Rules by state
California
California handles these items differently for site-built homes and manufactured/mobilehomes. For a site-built one- or two-unit dwelling, the clearest statewide sale-transfer rule I found is the seller’s written smoke-alarm compliance statement; carbon monoxide devices are separately required in qualifying dwellings, but I did not find a separate statewide site-built transfer certificate. Manufactured homes and mobilehomes have an HCD transfer form/declaration process that specifically covers smoke and carbon monoxide devices.
Checked against official sources on October 4, 2026. Rules and links change; confirm with the office listed before you act.
- At sale or transfer
- For a California site-built one- or two-unit dwelling, the seller must transfer an operable smoke alarm and provide the buyer a written smoke-alarm compliance statement; carbon monoxide devices are separately required in qualifying dwellings, but I did not find a separate statewide site-built transfer certificate.
- Code reference
- Health & Safety Code § 13113.8; Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention Act of 2010 (Health & Safety Code Chapter 8, commencing with § 13260)
Official resources in California
Official statute for smoke alarms in sold single-family dwellings, including the seller’s written compliance statement and remedy limits.
Official DRE compilation that reproduces transfer-disclosure statutes, including smoke-alarm rules and manufactured-home transfer provisions.
Official OSFM guidance on when carbon monoxide alarms are required, where they go, and that local fire/building departments are typical enforcing agencies.
Official HCD transfer form for manufactured homes/mobilehomes covering smoke detectors, carbon monoxide devices, and the sale-date declaration.
Official OSFM page explaining California approval, labeling, and servicing rules for portable fire extinguishers sold in the state.
Key facts for California
- A sold California single-family dwelling must have an operable smoke alarm, and the seller must give the buyer a written compliance statement. Source: HSC §13113.8.
- The smoke-alarm statement must be delivered as soon as practicable before title transfer; it may be in the receipt, an addendum, or a separate document. Source: HSC §13113.8.
- Failure to comply with HSC §13113.8 does not invalidate title transfer; the exclusive remedy is actual damages up to $100. Source: HSC §13113.8(g).
- California requires carbon monoxide alarms in single-family homes with an attached garage or fossil-fuel source; OSFM lists July 1, 2011 as the single-family effective date.
- OSFM says typical enforcement for carbon monoxide installation is the local fire and/or building department, not a statewide sale inspector.
- For battery-operated combination smoke/CO alarms approved after January 1, 2014, OSFM says listing requires a nonreplaceable, nonremovable 10-year battery and end-of-life feature.
What to do next
- For a site-built one- or two-unit home sale, confirm operable smoke alarms now and make sure the seller’s written HSC §13113.8 statement is included in the transaction file.
- If the home has an attached garage, fireplace, furnace, or other fossil-fuel source, verify listed carbon monoxide alarms are installed outside sleeping areas before closing.
- If the property is a manufactured home or mobilehome, ask whether HCD form 476.6A or the equivalent multipurpose transfer form will be submitted with the title paperwork.
Helpful guides
- Massachusetts 26F smoke and CO certificate: how it works
- New Jersey smoke, CO and fire extinguisher certificate for resale
- Where smoke alarms must go: levels, bedrooms and hallways
- Carbon monoxide alarm placement rules