Does Arizona Require CO Detectors? Sober Living and Local Rules
Last verified: February 16, 2026
Arizona carbon monoxide detector laws do not create a broad statewide mandate for all homes or rentals. State-level obligations are focused on specific licensed settings, especially sober living homes under ARS 36-2062 and A.A.C. R9-12-206, plus transitional housing policies under ARS 36-4202. For most residential properties, practical requirements depend on local adoption of building and fire codes such as IRC R315 in cities including Phoenix, Tucson, Scottsdale, Mesa, and Tempe.
Owners should verify local code edition, occupancy classification, and permit scope before assuming exemption. This Arizona compliance model is local-code driven for typical housing but statute-driven for licensed care-related occupancy types.
Key Takeaways
| Applies to homes? | No |
|---|---|
| Applies to rentals? | No |
| Applies to hotels/STRs? | Not confirmed — check local codes |
When Are CO Alarms Required?
- Buildings with fuel-burning appliances
- Licensed sober living homes: CO detectors required when there is a gas line in the home (A.A.C. R9-12-206(A)(3)).
- Licensed transitional housing facilities: policies must address installation of functioning CO detectors and compliance with local fire codes (ARS 36-4202).
- Local building codes: Phoenix (2024 IRC), Tucson (2024 IRC), Scottsdale (2021 IRC), Mesa (2024 IRC), and Tempe (2018 IRC) all adopt IRC R315 for new residential construction. Other cities and counties may have separate requirements.
Where to Install CO Alarms
- Sober living home: a bedroom used by a resident (R9-12-206(A)(3)(a)).
- Sober living home: a hallway (R9-12-206(A)(3)(b)).
- Sober living home: the kitchen (R9-12-206(A)(3)(c)).
For detailed placement guidance beyond legal requirements, see where to place carbon monoxide detectors.
Device Requirements
- Either battery operated or, if hard-wired into the electrical system of the sober living home, have a back-up battery (R9-12-206(A)(4)(a)).
- In working order (R9-12-206(A)(4)(b)).
Landlord and Tenant Responsibilities
- Sober living home: the manager is responsible for CO detectors per R9-12-206.
- ARS Title 33, Chapter 10 (Landlord-Tenant) does not include CO detector obligations — only smoke detectors (§33-1324).
Enforcement
Enforced by: Arizona Department of Health Services (licensure for sober living/transitional housing) and local fire/building code authorities.
Enforcement typically occurs:
- During licensure and compliance checks for sober living homes and transitional housing facilities.
- Local building departments enforce IRC R315 during new construction inspections where locally adopted.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
No statewide CO-specific penalties. Sober living home violations fall under licensure enforcement. Local code violations subject to local enforcement mechanisms.
Additional Notes
- Arizona has no statewide residential CO alarm statute. Multiple fabricated citations (ARS 36-1451, ARS 36-601) circulate online — these do not exist on azleg.gov.
- The statewide fire code (IFC 2018) applies to commercial occupancies but the IRC is NOT adopted statewide — only the IFC, IBC, IEBC, and UMC.
- Major cities adopt the IRC locally: Phoenix and Tucson (2024 IRC), Scottsdale (2021 IRC), Mesa (2024 IRC), Tempe (2018 IRC). IRC R315 applies to new residential construction in these jurisdictions.
Official Sources & References
- Arizona Revised Statutes § 36-2062 (Sober living homes) — §36-2062 (state code, accessed 2026-02-16)
Sober living home policies must address CO detectors and local fire code compliance. - Arizona Revised Statutes § 36-4202 (Transitional housing facilities) — §36-4202 (state code, accessed 2026-02-16)
Transitional housing policies must address CO detectors and local fire code compliance. - Arizona Administrative Code — Sober Living Homes (Title 9, Chapter 12) — R9-12-206 Emergency and Safety Standards — R9-12-206(A)(3)-(4) (agency guidance, accessed 2026-02-16)
Detailed CO detector placement and device requirements for licensed sober living homes.
Disclaimer: This information is provided for general guidance and is not legal advice. Requirements may vary by city, county, and building type. Always verify current rules with local authorities and official sources.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a statewide Arizona home mandate for CO alarms?
No broad statewide Arizona statute requires carbon monoxide alarms in every private home. The strongest statewide legal anchors are ARS 36-2062 and A.A.C. R9-12-206, which address licensed sober living operations, not all residential occupancy. For standard single-family homes and many rentals, requirements usually come from local building-code adoption and project triggers. Owners should check city or county code enforcement practice before assuming no duty exists. This distinction is central to Arizona carbon monoxide detector compliance planning.
What does ARS 36-2062 require for sober living homes?
ARS 36-2062 and related rule language in A.A.C. R9-12-206 require licensed sober living homes to provide functioning carbon monoxide detectors in specified locations. The rule set addresses bedroom, hallway, and kitchen coverage and allows battery or hardwired devices with backup depending on configuration. Because these are licensure-linked requirements, noncompliance can affect licensing status in addition to safety outcomes. Operators should keep maintenance records, testing schedules, and replacement logs ready for regulatory review under Arizona oversight programs.
How do Arizona apartments and condos get CO requirements?
For many apartments and condos in Arizona, carbon monoxide alarm duties are defined by locally adopted building and fire codes rather than one statewide residential detector statute. Municipal adoption of IRC or IFC language can create enforceable placement and power requirements, especially during new construction or permit-based renovation. Property managers should verify the exact code edition in the city where the building sits, then align lease operations and maintenance procedures with that local framework. This local-first process is the practical compliance standard across most Arizona multifamily portfolios.
Under Arizona rules, which factors can require alarms in all-electric homes?
An all-electric home may fall outside many source-based trigger rules, but Arizona owners should still verify local code text before classifying a unit as exempt. In multi-unit settings, shared walls, attached spaces, or neighboring combustion equipment can create carbon monoxide risk even if one unit has no gas appliances. Local officials evaluate actual building conditions, not only utility type labels. As a risk-management practice, many operators install alarms in borderline scenarios and document that decision in maintenance files to support defensible safety operations.
Where should detectors be placed in Arizona sober living operations?
A.A.C. R9-12-206 provides direct Arizona placement guidance for licensed sober living homes, including bedroom, hallway, and kitchen coverage. Devices must remain in working order, and power configuration must meet the rule requirements for battery or hardwired units with backup. Operators should supplement rule text with manufacturer instructions and local fire-code expectations to reduce nuisance alarms and failed inspections. During audits, regulators often focus on both placement and operability, so periodic documented testing is as important as initial installation.
For Arizona operators, what compliance step differs most from California practice?
Arizona and California use different legal models. California has a broader statewide residential framework in Health and Safety Code Section 17926 and CRC R315, while Arizona primarily uses targeted statewide rules for licensed settings plus local code adoption for many homes and rentals. Multi-state operators should not reuse one checklist across both states. For a statewide-residential comparison point, review California CO detector laws before setting procurement, inspection, and maintenance policies.
Practical CO Detector Guides
Beyond legal requirements, these guides help you choose, install, and maintain CO alarms:
- Where to place carbon monoxide detectors — room-by-room placement recommendations
- CO detector beeping patterns — what different alarms mean
- What to do if your detector goes off — emergency response checklist
- CO resources and links — official agencies and safety information