20 V.S.A. § ___ § 2729
General provisions
Operative Text
(a) A person shall not build or cause to be built any structure that is unsafe or likely to be unsafe to other persons or property in case of fire or generation and leakage of carbon monoxide. (b) A person shall not maintain, keep, or operate any premises or any part thereof, or cause or permit to be maintained, kept, or operated, any premises or part thereof, under his or her control or ownership in a manner that causes or is likely to cause harm to other persons or property in case of fire or generation and leakage of carbon monoxide. (c) On premises under a person’s control, excluding single family owner-occupied houses and premises, that person shall observe rules adopted under this subchapter for the prevention of fires and carbon monoxide leakage that may cause harm to other persons or property. (d) Any condominium or multiple unit dwelling using a common roof, or row houses so-called, or other residential buildings in which people sleep, including hotels, motels, and tourist homes, excluding single family owner-occupied houses and premises, whether the units are owned or leased or rented, shall be subject to the rules adopted under this subchapter and shall be provided with one or more carbon monoxide detectors, as defined in 9 V.S.A. § 2881(3), properly installed according to the manufacturer’s requirements. (Added 2003, No. 141 (Adj. Sess.), § 3, eff. April 1, 2005; amended 2005, No. 19, § 2, eff. July 1, 2005.)
Vermont law under 20 V.S.A. ch. 173 § 2729 establishes broad fire and carbon monoxide safety obligations for buildings and premises. No person may construct, maintain, or operate a structure in a way that creates unsafe conditions related to fire or carbon monoxide generation and leakage. Multi-unit residential buildings—including condominiums, row houses, hotels, motels, and tourist homes—must comply with state fire-prevention rules and be equipped with properly installed carbon monoxide detectors as defined under 9 V.S.A. § 2881(3), with an exemption for single-family owner-occupied homes.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers of multi-unit dwellings, condominiums, row houses, hotels, motels, and tourist homes covered by 20 V.S.A. ch. 173 § 2729 generally ensure that carbon monoxide detectors are installed in accordance with manufacturer requirements and that the premises are maintained in a manner that does not create fire or carbon monoxide hazards. Compliant operators also follow the fire-prevention rules adopted under this subchapter and avoid constructing or maintaining any structure likely to pose a danger to occupants or neighboring property. Single-family owner-occupied homes are excluded from the detector and rule-compliance requirements, though the general prohibition on unsafe conditions still applies broadly.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under 20 V.S.A. ch. 173 § 2729, tenants living in covered multi-unit residential buildings have an interest in premises that are free from unsafe fire and carbon monoxide conditions, including the right to have properly installed carbon monoxide detectors provided by the person in control of the building. If a rental unit appears to lack required detectors or presents fire or carbon monoxide hazards, tenants may consider contacting Vermont's state fire marshal's office or local code enforcement authorities, or reaching out to a tenant-rights organization for guidance on available options. Documenting the condition of detectors and any related communications with a landlord can be relevant if a complaint or other action is later pursued.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 18, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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