Minn. Stat. § 299F § 299F.51
REQUIREMENTS FOR CARBON MONOXIDE ALARMS.
Operative Text
Subdivision 1.Generally. (a) Every single-family dwelling and every dwelling unit in a multifamily dwelling must have an approved and operational carbon monoxide alarm installed within ten feet of each room lawfully used for sleeping purposes. (b) Every guest room in a hotel or lodging house must have an approved and operational carbon monoxide alarm installed in each room lawfully used for sleeping purposes. Subd. 2.Owner's duties. (a) The owner of a multifamily dwelling unit which is required to be equipped with one or more approved carbon monoxide alarms must: (1) provide and install one approved and operational carbon monoxide alarm within ten feet of each room lawfully used for sleeping; and (2) replace any required carbon monoxide alarm that has been stolen, removed, found missing, or rendered inoperable during a prior occupancy of the dwelling unit and which has not been replaced by the prior occupant prior to the commencement of a new occupancy of a dwelling unit. (b) The owner of a hotel or lodging house that is required to be equipped with one or more approved carbon monoxide alarms must: (1) provide and install one approved and operational carbon monoxide alarm in each room lawfully used for sleeping; and (2) replace any required carbon monoxide alarm that has been stolen, removed, found missing, or rendered inoperable during a prior occupancy and that has not been replaced by the prior occupant prior to the commencement of a new occupancy of a hotel guest room or lodging house. Subd. 3.Occupant's duties. The occupant of each dwelling unit in a multifamily dwelling in which an approved and operational carbon monoxide alarm has been provided and installed by the owner must: (1) keep and maintain the device in good repair; and (2) replace any device that is stolen, removed, missing, or rendered inoperable during the occupancy of the dwelling unit. Subd. 4.Battery removal prohibited. No person shall remove batteries from, or in any way render inoperable, a required carbon monoxide alarm. Subd. 5.Exceptions; certain multifamily dwellings and state-operated facilities. (a) In lieu of requirements of subdivision 1, multifamily dwellings may have approved and operational carbon monoxide detectors installed between 15 and 25 feet of carbon monoxide-producing central fixtures and equipment, provided there is a centralized alarm system or other mechanism for responsible parties to hear the alarm at all times. (b) An owner of a multifamily dwelling that contains minimal or no sources of carbon monoxide may be exempted from the requirements of subdivision 1, provided that such owner certifies to the commissioner of public safety that such multifamily dwelling poses no foreseeable carbon monoxide risk to the health and safety of the dwelling units. (c) The requirements of this section do not apply to facilities owned or operated by the state of Minnesota. Subd. 6.Safety warning. A first violation of this section shall not result in a penalty, but is punishable by a safety warning. A second or subsequent violation is a petty misdemeanor.
Minn. Stat. § 299F.51 establishes that single-family homes, multifamily dwelling units, and hotel or lodging house guest rooms must have approved, operational carbon monoxide alarms placed within ten feet of any sleeping area (or inside the room for hotels). The law divides responsibility between property owners, who must install and replace alarms between occupancies, and occupants, who must maintain and replace alarms during their tenancy. Removing or disabling a required alarm is expressly prohibited, and a first violation results in a safety warning while subsequent violations constitute a petty misdemeanor.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Minn. Stat. § 299F.51, owners of multifamily dwellings and hotels are responsible for providing and installing approved carbon monoxide alarms before each new occupancy begins, and for replacing any alarm that was stolen, removed, or rendered inoperable during a prior tenancy. Compliant operators typically document the condition of alarms at move-in and move-out inspections to establish whether replacement obligations have been met. Owners of multifamily buildings with minimal carbon monoxide sources may seek an exemption by certifying to the commissioner of public safety that no foreseeable risk exists, and certain centralized detection systems may satisfy the placement requirements in lieu of individual unit alarms.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Minn. Stat. § 299F.51 gives occupants of multifamily dwelling units the right to have an approved, operational carbon monoxide alarm installed by the owner within ten feet of each sleeping area before they move in. During the tenancy, occupants are responsible for keeping the alarm in good repair and replacing it if it goes missing or becomes inoperable — and no one may remove its batteries or disable it. Tenants who believe an owner has failed to meet installation or replacement obligations may consider contacting their local housing or fire code enforcement office, or reaching out to a tenant-rights organization for general information about available options.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated September 30, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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