How Far Should a Generator Be From the House? Safe Distance Rules

Run a portable generator outdoors at least 20 feet from your house, with the exhaust pointed away from windows, doors, and vents. That is the guidance from the CPSC, Ready.gov, and the CDC. Never run it in a garage, basement, shed, crawlspace, carport, or on a porch, even with the doors open. The CPSC says an average of nearly 100 people die in the U.S. each year from carbon monoxide poisoning caused by portable generators.

What the safety agencies say

Sources: CPSC news releases (February and May 2026); Ready.gov Power Outages; CDC generator fact sheet; OSHA fact sheet "Using Portable Generators Safely."

Is 20 feet always enough?

Not always. A 2009 study by the National Institute of Standards and Technology modeled carbon monoxide around a house and found that a generator 15 feet from open windows was not far enough to keep CO out. NIST said users may need to keep generators farther away, perhaps as much as 25 feet, and that slow, still wind was the worst case because CO lingered by the windows.

The same NIST release cites CDC data that up to half of the nonfatal CO poisonings in the 2004 and 2005 hurricane seasons involved generators run within 7 feet of the home. Treat 20 feet as a minimum, close nearby windows, and watch the wind direction.

Where to put a generator

• Outdoors, on a dry, level surface, at least 20 feet from the house and from your neighbor's house.
• Exhaust pointed away from windows, doors, vents, and air intakes.
• Close windows and seal off vents near the generator or in the path of its exhaust, as the CPSC advises.
• Keep it clear. OSHA calls for 3 to 4 feet of open space on all sides and above it. DuroMax's XP9500iH manual also says to keep it at least 5 feet from any flammable material.
• Keep it dry. Read Can You Run a Generator in the Rain?

Never run a generator in these places

The CPSC lists a home, garage, basement, crawlspace, shed, and porch, and its 2026 release adds carports. The DuroMax manuals say never to use one inside a home or garage, even if doors and windows are open.

Carbon monoxide shutoff and CO alarms

• Generators with CO shutoff. The CPSC says generators certified to the latest PGMA G300-2023 and UL 2201-2023 standards include CO safety technology, and UL 2201 models also have reduced CO emissions. DuroMax's CO alert generators shut the engine down when they detect high CO; per the XP13000EH manual, the indicator lights red and the engine will not restart for 5 minutes.
• CO alarms in the house. Ready.gov recommends battery-backed CO detectors on every level of your home. The CDC says to put them near every sleeping area.
• Know the symptoms. The CDC lists headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion. Get to fresh air and call 911.

Use a long enough cord

The CDC recommends an extension cord more than 20 feet long so the generator can stay at a safe distance. Heavier gauge cords handle more power over long runs. For hard-wired circuits, a power inlet box on the outside wall plus a generator cord lets you keep the generator out in the yard.

• DuroMax XPC12050C 12 gauge 50 ft triple tap extension cord: $69.99
• DuroMax XPC10050C 10 gauge 50 ft triple tap extension cord: $95
• DuroMax XP3050GC 30 amp 240V 50 ft generator cord: L14-30 for a power inlet box. $149.99
• Nature's Generator 30A power inlet box: $29.99

For hookup options, read How to Hook Up a Generator to Your House.

Generators with CO shutdown

• DuroMax XP5500HX: 5,500 starting / 4,500 running watts, CO alert shutdown. $629
• DuroMax XP13000HX: 13,000 watt dual fuel with CO alert. $1,399

Prefer no exhaust at all? A battery power station like the Jackery HomePower 3000 ($1,499) has no engine and no carbon monoxide. Browse portable generators.

Questions about placement? Call 1-888-855-7286. We can help you plan cord length, an inlet box, and a safe spot for your generator.

Generator distance FAQ

How far should a generator be from the house? At least 20 feet, with the exhaust pointed away from windows, doors, and vents, per the CPSC, Ready.gov, and CDC.

Can I run a generator in my garage with the door open? No. The CPSC, CDC, and DuroMax all say never to run one in a garage, even with doors open.

Can I run a generator on my porch or in a carport? No. The CPSC specifically says not to.

Is 10 feet far enough for a generator? No. NIST found even 15 feet from open windows was not enough in its modeled house.

How long should my generator cord be? More than 20 feet, per the CDC, so the generator can stay a safe distance away.

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