What Indiana Requires for CO Detectors in New Homes and Renovations
Last verified: February 18, 2026
Indiana carbon monoxide detector laws are implemented through statewide code adoption, including the 2020 Indiana Residential Code in 675 IAC 14-4.4 and related commercial code pathways. The clearest statewide obligations appear in permit-related construction, alteration, addition, or system-replacement scenarios where fuel-burning appliances or attached-garage risk conditions apply.
Indiana's framework is code-centric, so compliance risk is typically managed through local permitting and inspection processes rather than a standalone statewide penalty schedule dedicated only to CO alarms. Hotels are generally addressed through commercial building and fire code enforcement, while no separate statewide rental-only statute creates one universal retroactive duty for all existing rental units.
Owners, builders, and managers should document trigger conditions, installation near sleeping areas, and final inspection outcomes for each project file.
Key Takeaways
| Applies to homes? | Yes |
|---|---|
| Applies to rentals? | No |
| Applies to hotels/STRs? | Yes |
When Are CO Alarms Required?
- Buildings with fuel-burning appliances
- Buildings with attached garages
- New construction
- When building permits are required
Where to Install CO Alarms
- Outside each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of bedrooms.
For detailed placement guidance beyond legal requirements, see where to place carbon monoxide detectors.
Device Requirements
- UL 2034 listed carbon monoxide alarms are used in the adopted R315 pathway.
- Combination smoke and CO units follow UL 2034 and UL 217 pathways.
- Battery backup applies where required by adopted code language and project conditions.
Landlord and Tenant Responsibilities
- The cited Indiana sources do not establish one statewide statute that fully allocates landlord, tenant, and operator CO duties across every occupancy type.
Enforcement
Enforced by: Local building departments and inspection officials under Indiana code-adoption and permitting workflow.
Enforcement typically occurs:
- At permit review and field inspections for covered construction or system work.
- At correction and reinspection stages when code deficiencies are identified.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
The cited code sources focus on permit and inspection enforcement workflow rather than a dedicated statewide CO-alarm fine schedule.
Additional Notes
- No standalone statewide CO alarm statute identified as of 2026. Requirements derive from 675 IAC 14-4.4 adopted under IC 22-13-2-2 authority.
- Indiana compliance is primarily code-and-permit driven in the cited statewide materials.
- Hotel applicability follows Indiana commercial code enforcement pathways; rental applicability remains narrower without one standalone statewide rental statute.
- No statewide transfer-trigger statute was confirmed in the cited Indiana sources.
Official Sources & References
- Indiana Code 22-13-2-2 (Statewide Code of Fire Safety and Building Laws) — IC 22-13-2-2 directing adoption of statewide fire safety and building laws (state code, accessed 2026-02-18)
No standalone statewide CO alarm statute identified as of 2026. IC 22-13-2-2 is the enabling statute directing the Fire Prevention and Building Safety Commission to adopt building codes. CO alarm requirements enter Indiana law through 675 IAC 14-4.4 (adopted under this authority), which incorporates IRC Section R315. - 2020 Indiana Residential Code Final Rule (675 IAC 14-4.4) — 675 IAC 14-4.4 and R315 adoption language (building code, accessed 2026-02-16)
Primary statewide adoption source for Indiana residential CO alarm requirements. - 2020 Indiana Residential Code Final Rule (R315.2.2 permit-triggered provisions) — R315.2.2 alterations, additions, and systems replacement context (building code, accessed 2026-02-16)
Clarifies permit-triggered compliance path and related exceptions used in field enforcement. - Indiana DHS Code Services CO Alarm Template Addition — R315 excerpt and implementation language (agency guidance, accessed 2026-02-16)
State-published implementation aid reflecting Indiana CO alarm code text and location logic. - Indiana DHS Code Services CO Alarm Template Addition (device and power references) — Listing and power-source references in R315 context (agency guidance, accessed 2026-02-16)
Supporting guidance for device listing and power expectations during compliance review.
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
Which Indiana permit or occupancy scenarios trigger mandatory CO alarms?
Indiana's clearest statewide requirements appear through 675 IAC 14-4.4 and adopted R315 pathways when covered dwellings enter permit-driven construction, alteration, or system replacement workflows. Fuel-burning appliances and attached garages are central trigger conditions in these code pathways. Because enforcement is inspection-based, owners should confirm requirements at permit intake instead of waiting for final walkthroughs. Project files should include trigger notes, placement plans, and correction records. Indiana DHS and local inspectors should be cited in project compliance correspondence.
Are Indiana CO alarm duties enforced through permits and inspections?
Yes. In practice, Indiana code compliance for CO alarms is handled through local permitting, field inspection, correction, and reinspection workflow. That means operational control lives in project management quality, not only in legal interpretation. Builders and property teams should coordinate designers, electricians, and inspectors early so detector placement and device selection are verified before final approval. This approach reduces schedule delays and enforcement friction. Indiana permit files should include 675 IAC 14-4.4 references at each correction stage.
What penalties apply if Indiana CO alarm requirements are missed?
The cited Indiana CO sources emphasize permit and inspection enforcement rather than a single statewide CO-specific fine table. Even without one dedicated penalty line, unresolved deficiencies can delay occupancy, trigger reinspection cycles, and increase liability exposure after an incident. Owners should treat correction timelines as high priority and preserve dated proof of remediation. Local authorities can apply enforcement consequences through code administration channels. Indiana teams should log each notice to show timely corrective action.
In Indiana, what attached-garage checks can still trigger alarms in all-electric homes?
Not automatically. While source-based triggers are important, all-electric labeling alone may not resolve every code question in mixed-use or multifamily contexts. Attached garages, adjacent fuel-burning systems, and specific permit conditions can still affect compliance analysis. Indiana operators should verify actual building conditions and local interpretation before classifying any unit as outside CO alarm duties. Documenting that decision in the property file is a practical risk-control step. Indiana officials may request rationale during plan review or field inspection follow-up.
How should Indiana landlords manage CO compliance when statewide duty split is limited?
Where statewide statute language does not provide one complete landlord-tenant CO allocation, Indiana landlords should rely on code compliance records, lease language, and maintenance procedures aligned with local enforcement expectations. A strong operational model includes move-in verification, repair-ticket tracking, and written notice workflows for residents. This creates evidence for inspections and disputes while improving life-safety reliability. Property managers should coordinate legal and facilities teams on one documented protocol. Indiana lease addenda should reference local code enforcement pathways and response timelines.
How do Indiana code pathways compare with Ohio requirements?
Indiana relies heavily on adopted code workflow in 675 IAC 14-4.4, while Ohio operators often work under a different statute-and-code mix depending on occupancy and jurisdiction. Regional teams should maintain separate state checklists and avoid treating Midwest markets as one uniform framework. Before harmonizing procedures across neighboring states, review Ohio CO detector laws and compare triggers, enforcement channels, and documentation standards. Indiana and Ohio files should not share one default remediation timeline without local validation.
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