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Warwick, RI Building Safety: Carbon Monoxide Detectors (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Inspecting officials
Building official and fire marshal
Inspection frequency
Annual, tied to the permit
Standard applied
State Fire Code, as amended
Permit term
Jan 1 to Dec 31 yearly
Max fine
$500 per day, per violation
Revocation trigger
2 violations in 12 months

Summary

Before Warwick issues a short-term rental permit, the building official and fire marshal must inspect the unit and confirm smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are installed in compliance with the State Fire Code. The same annual inspection sets the unit's occupancy limit and checks parking.

After applying for the short-term rental permit, the dwelling unit shall be subject to annual inspection by the building official or his/her designee and the fire marshal. The purpose of the inspection is to determine the occupancy limit of the unit pursuant to subsection 510.8, to determine if smoke and CO detectors are installed in compliance with the State Fire Code, as amended, for dwelling units and to determine the number of off-street and on-street parking spaces available. The building official or his/her designee shall issue a short-term rental permit stating the maximum occupancy for the dwelling unit.

View official code

Full Breakdown

4(D). 6, the dwelling unit is subject to an annual inspection carried out jointly by the building official (or a designee) and the fire marshal. 8, confirming that smoke and CO detectors are installed in compliance with the State Fire Code as amended, and counting the off-street and on-street parking spaces available at the property. Only after this inspection is completed does the building official issue the short-term rental permit stating the unit's maximum occupancy. 6, an owner who lets detectors lapse risks losing the permit rather than facing a stand-alone detector citation.

This inspection applies to residential property short-term rented under Chapter 510; long-term owner-occupied housing instead falls under the separate smoke detector rule at Code section 20-15 for pre-1976 dwellings and state law for newer construction.

Violations & Fines

Operating a short-term rental without the required annual inspection and permit exposes the owner to a fine of up to $500.00 per day under section 510.11(B), with each day of a continuing violation charged as a separate offense. Two violations on the same property let the zoning enforcement official revoke the rental permit outright, barring a new one for 12 months, appealable to the zoning board of review under section 906.4.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Warwick require carbon monoxide detectors in every rental?
The zoning ordinance ties the CO detector check to short-term rentals specifically. Section 510.4(D) requires the building official and fire marshal to confirm smoke and CO detectors meet the State Fire Code during the annual short-term rental inspection, before a permit issues. Long-term residential rentals fall under the separate smoke detector rule in Code section 20-15 and state statute, not this section.
When does the CO detector inspection happen?
It happens after the owner files the annual short-term rental permit registration form, due by December 31 for the following calendar year under section 510.6. The building official or a designee, together with the fire marshal, then inspect before the permit stating maximum occupancy is issued under section 510.4(D).
What happens if my rental fails the detector inspection?
The unit won't receive its short-term rental permit until detectors comply with the State Fire Code. Renting without the permit is enforced by a zoning summons and fines up to $500.00 per day under section 510.11(B), and repeat violations can lead to permit revocation for 12 months under section 510.11(C).

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Warwick

Animal Ordinances: Chickens & LivestockSignificant RestrictionsFence Regulations: Height LimitsSome RestrictionsBuilding PermitsSome RestrictionsParking Rules: RV & Boat ParkingSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Commercial & Oversized VehiclesSignificant RestrictionsFence Regulations: Fence Permit RequirementsSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Material RestrictionsSignificant Restrictions

All Warwick rules

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