What is a certificate of occupancy in New Jersey?
Under the State Uniform Construction Code, a new building may not be used or occupied until the construction official issues a certificate of occupancy.
Changing the use of a building, or part of one, requires a certificate of occupancy first.
What is a certificate of continued occupancy in New Jersey?
For an existing building, the construction official issues a certificate of continued occupancy on the owner's request, if no violations of law or orders of the construction official are pending. A certificate of continued occupancy shows only that a general inspection of the visible parts of the building was made.
What certificate does New Jersey require before a one- or two-family home is sold or rented?
Where no town certificate ordinance applies, the owner of a home used by not more than two households may not sell, lease or otherwise let it be occupied for residential purposes without first getting a certificate of compliance with the smoke alarm law from the fire enforcing agency.
For a home in a building with fewer than three dwelling units, the town's certificate or the fire enforcing agency's certificate requires a carbon monoxide alarm, or a finding that there is no potential carbon monoxide hazard.
- Carbon monoxide alarmUL Standard 2034 or its equivalent
The certificate fee is set by the town's governing body, or by the Commissioner of Community Affairs where DCA's Division of Fire Safety is the enforcing agency, to cover the cost of inspection and of issuing the certificate.
Do New Jersey towns require their own resale or rental certificate?
Where a town ordinance requires its own certificate of occupancy or inspection on a change of occupancy, the town may not issue it until it finds the building has the required smoke alarms. Camden requires a Certificate of Continued Occupancy (CCO) to be applied for and issued before any property in the city is sold or conveyed.
| Town | What's required | When | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| State default | Smoke alarm and CO alarm certificate | Before a sale, lease or change of occupancy | — |
| Camden | Certificate of Continued Occupancy | Before any sale or conveyance | $200, plus a $64 Fire Safety fee |
| Camden | Rental Approval Certificate | Before occupancy, for each new tenant | $100 for a single-family home |
| Jersey City | No new certificate of occupancy on a sale | On buying and selling | — |
- Camden: closing without a CCOPenalties up to $2,000
In Camden, a buyer who closes title without a CCO remains liable for all penalties, of up to $2,000, until one is issued. Camden will not issue a CCO until all open building permits are closed.
What lead paint inspection do New Jersey rentals need?
New Jersey's lead paint law requires covered rental dwelling units to be inspected for lead-based paint hazards every three years or at tenant turnover, whichever is earlier; no turnover inspection is needed if the owner has a valid lead-safe certification.
- InspectionEvery 3 years or at tenant turnover
- Built 1978 or laterExempt
- Lead-safe certificate valid3 years
- Penalty after 30 days uncuredUp to $1,000 a week
The lead law calls for rules on giving all prospective owners of pre-1978 dwellings information about its requirements during the real estate transaction, settlement, or closing.
In Jersey City, owners of rentals covered by the lead law must give the Housing Preservation Division a copy of a valid lead-safe certificate, and inspections are required every three years or at tenant turnover.