Hempstead Town, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 99 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 99-17

A. Board intent and purpose. The Town Board hereby finds that carbon monoxide, a colorless, odorless, poisonous gas produced by incomplete burning of solid, liquid and gaseous fuels used to heat homes or to operate motor vehicles, cook and produce heated water, presents a danger to the health of Town of Hempstead residents. The Town Board further finds that the loss of life caused by carbon monoxide poisoning is preventable by the proper installation and use of carbon monoxide alarms in rental dwellings. B. Carbon monoxide alarms required in rental dwellings. (1) Every rental dwelling, which contains a fuel-burning appliance or equipment, which shall be defined as any appliance capable of burning organic materials in accordance with this provision, shall have installed and shall maintain, in good working condition, the required number of carbon monoxide alarms, which shall have a battery backup if electrically operated. Such carbon monoxide alarm may be combined with a smoke-detecting device which complies with the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code. (2) Installation location. (a) In every rental dwelling, a carbon monoxide alarm shall be installed adjacent to any bedroom maintained in such rental dwelling, as per manufacturer's specifications. (b) In any additional area the Code Enforcement Official deems necessary. (3) Compliance with other standards. Each approved carbon monoxide alarm shall comply with all applicable state, county and Town regulations, shall bear the label of a nationally recognized standard testing laboratory, and shall meet the standard of UL 2034, the Standard for Single and Multiple Station Carbon Monoxide Alarms, or its equivalent. (4) Rendering alarm inoperable prohibited. Except as herein provided, it shall be prohibited to render an installed carbon monoxide alarm inoperable by breaking such alarm, painting the exterior, taping over the alarm, disabling the alarm, removing the battery or using any other method which prevents such carbon monoxide alarm from operating in the manner for which it was intended. This provision shall not apply to the normal procedure of replacing batteries in such carbon monoxide alarm. C. Duty of owner. (1) It shall be the duty of the owner of a rental dwelling to: (a) Provide and install operational carbon monoxide alarm(s) in each rental dwelling as required that shall have a battery backup if electrically operated. (b) As part of the rental permit application process, and in order to receive or renew a rental permit, complete a Town of Hempstead carbon monoxide detector certificate of installation and deliver the completed certificate to the Town of Hempstead Code Enforcement Official, depending upon the number of rental units prior to receiving or renewing a rental permit. (c) Replace any carbon monoxide alarm that has been stolen, removed, found missing or rendered inoperable within five days of receiving notification from the occupant, as described in § 99-17D(1) , that said alarm has been stolen, removed, found missing or rendered inoperable. (d) Any carbon monoxide alarm(s) must be replaced as per manufacturer's specifications. D. Duty of occupant. It shall be the duty of the occupant of a rental dwelling to: (1) Notify the owner of the rental dwelling in writing if any carbon monoxide alarm has been stolen, removed, found missing or rendered inoperable. (2) Test, maintain and replace required batteries for carbon monoxide alarms located in the rental dwelling at least every six months. E. Severability. If any clause, sentence, paragraph, section or part of this article shall be adjudged by any court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid or unconstitutional, such judgment shall not affect, impair or invalidate the remainder thereof but shall be confined in its operation to the clause, sentence, paragraph, section or part thereof directly involved in the controversy and in which such judgment shall have been rendered.