Gas Building vs All Electric Building: Which Notices Do You Need?
More NYC buildings are going all electric, with heat pumps, electric stoves and no gas line at all. That raises a fair question: do you still need all those gas and detector notices? Some yes, some no. Here's how to sort it out.
The quick answer
In short: The smoke detector notice applies to every multiple dwelling. The natural gas detector requirement doesn't apply to buildings without gas piping, but you claim an exemption with HPD. CO detector installation isn't required where there's no fuel burning device, except near an enclosed garage. When in doubt, keep the notice up.
Notice by notice
- 1Smoke detector noticeNeeded in both kinds of buildings. Smoke alarms matter no matter how the building is heated.
- 2Natural gas detector noticeNeeded in buildings with gas piping starting January 1, 2027. Buildings without gas piping are exempt once they file for the exemption.
- 3Carbon monoxide detectorsSee CO rules. Installation isn't required if the building has no fossil fuel burning device. With an enclosed garage, CO alarms go on the garage floor and the floors right above and below.
- 4Gas leak noticeSee our gas leak notice guide. If your building has no gas service, check with HPD or your attorney before removing it.
Not sure which detector notices your building needs? Send us your building details. See detector notices
What counts as "all electric"?
For these rules, what matters is whether there is gas piping or any fossil fuel burning device in the building. That includes gas stoves, gas dryers, gas or oil boilers and gas water heaters. If even one apartment or the boiler room uses gas or oil, the building isn't all electric for detector purposes.
Triggers the natural gas detector rule.
Any gas or oil appliance triggers CO detector rules.
An enclosed parking garage triggers CO alarms on nearby floors, even in an electric building.
Buildings in the middle of switching
Lots of buildings are converting step by step, like new electric stoves but an old gas boiler. Until the last gas line is capped and the last fuel burning device is gone, treat the building as a gas building. Keep the gas leak, CO and natural gas notices up. A combined notice is an easy way to cover them all on one sign.
How to claim the exemption
For the natural gas detector rule, HPD's rule lets owners of buildings without gas piping claim an exemption through its online portal or on paper, with supporting documents. Keep a copy of what you filed. If an inspector asks why there's no natural gas notice, that's your answer.
What this looks like in practice
Picture a new 8 story building in Long Island City with electric heat pumps, induction stoves and an enclosed garage in the basement. It needs the smoke detector notice, files for the natural gas exemption, and installs CO alarms in the garage and on the ground floor above it. The lobby still has a clean, complete notice wall, just with fewer signs than an older gas building.
Tips from our shop
- Document your building type.
Keep proof that gas piping was removed or never installed.
- Don't remove notices early.
Take a notice down only once the rule truly no longer applies.
- Remember the other signs.
Going electric doesn't change the rest of the required signs checklist.
Official sources: HPD natural gas detector rule, 28 RCNY Chapter 12, HPD Required Signage.
Quick answers
Does an all electric building need a smoke detector notice?
Yes. Smoke detector rules apply regardless of how the building is heated or how tenants cook.
Does an all electric building need CO alarms?
Not if there's no fossil fuel burning device, but an enclosed garage still requires CO alarms on nearby floors.
How do I get out of the natural gas detector rule?
If the building has no gas piping, claim the exemption with HPD online or on paper, with supporting documents.
Not sure what your building needs?
Send us your address and number of apartments. We will tell you exactly which signs to order.
General information based on the NYC HPD Required Signage page as of November 2026. Not legal advice. HPD Signs NYC is not affiliated with the City of New York or HPD. Prices may change. Check nyc.gov/hpd for the latest rules.