Title 12. Building and Material Codes; Other Safety Provisions — Subtitle 11. Carbon Monoxide Alarms
Statutes in effect as of October 1, 2026.
Md. Code Ann., Pub. Safety § 12-1101 (2026)
Title 12. Building and Material Codes; Other Safety Provisions
Subtitle 11. Carbon Monoxide Alarms
§ 12–1101LinkCopy Citation
(a)
In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.
(b)
“Carbon monoxide alarm” means a device that:
(1)
senses carbon monoxide;
(2)
when sensing carbon monoxide, is capable of emitting a distinct and audible sound;
(3)
is listed and carries the listing of a nationally recognized testing laboratory approved by the Office of the State Fire Marshal; and
(4)
(i)
is wired into an alternating current (AC) powerline with secondary battery backup; or
(ii)
for a hotel, a lodging or rooming house, or a rental dwelling unit:
(1)
is wired into an alternating current (AC) powerline with secondary battery backup;
(2)
is battery–powered, sealed, tamper resistant, and using a long–life battery that has a life of not less than 10 years; or
(3)
is connected to an on–site control unit that monitors the carbon monoxide alarm remotely so that a responsible party is alerted when the device activates the alarm signal and receives its primary power from a battery or the control unit.
(c)
(1)
“Dwelling” means a building or part of a building that provides living or sleeping facilities for one or more individuals.
(2)
“Dwelling” includes a one or two family dwelling, multifamily dwelling, hotel, lodging or rooming house, or dormitory.
(d)
“Hotel” has the meaning stated in § 9–201 of this article.
(e)
“Install” means to attach to the wall or ceiling of a dwelling in accordance with:
(1)
the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 720 standard for the installation of carbon monoxide warning equipment in dwelling units; and
(2)
the manufacturer’s recommendations.
(f)
“Lodging or rooming house” has the meaning stated in § 9–201 of this article.
(g)
“Rental dwelling unit” has the meaning stated in § 6–801 of the Environment Article.
(h)
“Sleeping area” has the meaning stated in § 9–101 of this article.
Md. Code Ann., Pub. Safety § 12-1102 (2026)
Title 12. Building and Material Codes; Other Safety Provisions
Subtitle 11. Carbon Monoxide Alarms
§ 12–1102LinkCopy Citation
This subtitle only applies to:
(1)
a dwelling that:
(i)
relies on the combustion of a fossil fuel for heat, ventilation, hot water, or clothes dryer operation; and
(ii)
is a newly constructed dwelling for which a building permit is issued on or after January 1, 2008; or
(2)
a hotel, a lodging or rooming house, or a rental dwelling unit.
Md. Code Ann., Pub. Safety § 12-1103 (2026)
Title 12. Building and Material Codes; Other Safety Provisions
Subtitle 11. Carbon Monoxide Alarms
§ 12–1103LinkCopy Citation
A carbon monoxide alarm may be combined with a smoke alarm if the combined device complies with:
(1)
this subtitle;
(2)
Title 9 of this article; and
(3)
American National Standards Institute (ANSI)/Underwriters Laboratories (UL) standards 217 and 2034 or ANSI/UL 268 and 2075.
Md. Code Ann., Pub. Safety § 12-1104 (2026)
Title 12. Building and Material Codes; Other Safety Provisions
Subtitle 11. Carbon Monoxide Alarms
§ 12–1104LinkCopy Citation
(a)
Except as provided in subsections (b) and (c) of this section, there must be a carbon monoxide alarm installed in a central location outside of each sleeping area within a dwelling subject to this subtitle.
(b)
For a hotel or a lodging or rooming house, on or after April 1, 2017, there must be a carbon monoxide alarm installed within the dwelling, as follows:
(1)
on the wall inside each guest room that:
(i)
contains a device that emits carbon monoxide;
(ii)
is adjacent to a room or area that contains a device that emits carbon monoxide;
(iii)
is adjacent to an enclosed unventilated attached garage; or
(iv)
is connected by ductwork to an enclosed unventilated attached garage or room or area that contains a device that emits carbon monoxide; and
(2)
on a wall in each room or area that:
(i)
contains a device that emits carbon monoxide;
(ii)
is adjacent to a room or area that contains a device that emits carbon monoxide; or
(iii)
is adjacent to an enclosed unventilated attached garage.
(c)
For a rental dwelling unit, on or after April 1, 2018, there must be a carbon monoxide alarm installed within the dwelling as follows:
(1)
outside and in the immediate vicinity of each separate sleeping area; and
(2)
on every level of the unit, including the basement.
(d)
Notwithstanding subsections (a), (b), and (c) of this section, if there is a centralized alarm system that is capable of emitting a distinct and audible sound to warn all occupants, the owner of a dwelling may install a carbon monoxide alarm within 25 feet of any carbon monoxide–producing fixture and equipment.
Md. Code Ann., Pub. Safety § 12-1105 (2026)
Title 12. Building and Material Codes; Other Safety Provisions
Subtitle 11. Carbon Monoxide Alarms
§ 12–1105LinkCopy Citation
Except as part of routine maintenance, a person may not render a carbon monoxide alarm inoperable.
Md. Code Ann., Pub. Safety § 12-1106 (2026)
Title 12. Building and Material Codes; Other Safety Provisions
Subtitle 11. Carbon Monoxide Alarms
§ 12–1106LinkCopy Citation
This subtitle does not prevent a county or municipal corporation from enacting more stringent laws that relate to carbon monoxide alarms.