What New Mexico Requires for CO Detectors Under IRC Code
Last verified: February 17, 2026
New Mexico carbon monoxide detector laws for residential construction are centered on Construction Industries Division adoption of the 2021 International Residential Code through 14.7.3 NMAC, also called the 2021 New Mexico Residential Building Code. That statewide code framework applies to detached one-family dwellings, two-family dwellings, and townhouses within CID jurisdiction.
In practical enforcement, local plan-review materials reference IRC Section R315 for trigger conditions and placement in covered residential projects. This means obligations are most explicit for homes in new construction and permit-triggered work rather than as one broad statewide landlord and hotel statute.
New Mexico operators should document adopted-code scope, trigger analysis, installation locations, and inspection outcomes in each property file before occupancy turnover. Logging permit-date code transitions also helps prevent scope disputes during enforcement review.
Quick Safety Summary
| Applies to homes? | Yes |
|---|---|
| Applies to rentals? | Not confirmed — check local codes |
| 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
- 14.7.3 NMAC adopts the 2021 IRC framework for covered residential construction under CID jurisdiction.
- Permit transition language in 14.7.3 NMAC sets when projects must follow the adopted code edition.
Where to Install CO Alarms
- Local plan-review guidance tied to NMRBC Section R315 places alarms outside each sleeping area.
- Local guidance also allows ceiling or wall mounting in accordance with code and manufacturer instructions.
For detailed placement guidance beyond legal requirements, see where to place carbon monoxide detectors.
Device Requirements
- Combination smoke and carbon monoxide units are referenced with UL 2034 and UL 217 listing expectations in local plan-review guidance.
- Interconnection and power pathways follow the adopted residential code section references used by local authorities.
Landlord and Tenant Responsibilities
- The cited statewide sources do not provide one complete landlord-tenant duty split for all New Mexico rental categories.
Enforcement
Enforced by: New Mexico Construction Industries Division for covered residential work, with local authorities enforcing adopted requirements in their jurisdictions.
Enforcement typically occurs:
- During permitting and inspection workflow for projects governed by 14.7.3 NMAC.
- During local plan review and final inspection where NMRBC Section R315 requirements are applied.
Additional Notes
- No standalone statewide CO alarm statute identified as of 2026. Requirements derive from 14.7.3 NMAC adopted under NMSA 60-13-9 authority.
- New Mexico residential compliance should cite 14.7.3 NMAC plus local implementation guidance where available.
- Rentals remain unconfirmed and hotels are treated as not covered here because one broad statewide duty matrix for those occupancies was not confirmed in the cited sources.
Official Sources & References
- New Mexico Statutes Annotated Section 60-13-9 (Construction Industries Division Duties) — NMSA 60-13-9(F) directing CID to adopt building codes (state code, accessed 2026-02-18)
No standalone statewide CO alarm statute identified as of 2026. NMSA 60-13-9(F) directs the Construction Industries Division to adopt building codes. CO alarm requirements enter New Mexico law through 14.7.3 NMAC (adopting the 2021 IRC with Section R315) under this statutory authority. - New Mexico Administrative Code 14.7.3 PDF — 14.7.3.2 scope, 14.7.3.5 effective date, 14.7.3.8 adoption of 2021 IRC (building code, accessed 2026-02-17)
Core statewide residential-code adoption source under CID jurisdiction. - New Mexico Administrative Code 14.7.3 HTML — 14.7.3 NMAC (building code, accessed 2026-02-17)
Full administrative code entry confirming adoption framework and amendments context. - City of Albuquerque Building Safety ADU checklist — References to NMRBC Section R315 location interconnect and power notes (agency guidance, accessed 2026-02-17)
Local plan-review guidance that operationalizes New Mexico residential alarm placement and device expectations. - New Mexico CID rules laws and building codes page — CID code administration resources (agency guidance, accessed 2026-02-17)
State agency reference for current residential-code administration workflow.
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 New Mexico require carbon monoxide alarms in homes under statewide code?
Yes for covered residential construction pathways. New Mexico Administrative Code 14.7.3 adopts the 2021 IRC framework for one-family, two-family, and townhouse projects under CID jurisdiction, and local implementation materials reference Section R315 for carbon monoxide alarm obligations. The practical approach is to confirm that the project falls within the adopted-code scope, then map trigger and placement requirements before inspection. New Mexico files should include 14.7.3 citation details and local review notes so compliance decisions are traceable during enforcement or dispute review.
When do New Mexico permit projects trigger alarm upgrades?
Trigger timing is tied to the adopted-code workflow in 14.7.3 NMAC and the permit transition rules used by CID and local authorities. In practice, new construction and covered permit-triggered residential work are the primary scenarios where Section R315 expectations are enforced. Teams should avoid assuming that every existing dwelling is retroactively covered without a code trigger. New Mexico compliance packets should document permit type, governing code edition, and the inspection checkpoint where alarm requirements were verified.
Where should alarms be installed in New Mexico Section R315 workflows?
Local New Mexico plan-review guidance tied to NMRBC Section R315 places alarms outside sleeping areas and references code-based mounting pathways, including ceiling and wall options where allowed. Placement decisions should follow the adopted code text and manufacturer instructions for the specific device model. The safest control is a room-by-room plan linked to inspection records and as-built photos. New Mexico owners and contractors should keep those records with permit files to support final approval and later turnover verification.
Are New Mexico landlords and tenants given one statewide CO duty split?
The statewide sources cited here do not establish one complete landlord-tenant carbon monoxide duty matrix that applies across every rental category. New Mexico rental obligations can depend on the occupancy type and locally enforced code pathways, so property managers should verify local requirements before move-in or renewal milestones. Where local authorities apply Section R315 expectations, operators should document who installs, who tests, and how deficiencies are corrected. Written local guidance should be stored with each lease compliance file.
Do all-electric New Mexico homes automatically qualify as exempt?
Not automatically. Exemption decisions in New Mexico should be based on adopted-code trigger language and actual building context, not a single utility-label assumption. Projects with attached-garage pathways or other code-defined risk factors may still require alarm analysis. Owners should request local confirmation before classifying any unit as outside the requirement. New Mexico compliance records should include the exact code basis and local interpretation used for each exemption decision. Teams should keep that written confirmation in permit closeout and occupancy files.
For New Mexico programs, which policy branch differs most from Arizona implementation?
New Mexico residential obligations in this dataset are tied to CID adoption of 14.7.3 NMAC and local implementation of Section R315, while Arizona portfolios may follow a different balance of statewide and municipal code pathways. Regional teams should not reuse one Southwest checklist without state-specific trigger mapping. For side-by-side planning, review Arizona CO detector laws and compare permit triggers, placement workflow, and documentation controls. New Mexico operators should document those differences before SOP rollout.
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