CO Detector Rules in North Carolina: Tenant and Owner Duties

Last verified: February 16, 2026

North Carolina carbon monoxide detector laws combine landlord-tenant statutes in Sections 42-42 to 42-44 with building-code pathways such as R315. Covered rental units and many residences must maintain operable alarms when risk triggers apply, including fuel-burning conditions and attached garages in relevant contexts. The statutes also define notice and cure timelines, which makes documentation critical for both owners and tenants.

Property managers should use standardized turnover checks, written defect reporting channels, and repair logs to stay compliant and defensible. Because local jurisdictions administer code enforcement practices, operators should verify local process details in addition to statewide statutory duties, keep dated correction records, preserve tenant-notice timelines for inspections, and archive written responses to repair requests.

Well-maintained notice logs and signed completion records also improve dispute resolution when landlords and tenants disagree about repair timing or battery duties.

In 60 Seconds

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

When Are CO Alarms Required?

Buildings with fuel-burning appliances
Buildings with attached garages
New construction
When building permits are required

Where to Install CO Alarms

Outside of each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedrooms. Where a fuel-burning appliance is located within a bedroom or its attached bathroom, a CO alarm shall be installed within the bedroom.
minimum of one operable carbon monoxide alarm per rental unit per level (statute).

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

Device Requirements

CO alarm: UL 2034
Combination CO/smoke alarm: UL 2034 and UL 217
CO detector for detection system: UL 2075
Combination detector for detection system: UL 2075 and UL 268
Detection system alternative: NFPA 720 (when using a household carbon monoxide detection system in lieu of alarms)
Power: Building wiring where served from a commercial source; battery backup when primary power is interrupted. Wiring must be permanent and without a disconnecting switch other than overcurrent protection.
Exception: Battery-only permitted where installed in buildings without commercial power.
Exception: For alterations/repairs/additions (R315.2.2), battery-powered alarms are permitted.

Landlord and Tenant Responsibilities

Landlord: Must provide and install CO alarms. Must ensure alarms are operable at start of tenancy. Repair/replace within 15 days after written notice (statute).. Statute addresses rental units; building-code obligations for owner-occupied homes do not assign landlord/tenant duties.

Tenant: Replace batteries during tenancy. Notify landlord in writing if issue. May not render alarm inoperable. Battery duties apply unless a written agreement provides otherwise; failure to replace batteries is not considered negligence by tenant or landlord (statute).

Enforcement

Enforcement typically occurs:

Triggered at permit/inspection points; local jurisdiction decides inspection/enforcement handling.
After written notice from tenant or agent of State/local government and the applicable cure period.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

Landlord failure after notice: infraction, max fine $250. Failure to provide/install/replace/repair within 30 days after written notice (statute). Tenant failure to reimburse: infraction, max fine $100. Failure to reimburse for disabling/damaging alarm (not landlord/acts of God) within 30 days after notice (statute).

Additional Notes

Hotels/short-term rentals: no statewide, on-point NC statutory requirement was confirmed in the sources above; may be addressed by commercial building/fire codes or local ordinances.
Sale/transfer trigger: not specified in the cited NC Residential Code R315 or cited landlord/tenant statutes.
Enforcement authority and process: OSFM bulletin notes jurisdictions decide how to handle enforcement; statutes provide infractions/fines tied to notice/cure periods.
Device listing details may vary by local enforcement interpretation; verify with local code officials.

Official Sources & References

NC Department of Insurance / Office of the State Fire Marshal — Carbon Monoxide Alarms (2018 NC Residential Code, Section R315) — R315.1–R315.6; Q&A enforcement/trigger guidance (building code, accessed 2026-02-16)
Official state fire marshal engineering bulletin/interpretation for NCRC R315.
N.C. Gen. Stat. § 42-43 — Tenant to maintain dwelling unit — (a)(4), (a)(7) (CO alarm operability at start of tenancy; battery allocation; written notice duty) (state code, accessed 2026-02-16)
Official NC General Assembly statutes site (ncleg.net).
N.C. Gen. Stat. § 42-44 — General remedies, penalties, and limitations — (a1) (landlord infraction/fine up to $250 after 30 days notice); (a2) (tenant reimbursement and $100 fine) (state code, accessed 2026-02-16)
Official NC General Assembly statutes site (ncleg.net).
N.C. Gen. Stat. § 42-42 — Landlord to provide fit premises (CO alarms) — (a)(7) (minimum CO alarm per rental unit per level; repair/replace timeline, etc.) (state code, accessed 2026-02-16)
Direct fetch may be blocked (403) in some environments; excerpt confirmation available via web search results.
Gaston County (NC) — Landlord / Tenant Requirements Related to Smoke Alarms & Carbon Monoxide Alarms (document) — CO alarm requirements summary (references N.C.G.S. § 42-42 to § 42-44) (agency guidance, accessed 2026-02-16)
Local government guidance summarizing state landlord/tenant alarm requirements.

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 do North Carolina rental units need carbon monoxide alarms?

North Carolina landlord-tenant statutes in Sections 42-42 to 42-44 require operable alarms in covered rental settings and define owner obligations for installation and timely repair after proper notice. Code pathways such as R315 also influence placement in qualifying structures. This means compliance is not a one-time installation event; it includes turnover checks, battery management, and documented response to written tenant notices. Owners should maintain inspection logs and service records because statutory penalties can follow delayed correction even when an alarm was originally installed.

What are tenant obligations under North Carolina alarm statutes?

North Carolina tenants are expected to support operability by handling routine battery duties where applicable, avoiding intentional disablement, and providing written notice when alarms fail. These expectations appear in the same statutory framework that governs owner duties, including Section 42-43, so responsibility is shared but not interchangeable. If notice is missing or delayed, enforcement outcomes can become more complex after incidents. Property managers should provide clear move-in instructions and keep proof of delivery for alarm guidance. A documented communication trail is often as important as the device itself during legal review in North Carolina.

Under North Carolina law, which bedroom-area placement records should managers retain?

Placement commonly follows sleeping-area proximity rules, with additional requirements when fuel-burning appliances are present in or near bedrooms. North Carolina code pathways also allow alternative compliance options in specific construction contexts, such as battery-powered devices where permitted by code exceptions. Owners should apply both statutory and code references when reviewing placement, especially in renovated units. A passing inspection usually depends on location, listing standard, and operability together. Teams should confirm room-by-room placement before lease execution or occupancy approval.

How can North Carolina noncompliance escalate after unresolved alarm notices?

North Carolina Sections 42-42 through 42-44 include infraction-level exposure when required installation, replacement, or repair obligations are not met after the statutory notice timeline. Penalties can affect both landlords and tenants depending on which duty was breached. Financial amounts are only part of the risk; unresolved alarm issues can also create habitability disputes and liability exposure after incidents. Owners should treat every written defect notice as a compliance deadline and document corrective action dates to reduce enforcement and litigation risk under North Carolina law.

How do North Carolina rules compare with South Carolina requirements?

North Carolina uses a more explicit landlord-tenant statutory framework tied to Sections 42-42 to 42-44, while South Carolina compliance is often interpreted through different code and local-enforcement pathways. Regional operators should avoid assuming both Carolinas can share one alarm policy template. Build separate playbooks for notice timing, placement verification, and documentation standards. For nearby-state context when planning portfolio policy, review South Carolina CO detector laws alongside North Carolina requirements.

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