Understanding the Overbeck Law: CO Detectors in Michigan

Last verified: February 16, 2026

Michigan carbon monoxide detector laws are anchored in MCL 125.1504f, often called the Overbeck Law, and are strongly tied to construction, renovation, and bedroom-addition triggers. The statute sets placement expectations near bedrooms, attached garages, and fuel-burning equipment, and it references listing standards for compliant devices.

Michigan sources also reference related provisions such as MCL 125.1504d for certain residential occupancy contexts. Because enforcement is linked to code administration and permit workflows, owners should align alarm planning with project scoping, inspection milestones, and documented maintenance procedures.

A permit-aware workflow is the most reliable way to maintain Michigan compliance across rentals, owner-occupied properties, mixed-use portfolios, and renovation projects that change sleeping-room layouts. Owners who combine permit intake controls, installer signoff forms, and documented post-occupancy testing generally reduce citation risk and improve legal defensibility.

Key Takeaways

CO detector requirements for Michigan
Applies to homes?	Yes
Applies to rentals?	Yes
Applies to hotels/STRs?	Not confirmed — check local codes

When Are CO Alarms Required?

New construction
When building permits are required
Applies at initial construction of a single-family or multifamily dwelling, at renovation of an existing single-family dwelling when a permit is required, or upon the addition/creation of a bedroom (MCL 125.1504f(1)).

Where to Install CO Alarms

In the vicinity of the bedrooms (including one device capable of detecting CO near all adjacent bedrooms).
In areas within the dwelling adjacent to an attached garage.
In areas adjacent to any fuel-burning appliances.

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

Device Requirements

Approved device must be listed as complying with ANSI/UL 2034 or ANSI/UL 2075 and installed per the manufacturer's instructions.
Permitted power/configurations include battery-powered, plug-in with or without battery backup, hardwired to AC with secondary battery backup, or connected to a system via a control panel.
Penalty enforcement is deferred until the effective date of a code adopted after the amendatory act that incorporates the requirement (see MCL 125.1504f(3)).

Landlord and Tenant Responsibilities

Landlord: For multifamily rentals, ensure dwelling units comply with code requirements enforced during construction/permitted work; maintain/replace devices as needed per manufacturer instructions and local enforcement requirements.

Tenant: Test/maintain devices per manufacturer instructions and report issues to the owner/property manager.

Licensed installers who comply with the section and manufacturer instructions receive liability protection (MCL 125.1504f(4)).

Enforcement

Enforced by: Local enforcing agency responsible for construction code enforcement (building department).

Enforcement typically occurs:

During inspections for initial construction.
During inspections for renovations requiring permits, or when bedrooms are added/created.

The statute states an enforcing agency shall not impose a penalty for failure to comply until the effective date of the relevant adopted code (MCL 125.1504f(3)).

Penalties for Non-Compliance

Penalty for failure to comply with the installation requirement is not imposed by enforcing agencies until the effective date of a subsequently adopted code that incorporates the requirement (MCL 125.1504f(3)).

MCL 125.1504f(3).

Additional Notes

MCL 125.1504f is the primary statewide trigger source for covered dwelling construction and renovation scenarios.
Related occupancy-specific context can be cross-checked in MCL 125.1504d and local code enforcement guidance.

Official Sources & References

Michigan Compiled Laws — MCL 125.1504f (Overbeck law) — Carbon monoxide device requirements for dwellings — Sec. 4f (state code, accessed 2026-02-16)
Primary statute text (PDF) detailing triggers, placement, allowed device types, definitions, and deferred penalty enforcement.
NCSL — Carbon Monoxide Detector Installation Statutes (Michigan row) — Michigan (secondary index, accessed 2026-02-16)
Index referencing additional Michigan provisions (including MCL 125.1504d for certain residential occupancies).
Michigan Compiled Laws - MCL 125.1504d (carbon monoxide devices in certain residential occupancies) — Sec. 4d (state code, accessed 2026-02-17)
Additional statewide provision referenced for certain residential occupancy contexts.
Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs - Bureau of Construction Codes — Construction code enforcement resources (agency guidance, accessed 2026-02-17)
State agency portal used by local code officials for construction code administration.

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

When does MCL 125.1504f trigger CO detector installation in Michigan?

MCL 125.1504f applies when a covered dwelling is newly constructed, renovated under a permit, or modified by adding a bedroom. The statute is project-triggered, so legal duties are tied to construction scope rather than a blanket occupancy statement. Placement must address sleeping areas, attached-garage adjacency, and fuel-burning equipment contexts. Because Michigan enforcement is routed through code and permit administration, owners should integrate detector requirements into early design and plan review rather than waiting for final inspection comments.

Where should Michigan CO devices be located in covered homes?

Michigan statutory language points to placement near bedrooms, attached garages, and fuel-burning appliance zones. This combination is meant to capture likely migration pathways for carbon monoxide rather than one single hallway position. Device type must follow recognized listing standards, and installation should match manufacturer instructions. For multifamily projects, teams should verify room-by-room placement before occupancy to avoid correction cycles after inspection. Documented commissioning checks are especially useful when units have mixed equipment types or complex floor plans.

Are Michigan penalties immediate for every Section 4f violation?

Section 4f includes timing language that links some enforcement consequences to the effective date of adopted code provisions, so penalty handling is tied to enforcement context rather than an instant one-size outcome. Owners should not interpret this as permission to defer compliance. Inspection failures, delayed occupancy, and liability exposure can still follow missing or noncompliant devices even before formal penalty pathways are applied. The practical rule is to treat permit-triggered installations as mandatory construction deliverables with full documentation.

How should Michigan landlords manage CO detector compliance in rentals?

Landlords should treat carbon monoxide devices as part of construction-code and turnover quality control. In properties affected by Section 4f or related code pathways, managers should confirm placement, operability, and listing compliance before move-in and after major repairs. Tenant communication should cover testing expectations and prompt defect reporting, while maintenance teams should log service actions with date and unit detail. That recordkeeping approach helps owners respond to inspectors, insurers, and legal claims with defensible compliance evidence.

How does Michigan permit-trigger model compare with Ohio fire-code rules?

Michigan often focuses on permit and project triggers through statutes such as MCL 125.1504f, while Ohio applies a broader occupancy-based fire-code structure in Sections 915 and 1103.9. The result is different compliance timing: Michigan teams must map project scope early, while Ohio teams must map occupancy and ongoing operational triggers. Regional operators should maintain separate workflows for inspections, citation response, and documentation. For the occupancy-driven model, review Ohio CO detector laws when building cross-state policy controls.

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