An ordinance, adopted by the Mayor and Council in November, will require carbon monoxide detectors in Rockville homes built prior to 2008 that have a fuel-burning appliance or attached garage.
The city ordinance incorporates legislation passed by the county in October, which will go into effect July 1, to allow residents time to understand and comply with the new requirement. Since 2008, all new single-family dwellings and townhouses in the State of Maryland have been required to install carbon monoxide detectors. Exposure to carbon monoxide, which is colorless and odorless, can cause serious injury or death.
Specifically, the county bill requires owners of single-unit, two-unit and townhouse dwelling units, with fuel-burning appliances or attached garages that were permitted before Jan. 1, 2008, to install and maintain carbon monoxide alarms.