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Massachusetts · c.148 §§26F, 26F½Massachusetts smoke detector and carbon monoxide inspection on sale

In Massachusetts a residential building not covered by the larger-building smoke detector sections must, on sale or transfer, be equipped by the seller with approved smoke detectors, enforced by the head of the fire department (M.G.L. c.148 §26F). Every residential building with fossil-fuel burning equipment – a furnace, boiler, water heater or fireplace – or enclosed parking must have working, approved carbon monoxide alarms, and on sale or transfer it is inspected by the head of the fire department for compliance (§26F½).

The rules

  1. Smoke detectors (§26F)

    Residential buildings not regulated by §§26A–26C must be equipped by the seller with approved smoke detectors upon sale or transfer, as provided in §26E.

  2. CO alarms (§26F½(a))

    Required in residential buildings with fossil-fuel burning equipment, such as a furnace, boiler, water heater or fireplace, or with enclosed parking within the structure.

  3. Inspection on sale (§26F½(c))

    Every residential building is inspected by the head of the fire department for CO alarm compliance upon sale or transfer.

  4. Enforcement

    The head of the fire department enforces both sections; the Board of Fire Prevention Regulations sets the type, location and maintenance rules.

What the TC tracks

  • Fire department inspection scheduled early – local wait times vary.
  • Detectors and alarms installed or replaced before the inspection date.
  • Inspection result delivered to the closing attorney before closing.

Questions about the Massachusetts smoke and CO inspection

Do you need a smoke detector inspection to sell a house in Massachusetts?

The seller must equip the building with approved smoke detectors on sale or transfer, enforced by the head of the fire department (M.G.L. c.148 §26F).

Are carbon monoxide alarms required to sell a home in Massachusetts?

Yes, in residential buildings with fossil-fuel burning equipment or enclosed parking, and the building is inspected for compliance on sale or transfer (§26F½).

Who inspects smoke and CO alarms at sale in Massachusetts?

The head of the local fire department.

Who sets the rules for alarm type and placement?

The Board of Fire Prevention Regulations, with stricter building code rules for new or substantially renovated buildings.

Related guides

Schedule the fire department inspection as a task with an owner and due date in ClosingCode, counted back from the closing date so it recalculates if closing moves.

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Source: Massachusetts General Laws c.148 §§26F and 26F½ (malegislature.gov, read October 24, 2026).

General information, not legal advice. ClosingCode is software; it is not a law firm or brokerage.