The appearance of legitimate certificates differs from one city to the next. Can My Landlord Be in Trouble if He Has No Certification of Occupancy for a Tenant? A certificate of occupancy is a document issued by a local government agency or building department certifying a building's compliance with applicable building codes and other laws, and indicating it to be in a condition suitable for occupancy.. Properties located inside city limits must adhere to building codes regulated by the buildings department, but the name of this department varies from place to place. Click “Add to Cart”. If a renter is unable to determine where to go for this information, the staff at the City Hall or the clerk’s office at the nearest courthouse should be able to help locate the proper department. You bought an investment property and you're converting it from commercial to residential use. Certificate of Occupancy must be obtained from the building department for new construction, additions, or change of use. If your local government requires certificates of occupancy, you won't be able to use or let people into your building until you receive your certificate. Governments issue certificates not only when builders complete new projects, but also when existing structures undergo changes or when the purpose of those buildings change. It's important to build some slack time into your plans, just in case you don't get the certificate of occupancy after the first inspection. A green tag signifying compliance with certain code requirements will be given to projects that do not require a new certificate of occupancy. Copyright 2020 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. Obtaining Duplicate or Revised Occupancy Permits/Certificates . HOW TO PRINT A CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY As soon as a CO is issued, a copy may be printed from the Internet Permit and Inspection System. After Approval. This process starts well before the final inspection, covering all the aspects of permitting: You or your contractor will submit plans and possibly have to modify them or appeal city decisions to higher authorities. The Municipality or City Council issues an occupancy certificate as part of an essential chain of events and compliance issues. However, the certificate might have a different name. The building must match the plans you submitted to the city. What Steps Are Required to Obtain a Certificate of Occupancy? Inspections. A certificate of occupancy says a building – a home, a business office, a factory, an investment property – is safe to occupy. An existing use increases or decreases floor area. A link to the document will be visible on the right side of the page. That's an iron-clad rule whether you need a certificate of occupancy in NYC or in tiny Destin, Florida. A waiting period and a fee are often applicable when obtaining local government records. You're buying an existing building but it's been heavily renovated. How to Get a Certificate of Occupancy You must work with state or local government to acquire a CO. After the building permit issues and when work is … The local government's building or code inspection office will send out an inspector as part of the building approval process. In New York City, it’s called the “NYC Buildings and Safety Department.” In Detroit, it’s the “Buildings, Safety Engineering and Environmental Department.”. A change of use of land or a building. In many areas, the penalty for no certificate of occupancy for a rental property includes nonpayment of rent until the landlord receives a certificate. The purpose of obtaining the said permit is to confirm that the house or building is in a suitable living condition considering its compliance to the provisions of the … The building must match the plans you submitted to the city. The city or county inspector’s office can confirm whether a certificate is genuine or not. Landlords in Boulder, Colorado, on the other hand, have no exceptions. To get a certificate of occupancy in NYC, you have to complete construction, then arrange for a final inspection. Legal Beagle: Can My Landlord Be in Trouble if He Has No Certification of Occupancy for a Tenant? The appropriate codes are often regulated by a department called the “Building Authority.” This information sometimes appears on city or county websites, which is where renters can find a certificate of occupancy document. Sometimes, these details are available online and bundled with other real estate information controlled by the County Assessor’s office. They must have a valid certificate, referred to as a “rental license,” for every property they lease. Click “Checkout” to pay fees (Credit or Debit Card payments only) Click “Print/View Receipt”. Sometimes, the fee is minimal to cover only the cost of copies; other times, it’s higher because of the help required in obtaining the documents. Click on “View Certificates of Occupancy” to view an existing CO. For pending COs, click on “Jobs/Filings” near the bottom of the page. Is your proposed building compatible with the site's zoning? You've finished and submitted all the necessary paperwork and paid whatever fees are required.