What are the Fire Safety Laws & Legislation for every state?
What this guide covers
- Minimum placement and power requirements that commonly appear in state rules
- Quick state snapshots for notable variations
- NFPA best-practice placement guidance (useful when state law is silent)
- A reminder to verify with your local authority having jurisdiction (AHJ)
Quick takeaways (most states)
- Smoke alarms are required in all residential buildings. New or renovated homes typically must use hardwired, interconnected alarms with battery backup.
- Carbon monoxide (CO) alarms are broadly required in homes with fuel-burning appliances, fireplaces, or attached garages, often hardwired/interconnected in new or renovated homes.
- Many states now specify or encourage 10-year sealed batteries for battery-powered units and/or when replacing older devices.
NFPA placement guidance (use this when in doubt)
- Smoke alarms:
- In all sleeping/guest rooms.
- Outside each sleeping area (within 21 ft).
- On every level, including basements.
- In living areas of guest suites.
- CO alarms:
- Outside each separate sleeping area, near bedrooms.
- On every occupiable level (including basements; typically, not attics/crawl spaces).
- Anywhere else required by local code.
State snapshots (selected highlights)
Select your state from the list below to access detailed legislation and stay aligned with current regulatory standards.
List of States
Alabama
Smoke Alarms: are required in residential buildings. New and renovated homes must have hardwired, interconnected alarms with battery backup.Carbon Monoxide Alarms: are required in new and renovated one/two-family homes and in existing multi-family homes that contain carbon-based-fueled appliances, devices that produce by-products of combustion, or an attached garage. Alarms must be hardwired, interconnected, and have battery backup.
Alaska
Smoke Alarms are required in residential buildings. New and renovated homes must have hardwired, interconnected alarms with battery backup.Carbon Monoxide Alarms are required in all residential buildings with carbon-based-fueled appliances, attached garages, or adjacent parking spaces.
Arizona
Smoke Alarms are required in residential buildings. New and renovated homes must have hardwired, interconnected alarms with battery backup. Smoke alarms can be battery-operated so long as they have a sealed 10-year lithium battery. Homeowners must install 10-year sealed battery alarms when replacing old units. In Phoenix, a smoke alarm cannot remain in service longer than 10 years from its manufacture date.Carbon Monoxide Alarms are required outside sleeping areas in all new homes of three or fewer stories.
Arkansas
Smoke Alarms are required in residential buildings. New and renovated homes must have hardwired, interconnected alarms with battery backup.Carbon Monoxide Alarms are required in new and renovated homes containing a carbon-based-fueled appliance, a device that produces by-products of combustion, or an attached garage. They must be hardwired, interconnected, and have battery backup. Carbon monoxide alarms must also be installed in existing homes before the sale or transfer of that home.
California
Smoke Alarms are required in all residential buildings in accordance with NFPA guidelines. Must have non-replaceable, non-removable battery with a life of at least 10 years.Carbon Monoxide Alarms are required in all single and multi-family homes.
Colorado
Smoke Alarms are required in residential buildings. New and renovated homes must have hardwired, interconnected alarms with battery backup. Smoke alarms must be installed before the sale or transfer of a home.Carbon Monoxide Alarms are required in new and renovated homes containing a carbon-based-fueled appliance, a device that produces by-products of combustion, or an attached garage. They must be hardwired, interconnected, and have battery back-up. Carbon monoxide alarms must also be installed in existing homes before sales or transfer.
Connecticut
Smoke Alarms are required in residential buildings. New and renovated homes must have hardwired, interconnected alarms with battery back-up. Smoke alarms must be installed before the sale or transfer of a home.Carbon Monoxide Alarms are required in new and renovated homes containing a carbon-based-fueled appliance, a device that produces by-products of combustion, or an attached garage, as well as homes with fuel-fired heaters or appliances. Alarms must be hardwired, interconnected, and have a battery back-up.
Delaware
Smoke Alarms are required in all residential buildings. New and renovated homes must include hardwired, interconnected alarms with battery back-up.Carbon Monoxide Alarms are required in new and renovated homes containing a carbon-based-fueled appliance, a device that produces by-products of combustion, or an attached garage. Alarms must be hardwired, interconnected, and have battery back-up.
Florida
Smoke Alarms are required in all residential buildings. New and renovated homes must include hardwired, interconnected alarms with battery back-up. Smoke alarms must be installed before the sale or transfer of a home.Carbon Monoxide Alarms are required in new and renovated homes containing carbon-based-fueled appliances, products that produce by-products of combustion, or an attached garage. They may be hardwired or battery powered.
Georgia
Smoke Alarms are required in all residential buildings. New and renovated homes must include hardwired, interconnected alarms with battery back-up. Smoke alarms must be installed before the sale or transfer of a home. Existing battery-powered alarms must be replaced by 10-year sealed battery smoke alarms when updated.Carbon Monoxide Alarms are required in new and renovated homes containing a carbon-based-fueled appliance, a device that produces by-products of combustion, or an attached garage. New and renovated homes must have hardwired, interconnected alarms with a battery back-up.
Hawaii
Smoke Alarms are required in all residential buildings. New and renovated homes must include hardwired, interconnected alarms with battery backup.Carbon Monoxide Alarms are required in new and renovated homes with carbon-based-fueled appliances, devices that produce by-products of combustion, or an attached garage, and they must be hardwired, interconnected, and have battery back-up.
Idaho
Smoke Alarms are required in all residential buildings. New and renovated homes must include hardwired, interconnected alarms with battery back-up.Carbon Monoxide Alarms are required in new and renovated homes containing a carbon-based-fueled appliance, a device that produces by-products of combustion, or an attached garage, or with a fuel-fired heater or appliances. Alarms must be hardwired, interconnected, and have battery back-up.
Illinois
Smoke Alarms are required in all residential buildings. New and renovated homes must include hardwired, interconnected alarms with battery back-up. Existing battery-powered alarms must be replaced by 10-year sealed battery smoke alarms when updated.Carbon Monoxide Alarms are required within 15 feet of all sleeping areas in homes containing a carbon-based-fueled appliance, attached garage, or adjacent parking space. In new and renovated homes, alarms must be hardwired, interconnected, and have battery backup.
Indiana
Smoke Alarms are required in all residential buildings. New and renovated homes must include hardwired, interconnected alarms with battery back-up.Carbon Monoxide Alarms are required in newly constructed, existing, or renovated homes containing a carbon-based-fueled appliance, a device that produces by-products of combustion, or an attached garage. New and renovated homes must have hardwired, interconnected alarms with a battery back-up.
Iowa
Smoke Alarms are required in all residential buildings. New and renovated homes must include hardwired, interconnected alarms. Battery-powered smoke alarms must have a 10-year sealed battery.Carbon Monoxide Alarms are required in all homes containing carbon-based-fueled appliances, attached garages, or adjacent parking spaces. Alarms in new and renovated homes must be hardwired, interconnected, and have battery back-up. Carbon Monoxide Detection Systems are an acceptable alternative to Carbon Monoxide Alarms.
Kansas
Smoke Alarms are required in all residential buildings. New homes must have hardwired alarms in some jurisdictions.Carbon Monoxide Alarms are required in residential buildings containing a carbon-based-fueled appliance, a device that produces by-products of combustion, or an attached garage.
Kentucky
Smoke Alarms are required in residential buildings. New and renovated buildings must be hardwired, interconnected, and have battery back-up.Carbon Monoxide Alarms are required in new and renovated homes containing carbon-based-fueled appliances, devices that produce by-products of combustion, or an attached garage. They must be hardwired, interconnected, and have battery back-up.
Louisiana
Smoke Alarms are required in all residential buildings. New and renovated homes must include hardwired, interconnected alarms with battery back-up. When sold or leased, homes must have ten-year, sealed lithium battery smoke alarms.Carbon Monoxide Alarms are required in new and renovated residential homes with carbon-based-fueled appliances, devices that produce by-products of combustion, or an attached garage. Alarms must be hardwired, interconnected, and have battery back-up.
Maine
Smoke Alarms are required in all residential buildings. New and renovated homes must have hardwired, interconnected alarms with battery back-up. Single-family dwellings should have 10-year sealed battery smoke alarms.Carbon Monoxide Alarms are required in new and renovated homes, and they must be hardwired and have a battery backup. Alarms in existing homes can be hardwired with battery-backup or have a non-replaceable 10-year battery. If they have replaceable batteries, they must use low-power radio frequency wireless communication signals, multiple sensors, and audible notification capability.
Maryland
Smoke Alarms are required in all residential buildings. New and renovated homes must have hardwired, interconnected alarms with battery back-up. Battery powered alarms must be replaced with 10-year sealed battery smoke alarms.Carbon Monoxide Alarms are required in new or renovated homes containing carbon-based-fueled appliances, devices that produce by-products of combustion, or an attached garage. New and renovated homes must have hardwired, interconnected alarms with battery backup.
Massachusetts
Smoke Alarms are required in all residential buildings. New and renovated homes must have hardwired, interconnected alarms with battery backup or battery powered alarms with a 10-year tamper-proof battery.Carbon Monoxide Alarms are required in all residential buildings containing a carbon-based-fueled appliance, attached garage, or adjacent parking space. New and renovated homes must have hardwired alarms with battery backup.
Michigan
Smoke Alarms are required in all residential buildings. New and renovated homes must have hardwired, interconnect alarms with battery backup.Carbon Monoxide Alarms are required in new and renovated homes containing a carbon-based-fueled appliance, a device that produces by-products of combustion, or an attached garage.
Minnesota
Smoke Alarms are required in all residential buildings. New and renovated homes must have hardwired, interconnected alarms with battery backup.Carbon Monoxide Alarms are required in all new and existing homes. Alarms must be installed within 10 feet of each sleeping area/bedroom.
Mississippi
Smoke Alarms are required in all residential buildings. New and renovated homes must have hardwired, interconnected alarms with battery backup.Carbon Monoxide Alarms are required in new and renovated homes not more than three stories.
Missouri
Smoke Alarms are generally required in new homes and must be hardwired and interconnected. There is no state-wide standard. Codes are adopted at the local level.Carbon Monoxide Alarms are generally required in new homes containing carbon-based-fueled appliances, devices that produce by-products of combustion, or an attached garage. There is no state-wide standard. Codes are adopted at the local level.
Montana
Smoke Alarms are required in all residential buildings. New and renovated dwellings must have hardwired, interconnected alarms with battery backup.Carbon Monoxide Alarms are required in new and renovated homes that contain carbon-based-fueled appliances, devices that produce by-products of combustion, or an attached garage. Alarms must be hardwired, interconnected, and have battery backup.
Nebraska
Smoke Alarms are required in all residential buildings. New and renovated buildings must have hardwired, interconnected alarms with battery backup.Carbon Monoxide Alarms are required in new and renovated homes containing carbon-based-fueled appliances, devices that produce by-products of combustion, or an attached garage. Residences with fuel-burning appliances or attached garages must have carbon monoxide alarms on every floor before sale or transfer. New and renovated homes must have hardwired, interconnected alarms with battery backup.
Nevada
Smoke Alarms are required in all residential buildings. New and renovated homes must have hardwired, interconnected alarms with battery backup.Carbon Monoxide Alarms are required in new and renovated homes with carbon-based-fueled appliances, devices that produce by-products of combustion, or an attached garage. Alarms must be hardwired, interconnected, and have battery backup.
New Hampshire
Smoke Alarms are required in all residential buildings. New and renovated homes must have hardwired, interconnected alarms with battery backup.Carbon Monoxide Alarms are required in new and renovated homes with carbon-based-fueled appliances, devices that produce by-products of combustion, or an attached garage. Alarms must be hardwired, interconnected, and have battery backup.
New Jersey
Smoke Alarms are required in all residential buildings. New and renovated homes must have hardwired, interconnected alarms with battery backup. Battery-powered alarms must contain a 10-year sealed battery.Carbon Monoxide Alarms are required in all new and existing residential buildings. New and renovated homes must have hardwired, interconnected alarms with battery backup.
New Mexico
Smoke Alarms are required in all residential buildings. New and renovated homes must have hardwired, interconnected alarms with battery backup.Carbon Monoxide Alarms are required in new and renovated homes that contain a fuel-burning appliance or an attached garage. Alarms must be hardwired, interconnected, and have battery backup.
New York
Smoke Alarms are required in all residential buildings. New and renovated homes must have hardwired, interconnected alarms with battery backup. Battery powered alarms must have a 10-year sealed battery.Carbon Monoxide Alarms are required in new and renovated homes with a carbon-based-fueled appliance, device that produces by-products of combustion, or an attached garage. Alarms must be hardwired, interconnected, and have battery backup.
North Carolina
Smoke Alarms are required in all residential buildings. New and renovated homes must have hardwired, interconnected alarms with battery backup. Battery-powered alarms must contain a 10-year sealed battery when updated.Carbon Monoxide Alarms are required in new and renovated homes with carbon-based-fueled appliances, devices that produce by-products of combustion, or an attached garage. Alarms must be hardwired, interconnected, and have battery backup.
North Dakota
Smoke Alarms are required in all residential buildings. New and renovated homes must have hardwired, interconnected alarms with battery backup. Smoke alarms are required in residential rental properties.Carbon Monoxide Alarms are required in new and renovated homes with carbon-based-fueled appliances, devices that produce by-products of combustion, or an attached garage. Alarms must be hardwired, interconnected, and have battery backup.
Ohio
Smoke Alarms are required in all residential buildings. New homes must have a smoke alarm with photoelectric and ionization technologies on every level of the unit. Smoke alarms must be in each bedroom and sleeping area as well as outside the sleeping areas.Carbon Monoxide Alarms are required in new residential buildings not more than three stories.
Oklahoma
Smoke Alarms are required in all residential buildings. New and renovated homes must have hardwired, interconnected alarms with battery backup.Carbon Monoxide Alarms are required in new and renovated homes with carbon-based-fueled appliances, devices that produce by-products of combustion, or an attached garage. Alarms must be hardwired, interconnected, and have battery backup.
Oregon
Smoke Alarms are required in all residential buildings. New and renovated homes must have hardwired, interconnected alarms with battery backup. Battery powered ionization alarms must have a 10-year tamper-proof battery.Carbon Monoxide Alarms are required in new and renovated homes with carbon-based-fueled appliances, devices that produce by-products of combustion, or an attached garage. Alarms must be installed before the sale or transfer of a home. Alarms in new and renovated homes must be hardwired, interconnected, and have battery backup.
Pennsylvania
Smoke Alarms are required in all residential buildings. New and renovated homes must have hardwired, interconnected alarms with battery backup.Carbon Monoxide Alarms are required in new and renovated homes containing a carbon-based-fueled appliance, devices that produce by-products of combustion, or an attached garage. Alarms must be hardwired and interconnected with battery backup.
Rhode Island
Smoke Alarms are required in all residential buildings. New and renovated homes must have hardwired, interconnected alarms with battery backup.Carbon Monoxide Alarms are required in new and renovated homes with carbon-based-fueled appliances, devices that produce by-products of combustion, or an attached garage. Alarms must be hardwired, interconnected, and have battery backup.
South Carolina
Smoke Alarms are required in all residential buildings. New and renovated homes must have hardwired, interconnected alarms with battery backup.Carbon Monoxide Alarms are required in new and renovated homes containing carbon-based-fueled appliances, devices that produce by-products of combustion, or an attached garage. Alarms must be hardwired, interconnected, and have battery backup.
South Dakota
Smoke Alarms are required in all residential buildings. New and renovated homes must have hardwired, interconnected alarms with battery backup.Carbon Monoxide Alarms are required in new and renovated homes containing carbon-based-fueled appliances, devices that produce by-products of combustion, or an attached garage. Alarms must be hardwired, interconnected, and have battery backup.
Tennessee
Smoke Alarms are required in all residential buildings. New and renovated homes must have hardwired, interconnected alarms with battery backup.Carbon Monoxide Alarms are required in new and renovated homes containing carbon-based-fueled appliances, devices that produce by-products of combustion, or an attached garage. Alarms must be hardwired, interconnected, and have battery backup.
Texas
Smoke Alarms are generally required in new homes and must be hardwired in interconnected. Landlords are required to install smoke alarms in each sleeping area/bedroom, hallway, and floor of their rental units. There is no statewide fire or building code. Codes are adopted at the local level.Carbon Monoxide Alarms are generally required in new residential buildings with carbon-based-fueled appliances, devices that produce by-products of combustion, or an attached garage. There is no statewide code. Codes are adopted at the local level.
Utah
Smoke Alarms are required in all sleeping areas and bedrooms and on every floor of the home. New and renovated homes must have hardwired, interconnected alarms with battery backup.Carbon Monoxide Alarms are required in all new homes not more than three stories.
Vermont
Smoke Alarms are required in all residential buildings. They must be photoelectric and have a 10-year sealed battery. Homes built after January 1994 must have hardwired alarms with battery backup. Alarms must be present in each sleeping room, hallway, and level of the home.Carbon Monoxide Alarms are required in all residential buildings that contain a fuel-burning heater or cooking source, a device that produces by-products of combustion, or an attached garage. Alarms replaced or installed after June 2005 must be hardwired and have battery backup.
Virginia
Smoke Alarms are required in all residential buildings. New and renovated homes must have hardwired, interconnected alarms with battery backup. Battery-powered alarms must have a 10-year sealed battery.Carbon Monoxide Alarms are required in new and renovated homes with a carbon-based-fueled appliance, a device that produces by-products of combustion, or an attached garage. Landlords must install alarms at the renter’s request. Alarms in new and renovated homes must be hardwired, interconnected, and have battery backup.
Washington
Smoke Alarms are required in all residential buildings built after 1980 or sold on/after July 1, 2019.Carbon Monoxide Alarms are required in all residential buildings.
West Virginia
Smoke Alarms are required outside of each bedroom / sleeping area. New homes must have hardwired alarms.Carbon Monoxide Alarms are required in new or renovated homes containing a fuel-burning heater or cooking source, a device that produces by-products of combustion, or an attached garage, shed, or barn. Alarms must be plugged into an electrical outlet not controlled by a switch or must be hardwired with battery backup.
Wisconsin
Smoke Alarms are required in all residential buildings. They must be hardwired with battery backup and be installed on each floor of the home. Alarms must be placed inside each sleeping area or in the hallway within 21 feet of each sleeping area.Carbon Monoxide Alarms are required in all new and existing residential buildings that contain an appliance that burns fossil fuel or has a carbon-based fuel source that produces carbon monoxide or has an attached garage or fireplace. Alarms must be installed on every level and be hardwired with battery backup.
Wyoming
Smoke Alarms are required in all residential buildings. New and renovated homes must have hardwired, interconnected alarms with battery backup.Carbon Monoxide Alarms are required in new and renovated homes that contain a carbon-based fuel appliance, a device that produces by-products of combustion, or an attached garage. Alarms must be hardwired and interconnected with battery backup.
Buying/maintenance tips (neutral, non-brand-specific)
- Prefer interconnected alarms so when one sounds, they all sound (often required in new/renovated homes).
- Where battery-only is permitted, many states call for sealed 10-year batteries to reduce maintenance and tampering.
- Replace alarms that have reached the end of their service life (commonly 10 years for smoke alarms; check your device label).
Important disclaimer
This guide is an educational summary. Always confirm with your local/state code officials or your AHJ before purchasing or installing. Local amendments can be more specific or stringent.