Big changes are coming to home safety in Ottawa — and every homeowner, buyer, and seller needs to be ready. Starting January 1, 2026, the City of Ottawa will require a carbon monoxide (CO) alarm on every floor of a home, not just a single detector somewhere in the house IF your home has a combustible system like gas fireplace, gas or oil furnace or even a gas appliance like a stove or clothes dryer.
This update to Ottawa’s safety by-law aims to reduce the risk of CO poisoning, especially in older homes, multi-story properties, and houses with fuel-burning appliances. As real estate professionals, we’re already preparing buyers and sellers for this shift — because compliance will absolutely matter during home inspections.
If your home has more than one level — even a finished basement — you’ll now need a CO detector installed on each floor. That includes:
Basement
Main level
Second floor
Third floor / loft levels
Any additional storys
Homes with gas furnaces, fireplaces, water heaters, attached garages, or anything that burns fuel are especially at risk — and will be expected to comply.
Beginning in 2026, expect CO alarms to become a standard checklist item for:
Pre-listing preparations
Home inspections
Buyer conditions and offers
Insurance approvals
Missing alarms may slow down a sale, trigger repair requests, or impact buyer confidence. Thankfully, CO detectors are inexpensive, easy to install, and a fast way to upgrade safety — and protect property value.
Installing CO detectors on every floor is a simple step that makes your home safer, compliant, and more appealing to future buyers. If you’re thinking of selling in 2026 or beyond, it’s smart to get ahead of the requirement now.
