CO Detector Rules in West Virginia: Rental and Lodging Requirements

Last verified: February 17, 2026

West Virginia carbon monoxide detector laws in section 15A-10-12 apply to covered rental and lodging contexts where fuel-burning sources create carbon monoxide risk. The statute includes concrete installation, power, and occupancy language for specified residential and lodging categories, plus special provisions for schools and daycare facilities that use fuel-burning systems.

West Virginia also provides explicit escalating misdemeanor fines for repeated noncompliance, which increases enforcement exposure when deficiencies are left unresolved. Because the framework is occupancy-specific, operators should map each property class to the relevant subsection and maintain records for installation, testing, and corrective action.

West Virginia compliance files should keep subsection citations and dated remediation evidence.

Quick Safety Summary

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

When Are CO Alarms Required?

Buildings with fuel-burning appliances
New construction
Section 15A-10-12 includes requirements for schools and daycare facilities using fuel-burning systems.
Newly constructed covered occupancies in cited categories include hardwired power language with battery backup.

Where to Install CO Alarms

In covered residential and lodging settings, detectors are required in sleeping-related areas adjoining or vertically related to spaces containing qualifying fuel-burning equipment.
In covered schools and daycare facilities, detectors are required in areas with fuel-burning heating systems or other fuel-burning devices producing combustion gases.

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

Device Requirements

Operational single-station carbon monoxide detector or approved combination smoke and carbon monoxide detector in covered settings.
Alternating current power pathways with battery backup are specified in cited section language, including hardwired requirements in listed new-construction categories.

Landlord and Tenant Responsibilities

Landlord: Covered owners and lessors must install and maintain required detectors in listed rental and residential categories under section 15A-10-12.

Section language is occupancy-specific, so operators should verify that each property class falls within the cited categories.

Enforcement

Enforced by: West Virginia State Fire Marshal framework with local enforcement participation under applicable fire and code administration practice.

Enforcement typically occurs:

During inspections and enforcement review for covered occupancies.
During follow-up on reported missing or non-operational detectors in listed properties.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

West Virginia section 15A-10-12 establishes escalating misdemeanor fines of $250 for first offense, $750 for second offense, and $2,000 for third and subsequent offenses.

West Virginia Code section 15A-10-12(l) and section 15A-10-12(m).

Additional Notes

West Virginia duties in the cited sources are occupancy-specific and are not asserted as one universal owner-occupied-home mandate.
Compliance teams should preserve subsection references to avoid applying the wrong trigger language across property classes.

Official Sources & References

West Virginia Code section 15A-10-12 detector requirements — 15A-10-12(f), 15A-10-12(g), 15A-10-12(i) (state code, accessed 2026-02-17)
Core statewide requirements for covered occupancy categories, device types, and power pathways.
West Virginia Code section 15A-10-12 penalties — 15A-10-12(l) and 15A-10-12(m) (state code, accessed 2026-02-17)
Escalating misdemeanor fine schedule and related penalty-language context.
West Virginia Code section 15A-10-1 office of state fire marshal — 15A-10-1 (state code, accessed 2026-02-17)
State fire marshal authority context for code and enforcement administration.

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

Are carbon monoxide alarms required statewide in West Virginia rentals?

West Virginia section 15A-10-12 creates statewide obligations for covered rental and lodging categories where qualifying fuel-burning conditions are present. The statute is not written as one universal owner-occupied mandate for every home type, so occupancy classification is a key first step. Operators should map each property to the applicable subsection before deciding scope and installation timing. West Virginia compliance files should include subsection citations, installation records, and maintenance follow-up logs.

How do West Virginia code pathways handle repeated CO detector violations?

West Virginia Code section 15A-10-12(l) lists escalating misdemeanor fines: $250 for first offense, $750 for second offense, and $2,000 for third and subsequent offenses. This structure means repeated unresolved deficiencies can significantly increase exposure. Section 15A-10-12(m) also adds context for how violation language is treated in civil proceedings. Operators should prioritize quick correction and preserve dated proof of remediation for each cited violation. Include correction deadlines and completion confirmation in each case file.

Which West Virginia occupancies are explicitly listed in section 15A-10-12?

The cited section includes listed rental and lodging categories, plus school and daycare language where fuel-burning systems are present. Because scope is defined by statutory wording, operators should avoid broad assumptions and verify each property class against the exact subsection text. This is especially important in portfolios with mixed-use, care, and transient occupancy settings. West Virginia inspection packets should include occupancy determination notes and the subsection used to support each compliance decision.

Where should detectors be installed under West Virginia requirements?

Section 15A-10-12 uses location language tied to sleeping-related areas and proximity to spaces containing qualifying fuel-burning equipment in covered residential and lodging settings. It also provides specific area-based placement for covered schools and daycare facilities using fuel-burning systems. Teams should document room-level decisions and tie each location to the relevant subsection. West Virginia operators should keep as-built records and correction history ready for enforcement review. This documentation should be available for school and lodging audits.

Do all-electric West Virginia units always avoid these duties?

Not always. West Virginia applicability depends on statutory trigger language and occupancy class, so exemption decisions should be made only after reviewing the exact section text for the property type. Owners should request local interpretation if scope is unclear and keep written confirmation in the compliance file. This reduces risk of misclassification during inspections. West Virginia records should include the subsection basis for each exemption conclusion. Keep decision date and reviewer name in the same file.

In West Virginia programs, what procedure differs most from Ohio enforcement workflow?

West Virginia in this dataset uses occupancy-specific statutory language with an explicit escalating fine schedule, while Ohio operators may follow a different code and enforcement structure depending on building class and jurisdiction. Regional teams should keep separate Appalachian compliance matrices rather than one shared template. For cross-state alignment, review Ohio CO detector laws and compare trigger models, penalty posture, and documentation workflow. West Virginia teams should separate section 15A-10-12 logs from Ohio code-reference records.

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