OGDEN -- The city has changed its ordinance on carbon monoxide detectors, shifting responsibility from owners to occupants.
The new ordinance, which was passed at a recent city council meeting, makes occupants of residential dwellings or dwelling units built before 2005 responsible for installing, maintaining, testing and replacing carbon monoxide detectors.
The ordinance removes any language placing the responsibility on property owners.
The city's action was necessary to comply with state law.
In 2009, Gov. Gary Herbert signed into law a bill that prohibits municipalities from requiring building owners to install and maintain the detectors.
State law stipulates that for buildings built after 2005, the builders must install the detectors while the units are being built.
Ogden City Fire Chief Mike Mathieu said it is now important that Ogden maintain its city-sponsored assistance program for carbon monoxide detectors.
Residents can purchase detectors from the city cashier's office for roughly half the retail price by showing proof of residency.
Mathieu said the program will be beneficial to low- or fixed-income residents who will now be responsible for installing and maintaining detectors.
Mathieu told the council that an annual recurring amount of $2,500 should be enough to cover the program.
Mathieu said that regardless of who is responsible for the carbon monoxide detectors, having a working one in place is the most important thing.
"We just want everybody to have a working carbon monoxide detector in their home," Mathieu said. "That's our biggest concern."
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