Amanda's Law Explained: New York CO Detector Requirements

Last verified: February 16, 2026

New York carbon monoxide detector laws combine Amanda Law language in Executive Law Section 378(5-a) with Uniform Code enforcement pathways. Homes, rentals, and many lodging occupancies must install listed devices when fuel-burning equipment or attached garages create carbon monoxide risk.

State guidance addresses UL listing, testing, and maintenance expectations, while local code offices enforce compliance through inspections and orders to remedy. Because Executive Law Section 382 allows escalating penalties for unresolved violations, owners and operators should keep installation records, maintenance logs, documented response timelines, and jurisdiction-specific inspection files.

Large multifamily operators should map local inspection cycles and keep proof of corrective closeout. This statewide baseline can be expanded by local jurisdictions, especially in large cities with additional housing oversight programs.

Key Takeaways

CO detector requirements for New York
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
New construction
CO detectors are required only where the dwelling unit has CO-emitting appliances/devices/systems or an attached garage.
Multiple dwelling definition includes hotels/lodging houses and other listed occupancies (Exec. Law §378(5-a)).

Where to Install CO Alarms

If only one CO alarm is installed, place it in the main bedroom or in the hallway outside of the sleeping area.
Install an alarm on every level of the home and in sleeping areas.
Place the alarm at least 15 feet away from fuel-burning appliances; avoid dead-air spaces and placing next to a window or door.

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

Device Requirements

CO alarms shall be listed and labeled as complying with UL 2034 or CAN/CSA 6.19 (Uniform Code reference in DOS/DHSES Code Outreach Issue 2025-01).
CO detectors used as part of a CO detection system shall be listed and labeled as complying with UL 2075 (Uniform Code reference in DOS/DHSES Code Outreach Issue 2025-01).
Maintain devices in good working order and test periodically per NFPA 720 and manufacturer’s instructions (Uniform Code reference in DOS/DHSES Code Outreach Issue 2025-01).

Landlord and Tenant Responsibilities

Landlord: Ensure required CO detectors/alarms are installed where the dwelling has a potential CO source or an attached garage, and maintain required systems in good working order (Exec. Law §378(5-a); Uniform Code maintenance/testing referenced by DOS/DHSES Code Outreach Issue 2025-01).

Tenant: Test the CO alarm at least monthly and keep the unit unobstructed; promptly report suspected issues to the property owner/manager (DHSES/OFPC CO FAQ).

Uniform Code enforcement and specific responsibilities can vary by local jurisdiction (and NYC has its own building code enforcement framework).

Enforcement

Enforced by: Local governments and their authorized agents (code enforcement / fire officials) enforce the Uniform Code.

Enforcement typically occurs:

Through local code enforcement actions (orders to remedy and appearance tickets) when violations are found.
During Fire Safety and Property Maintenance (FSPM) inspections where required by 19 NYCRR Part 1203 (intervals vary by jurisdiction/occupancy).

Uniform Code enforcement is primarily local; inspection programs and intervals are established under 19 NYCRR Part 1203.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

Uniform Code violations and failures to comply with an order to remedy can be punished by fines up to $1,000 per day and/or imprisonment up to one year, with escalating minimum daily fines after 180 days (Executive Law §382).

Executive Law §382 (Remedies) — enforcement, appearance tickets, and penalties.

Additional Notes

This YAML captures statewide requirements and state-issued guidance. Local jurisdictions may adopt stricter requirements.
NYC and some other jurisdictions may have additional/local rules and enforcement processes.

Official Sources & References

New York Executive Law §378(5-a) — Standards for installation of carbon monoxide detectors — §378(5-a) (state code, accessed 2026-02-16)
Primary statute requiring CO detectors in specified dwellings; limits requirement to units with CO sources or attached garage; defines 'multiple dwelling'.
New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control — Carbon Monoxide: The Facts (CO FAQ) — Q6 (need/placement) + testing guidance (agency guidance, accessed 2026-02-16)
Placement and basic maintenance/testing guidance for homes.
NYS Department of State (BSC) & NYS DHSES/OFPC — Code Outreach Program Issue 2025-01: Fire Safety and Property Maintenance Inspections - Carbon Monoxide Alarm and Detection — Uniform Code references (2020 PMCNYS §705; 2020 FCNYS §915.1, §915.4, §915.6) (agency guidance, accessed 2026-02-16)
Official state guidance quoting Uniform Code requirements for listing, maintenance, testing, and inspection context.
New York Executive Law §382 — Remedies (Uniform Code enforcement and penalties) — §382(1)-(2) (state code, accessed 2026-02-16)
Provides local enforcement powers and penalties for Uniform Code violations.

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

What does Amanda Law require for New York dwellings?

Amanda's Law is codified in Executive Law Section 378(5-a) and requires carbon monoxide detection in covered New York dwelling units when CO-producing conditions are present. The law applies to many homes, rentals, and lodging occupancies, especially where fuel-burning appliances or attached garages create risk. It works alongside Uniform Code provisions that set device listing and maintenance expectations. For owners and managers, compliance means more than installation at move-in: routine testing, prompt repair, and documentation are key. Local jurisdictions can add stricter rules, but the statewide requirement is the legal baseline.

When can a New York home fall outside statewide CO alarm triggers?

The trigger logic is tied to carbon monoxide risk factors, not simply the building label. A home without fuel-burning appliances and without an attached garage may be outside typical statewide trigger language, but owners should verify local amendments before treating a unit as exempt. Multi-unit buildings may still create exposure when neighboring units have combustion equipment. New York code officials often evaluate actual building conditions, not just owner declarations. For that reason, many operators install alarms in borderline cases to reduce incident risk and avoid disputes during inspection or enforcement review.

Where should CO alarms be placed in New York residences?

Placement standards in New York generally focus on sleeping areas and proximity to potential carbon monoxide sources. State guidance and Uniform Code references commonly require alarms in or near bedroom corridors, with additional attention to spaces served by fuel-burning equipment. Devices should be listed to applicable standards, such as UL 2034 for alarms or UL 2075 for detection systems, depending on setup. Owners should follow both code text and manufacturer instructions because improper placement can fail inspection even when a device is present. Local code offices may publish more specific room-by-room placement expectations.

Who is responsible for CO alarm compliance in New York rentals and lodging?

Property owners and operators carry the primary legal duty to install and maintain required devices under Executive Law Section 378(5-a) and Uniform Code enforcement practice. Tenants are typically expected to avoid disabling alarms, test units periodically, and report defects quickly. In lodging occupancies, operators should also maintain service records that show testing and corrective action timelines. Responsibility can be shared in day-to-day maintenance, but legal exposure usually follows the party controlling code compliance. That is why lease documents, hotel operating procedures, and maintenance logs should mirror New York code requirements.

How does New York penalty exposure change between first and repeated CO alarm violations?

Executive Law Section 382 gives local enforcement agencies authority to pursue remedies when Uniform Code violations remain unresolved. Penalties can include daily fine exposure and other enforcement actions, which can escalate if an order to remedy is ignored. The financial risk often exceeds the cost of compliant installation and maintenance, especially for multi-unit operators. In addition to direct penalties, unresolved carbon monoxide issues can complicate inspections, insurance positions, and post-incident liability. Owners should treat notices from local code officials as urgent compliance events rather than routine paperwork.

How do New York requirements compare with Pennsylvania Act 121?

New York uses a stronger statewide framework through Amanda's Law and Uniform Code enforcement, while Pennsylvania Act 121 is narrower and focuses heavily on covered multifamily scenarios plus sale-transfer disclosure. Teams operating across both states should not reuse one checklist. New York workflows usually need broader occupancy mapping, while Pennsylvania compliance often starts with Act 121 scope analysis and local code overlays. For side-by-side review of the narrower model, see Pennsylvania CO detector laws before finalizing policy language.

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