Does Texas Require CO Detectors? Child Care and Local Codes

Last verified: February 16, 2026

Texas carbon monoxide detector laws do not create a blanket statewide requirement for all homes. The main statewide mandate is Human Resources Code Section 42.060, which requires detectors in licensed child-care operations.

For most homes, rentals, and hotels, obligations come from local adoption of building and fire codes such as IRC R315 or IFC provisions. Owners should verify the code edition in the specific city or county, document inspection outcomes, and treat CO alarms as a baseline safety control even where not explicitly mandated.

This approach reduces liability exposure and keeps portfolios aligned with changing local code adoption.

Key Takeaways

CO detector requirements for Texas
Applies to homes?	No
Applies to rentals?	No
Applies to hotels/STRs?	No

When Are CO Alarms Required?

Child-care facilities/operations regulated under Texas Human Resources Code Chapter 42 must have carbon monoxide detectors (see §42.060).
Local jurisdictions that adopt the IRC/IFC (often including IRC R315) may require CO alarms in dwellings—verify the local code for the property location.

Where to Install CO Alarms

For regulated child-care operations: placement/coverage per HHSC/DFPS child-care licensing standards and manufacturer's instructions.
For residences: placement (if required) is determined by locally adopted building/fire codes and manufacturer's instructions.

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

Device Requirements

Carbon monoxide detector(s) required for certain child-care operations under Texas Human Resources Code §42.060; technical specifications are implemented via licensing standards.

Landlord and Tenant Responsibilities

Landlord: No statewide residential CO-alarm installation mandate identified; comply with any applicable local code/ordinance and lease requirements.

Tenant: Follow manufacturer instructions (test/maintain) and promptly report deficiencies to the landlord/property manager.

Texas requirements shown here are statewide; local requirements can be stricter and may be the controlling rule in practice.

Enforcement

Enforced by: HHSC/DFPS Child Care Regulation (for Human Resources Code §42.060); local building/fire officials for locally adopted codes.

Enforcement typically occurs:

During child-care licensing inspections (for covered operations).
During local plan review / permitting / inspections where local building codes are enforced.

Residential CO-alarm rules can vary materially by city/county because Texas does not have a single statewide residential building code adoption.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

Compliance for covered child-care operations is enforced through child-care licensing; penalties depend on the licensing enforcement action and applicable rules. Local code violations (where CO alarms are required by local code) are handled by the local authority.

Texas Human Resources Code §42.060 establishes the detector requirement for covered child-care operations; enforcement occurs through licensing and local authorities.

Additional Notes

If you want Texas residential rules at the property level, the correct approach is to cite the local adopted IRC/IFC (or local ordinance) for the specific city/county.

Official Sources & References

Texas Human Resources Code § 42.060 — Carbon Monoxide Detectors — §42.060 (state code, accessed 2026-02-16)
State statute requiring carbon monoxide detectors for certain child-care operations regulated under Chapter 42.
NCSL — Carbon Monoxide Detector Installation Statutes (Texas row) — Texas (secondary index, accessed 2026-02-16)
Reputable cross-state index indicating Texas statewide statute coverage is limited (e.g., child-care) rather than a broad residential mandate.
Texas Human Resources Code Chapter 42 - Child-Care Regulation — Chapter 42 (state code, accessed 2026-02-17)
Parent chapter for Section 42.060 and child-care licensing enforcement structure.

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 Texas have a statewide CO alarm mandate for private homes?

Not as a blanket rule. Texas carbon monoxide detector laws at the state level are narrow and center on Human Resources Code Section 42.060, which covers licensed child-care operations. For ordinary single-family homes, apartments, and many lodging properties, legal duties are usually created by local building or fire code adoption rather than one statewide residential statute. That means the right compliance answer depends on city or county code edition, permit history, and occupancy type. Even where a direct mandate is unclear, many owners install alarms as a low-cost risk control.

What does Texas Human Resources Code Section 42.060 require?

Section 42.060 is the clearest statewide legal anchor in Texas. It requires carbon monoxide detectors in licensed child-care facilities and operations regulated under Chapter 42. Enforcement is tied to the child-care licensing system, so noncompliance can affect inspection outcomes and licensing status, not just local building citations. This is why child-care operators in Texas should treat detector placement, testing logs, and replacement records as core compliance documents. For residential portfolios outside licensed child care, managers still need to check local IRC or IFC adoption before concluding no obligation exists.

How should Texas landlords handle CO alarms in rentals?

Because Texas has no broad statewide rental alarm statute for all units, landlords should start with local code verification. Many jurisdictions adopt IRC language that requires alarms near sleeping areas when fuel-burning appliances or attached garages are present. Lease terms should align with those local requirements, including notice, battery replacement expectations, and access for repair. Even in jurisdictions without explicit CO text, documenting detector installation can reduce liability in injury claims and habitability disputes. The practical standard is to treat carbon monoxide alarm requirements Texas as a local-compliance workflow, not a one-size statewide rule.

Are all-electric homes automatically exempt in Texas?

There is no single statewide exemption framework in Texas because there is no single statewide residential mandate. In a jurisdiction that follows IRC-style triggers, an all-electric home without an attached garage may fall outside mandatory placement language. In other jurisdictions, local amendments can still require alarms in broader scenarios. Owners should avoid assumptions and verify code text with the local building department or fire marshal. From a safety perspective, alarms are still recommended because carbon monoxide can migrate from adjacent spaces, attached structures, or shared mechanical systems in multi-unit buildings.

Which local codes usually trigger Texas CO alarm requirements?

The most common legal pathway is local adoption of model codes such as the International Residential Code and International Fire Code. Texas municipalities may adopt different editions and amendments, so placement and power requirements can vary across markets. In practice, permit applications, inspection checklists, and occupancy classification drive whether a project must include alarms. The statewide Texas CO detector law for child care remains relevant, but most residential compliance decisions are made at local level. That is why portfolio managers track jurisdiction-specific code matrices before renovation or acquisition decisions.

How do Texas rules compare with California statewide requirements?

Texas and California use very different legal models. California has a direct statewide residential statute in Health and Safety Code Section 17926 plus code-level requirements in CRC R315. Texas relies on a narrower statewide statute for child-care operations and broader local code adoption for many homes and rentals. If your team operates in both states, use separate policies for acquisition due diligence, retrofit budgeting, and inspection readiness. For the statewide model, see California CO detector laws and compare them with the local-code workflow used in Texas.

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