Carbon monoxide alarms have been required in new homes in Minnesota since January 2007, and have been required in existing single family homes since August 1st, 2008.  CO alarms need to be installed within ten feet of every room lawfully used for sleeping purposes.  “Installed” means hardwired, plugged in to an outlet, or attached to the wall if battery operated.

Because the requirement for CO alarms is a Minnesota Statute (not a rule), the requirements for CO alarms will not be enforced by building officials – although some may choose to enforce them anyway.

The cities of Minneapolis and South Saint Paul enforce the requirement for CO alarms through their Truth-in-Housing programs.  The cities of Saint Paul and Maplewood require evaluators to list missing CO alarms as a hazard, but homeowners do not need to fix this hazard.

To keep current with today’s requirements and to keep your home safe, I recommend upgrading to today’s standards.   I have hardwired, interconnected smoke detectors throughout my home, so I replaced two of the hardwired smoke detectors with combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.  Of all the ways to install a carbon monoxide alarm, this is the most difficult, but it only takes about 15 minutes.

The full requirements for carbon monoxide alarms can be found at Minnesota Statute 299F.50

For more information on common Truth In Sale of Housing defects, click on any of the links below.

• Missing Jumper Wire
• Floor Drains
• Vacuum Breakers (backflow preventers)
• Toilet Ballcocks
• Smoke Detectors

Reuben Saltzman, Structure Tech Home Inspections – Email – Minneapolis Home Inspections