlords of malfunctions. Sellers must certify CO alarm compliance on the Real Estate Transfer Disclosure Statement. Failure to install CO alarms after notice can result in a $200 civil penalty under HSC §17926.1.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
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