Nicole's Law Explained: Massachusetts CO Detector Requirements

Last verified: February 16, 2026

Massachusetts carbon monoxide detector laws are anchored in M.G.L. chapter 148 section 26F 1/2, commonly associated with Nicole's Law, and apply broadly to covered residential occupancies with fuel-related or enclosed-parking risk conditions. The framework includes owner and landlord operational duties, pre-transfer inspection workflow through local fire departments, and device standards tied to approved alarm pathways.

Massachusetts also has explicit anti-tampering language in section 27A, which can carry meaningful penalties when devices are intentionally disabled or removed. Because compliance combines statutory requirements with fire-code implementation details, owners should keep section-linked records for installation, testing, and correction before occupancy or transfer milestones.

For portfolio operators, the safest strategy is jurisdiction-specific execution with statewide statute citations in every compliance file. Keeping fire-department inspection records attached to transfer and lease files strengthens defensibility.

Key Takeaways

CO detector requirements for Massachusetts
Applies to homes?	Yes
Applies to rentals?	Yes
Applies to hotels/STRs?	Yes

When Are CO Alarms Required?

Buildings with fuel-burning appliances
Buildings with attached garages
Home sales or property transfers
Residential occupancy pathways in section 26F 1/2 include covered conditions tied to combustion and enclosed parking risk.

Where to Install CO Alarms

Placement requirements are governed through Massachusetts statute and implementing fire-code pathways, including sleeping-area proximity and level-based coverage in covered scenarios.

For detailed placement guidance beyond legal requirements, see where to place carbon monoxide detectors.

Device Requirements

Approved and operational carbon monoxide alarms in conformance with Massachusetts statutory and fire-code requirements.
Combination smoke and CO devices are permitted when listing standards are satisfied.

Landlord and Tenant Responsibilities

Landlord: Landlords must provide and maintain required alarms for covered rental occupancy at tenancy start and ongoing operation.

Tenant: Occupants may not tamper with required alarm devices and should report deficiencies.

Local fire department procedures drive practical inspection and sign-off timing in transfer and occupancy workflows.

Enforcement

Enforced by: Local fire departments enforce inspection and compliance workflow under Massachusetts statutory framework.

Enforcement typically occurs:

At sale or transfer inspection checkpoints where compliance documentation is required.
During enforcement response to missing, disabled, or noncompliant devices.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

M.G.L. chapter 148 section 27A prohibits disabling or removing required detection devices and provides penalty exposure that can include fines and imprisonment.

M.G.L. c.148 section 27A.

Additional Notes

Massachusetts compliance execution should combine statute sections with local fire department process.
Operators should confirm municipality-specific inspection scheduling before transfer deadlines.

Official Sources & References

Massachusetts General Laws chapter 148 section 26F 1/2 — 26F 1/2 (state code, accessed 2026-02-16)
Primary statutory framework for Massachusetts carbon monoxide alarm requirements and transfer compliance.
Massachusetts General Laws chapter 148 section 27A — 27A (state code, accessed 2026-02-16)
Anti-tampering and penalty language relevant to required detection devices.
Massachusetts General Laws chapter 148 section 26F 1/2 (inspection and transfer context) — Sale and transfer compliance portions (state code, accessed 2026-02-16)
Supports transaction-stage compliance and inspection workflow details.
Massachusetts law about carbon monoxide detectors (official state guidance) — Statute and fire-code reference summary (agency guidance, accessed 2026-02-17)
Official guidance index that consolidates statute and implementation references.

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

For Massachusetts audits, which statutory reference should anchor CO alarm authority?

The core statutory source is M.G.L. chapter 148 section 26F 1/2, commonly known in practice as Nicole's Law compliance language for covered occupancies. This section provides the legal backbone for alarm duties, while local fire departments implement inspection workflow at key transaction and occupancy points. Operators should keep section-level citations in every compliance checklist and handoff packet. Massachusetts teams that rely only on summaries often miss important implementation details. In Massachusetts, cite M.G.L. chapter 148 sections 26F 1/2 and 27A in compliance documentation.

Are Massachusetts rentals and owner-occupied homes both covered?

Yes, Massachusetts rules in chapter 148 are designed to reach covered residential settings in both owner and rental contexts when statutory trigger conditions apply. This means landlords, sellers, and owner-occupants can each face compliance obligations depending on occupancy and transaction status. Property managers should align move-in, turnover, and maintenance workflow with statute references and local fire department expectations. Massachusetts files should document why each unit falls within the covered category. In Massachusetts, cite M.G.L. chapter 148 sections 26F 1/2 and 27A in compliance documentation.

What happens at sale or transfer in Massachusetts?

Massachusetts transfer workflow includes fire-department inspection and compliance verification requirements under the chapter 148 framework. Sellers and agents should not treat detector status as a last-minute checklist item, because failed compliance can delay closing activity and increase legal exposure. The practical control is early verification, correction before inspection, and preserved documentation for transaction records. Massachusetts teams should schedule compliance checks before final contract milestones. In Massachusetts, cite M.G.L. chapter 148 sections 26F 1/2 and 27A in compliance documentation.

What penalties apply for disabling required alarms in Massachusetts?

M.G.L. chapter 148 section 27A prohibits disabling, removing, or obstructing required detection devices and provides penalty exposure that can include fines and imprisonment. Enforcement risk is highest when tampering is documented and left uncorrected. Owners and occupants should treat tampering as a serious legal issue, not only a maintenance defect. Massachusetts compliance notices should cite section 27A and include immediate remediation instructions. In Massachusetts, cite M.G.L. chapter 148 sections 26F 1/2 and 27A in compliance documentation.

In Massachusetts rentals, which recurring audit controls should landlords run yearly?

Landlords should run a repeatable process for installation verification, testing cadence, tenant communication, and documented corrective action whenever alarms fail or are missing. Because Massachusetts combines statute duties with local inspection practice, one generic policy is rarely enough across all municipalities. Property teams should keep signed records for move-in condition and service-ticket completion. This documentation is essential during disputes and transfer activity. In Massachusetts, cite M.G.L. chapter 148 sections 26F 1/2 and 27A in compliance documentation.

How do Massachusetts requirements compare with Rhode Island workflows?

Massachusetts relies on chapter 148 statutory structure with local fire-department execution, while Rhode Island operators can face a different blend of statute and code pathways depending on occupancy and jurisdiction. Regional teams should maintain separate Northeast checklists rather than one shared template. For nearby-state benchmarking before finalizing procedures, review Rhode Island CO detector laws and map differences in transfer and enforcement workflow. In Massachusetts, cite M.G.L. chapter 148 sections 26F 1/2 and 27A in compliance documentation.

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