Does Nevada Require CO Detectors? Local Codes and Scope
Last verified: February 18, 2026
Nevada carbon monoxide detector laws are primarily jurisdiction-driven because no single statewide NRS provision was confirmed here that mandates alarms for every residential occupancy category. Practical requirements are commonly enforced through local adoption of IRC Section R315 language, including city and county trigger conditions tied to fuel-fired appliances, attached garages, new construction, and some permit-related work in existing dwellings.
Boulder City publishes a clear IRC-based alarm handout, and Clark County lists adoption of the 2024 IRC effective January 11, 2026, which reinforces local-code variability inside one state. Because Nevada implementation is local first, owners should confirm the governing code edition and inspection workflow with the local authority having jurisdiction before occupancy turnover or renovation closeout.
Strong Nevada files include local citations, installation records, and reinspection evidence.
In 60 Seconds
| Applies to homes? | No |
|---|---|
| Applies to rentals? | No |
| Applies to hotels/STRs? | No |
When Are CO Alarms Required?
- Buildings with fuel-burning appliances
- Buildings with attached garages
- New construction
- When building permits are required
- Trigger conditions are based on local IRC adoption, not a single statewide Nevada IRC adoption.
Where to Install CO Alarms
- Local IRC Section R315 text places alarms outside each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of bedrooms.
- Where a fuel-burning appliance is inside a bedroom or attached bathroom, local IRC Section R315 language requires an alarm in the bedroom.
For detailed placement guidance beyond legal requirements, see where to place carbon monoxide detectors.
Device Requirements
- UL 2034 listed carbon monoxide alarms under local IRC-based pathways.
- Combination smoke and carbon monoxide units typically require UL 2034 plus UL 217 listing where adopted.
- Hardwired power with battery backup is common in new work, with limited battery-only exceptions under local code text.
Landlord and Tenant Responsibilities
- The cited Nevada sources do not establish one statewide landlord-tenant duty matrix for every property class.
Enforcement
Enforced by: Local authority having jurisdiction that enforces adopted building and fire code in each Nevada city or county.
Enforcement typically occurs:
- During permitting and inspection for new construction and covered alteration work.
- During local enforcement response when required alarms are missing, non-operational, or improperly located.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
No single statewide Nevada carbon monoxide detector fine schedule was confirmed in the cited sources.
Enforcement and penalty pathways are generally local and tied to adopted municipal or county code.
Additional Notes
- No standalone statewide CO alarm statute identified as of 2026. NRS 477.030 provides general fire marshal authority but does not mandate CO alarms directly.
- Nevada compliance should be mapped city by city or county by county because code editions and adoption dates can differ.
- Teams should capture local code edition, permit context, and final inspection outcome for each property.
Official Sources & References
- Nevada Revised Statutes Section 477.030 (State Fire Marshal Powers and Duties) — NRS 477.030 granting State Fire Marshal fire prevention authority (state code, accessed 2026-02-18)
No standalone statewide CO alarm statute identified as of 2026. NRS 477.030 grants the State Fire Marshal authority over fire prevention code adoption and enforcement. Nevada does not adopt the IRC statewide; CO alarm requirements enter through local jurisdiction adoption of IRC Section R315. This statute provides the general state-level fire safety framework. - City of Boulder City Nevada smoke and carbon monoxide alarms handout — IRC Section R315 excerpts for listing, trigger, location, power, and alternatives (local ordinance, accessed 2026-02-17)
Official local publication with clear IRC-based residential alarm requirements. - Clark County Building and Fire Prevention codes page — 2024 IRC adoption listing effective January 11, 2026 (local ordinance, accessed 2026-02-17)
County-level confirmation that IRC adoption can differ by jurisdiction in Nevada. - Nevada State Fire Marshal fire prevention and engineering code adoption page — State adoption list for IFC IBC IEBC and UMC (agency guidance, accessed 2026-02-17)
Supports that Nevada does not adopt the IRC as one statewide baseline. - City of Las Vegas building inspection overview — Smoke and carbon monoxide detector inspection checklist references (agency guidance, accessed 2026-02-17)
Municipal inspection guidance illustrating local enforcement practice.
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
Does Nevada have one statewide residential CO alarm mandate?
The sources cited here do not confirm one universal Nevada statute that requires carbon monoxide alarms in every home and rental statewide. Instead, practical duties are commonly created through local adoption of IRC Section R315 language. That means scope and trigger details can vary between jurisdictions such as Boulder City and Clark County. Nevada owners should verify the local code edition and enforcement process before deciding whether a specific property is covered or exempt. Local written confirmation is the safest compliance anchor.
Which trigger conditions are most common in Nevada local codes?
In Nevada local IRC-based frameworks, the most common triggers include fuel-burning appliances, attached garages, qualifying new construction, and some permit-related work in existing dwellings. Boulder City publications and Clark County code adoption materials show how those triggers are operationalized by local authorities. Because Nevada is not one statewide IRC adoption state, owners should not assume that one city handout governs another county. Property files should include the exact local source and effective date used for decisions.
Where should alarms be installed under Nevada IRC Section R315 pathways?
Local Nevada IRC Section R315 language generally requires alarms outside each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of bedrooms. Where a fuel-burning appliance is in a bedroom or attached bathroom, an alarm is usually required in that bedroom as well. Placement should be verified against the jurisdiction's adopted code edition and manufacturer instructions. Nevada teams should keep plan markups, installed-device photos, and final inspection notes to support compliance if enforcement questions arise.
How should Nevada landlords handle rentals when duties are local?
Landlords should treat Nevada rental compliance as a local-code workflow and confirm applicable rules with the city or county authority having jurisdiction before turnover. A strong process includes trigger analysis, documented installation locations, testing records, and prompt correction of deficiencies. Even without one statewide rental matrix, local enforcement can be firm when required alarms are missing. Nevada lease and maintenance files should preserve local citations so responsibility and remediation steps are clear.
For Nevada all-electric homes, which local adoption steps must be checked before exemption?
Not automatically. In Nevada, exemption decisions depend on the adopted local code text and property context, not only on utility type. Jurisdictions using IRC Section R315 style triggers may still require analysis where attached-garage pathways or adjacent combustion risks exist. Owners should obtain written local confirmation before recording an exemption decision. Maintaining that evidence is important for transfer, insurance, and post-incident review. Nevada policy files should include the exact local section used to support exemption logic.
How does Nevada compare with Arizona on CO alarm strategy?
Nevada in this dataset is highly local-adoption driven, while Arizona operators may work under a different blend of state and local legal pathways depending on occupancy and municipality. Southwest portfolios should keep separate compliance matrices and avoid one shared template. For neighboring-state comparison before finalizing procedures, review Arizona CO detector laws and compare trigger language, placement controls, and enforcement points. Nevada teams should keep local adoption dates and Arizona statute references separated in audit materials.
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