Certificate Of Occupancy

A certificate of occupancy (CO) is a document from your local building department confirming that a structure meets all codes and is safe to live in — and without one, you might not be able to close on or legally occupy the home.

When It’s Required

A CO is required for new construction, when converting a building’s use (commercial to residential, single-family to multi-family), and after major renovations in many jurisdictions. Some municipalities require a new CO whenever a property changes ownership. Others only require one for new builds and conversions.

The CO is issued after a final inspection confirms that all permitted work meets building codes, fire safety requirements, zoning regulations, and health standards. No final inspection, no CO. No CO, no legal occupancy.

What Can Go Wrong

If you’re buying new construction, your lender won’t fund the mortgage without a CO. If the builder can’t pass final inspection — failed fire separation, incorrect egress windows, faulty electrical — closing gets delayed until issues are resolved. On existing homes, unpermitted additions or conversions might not have a CO, which creates problems at resale.

A temporary certificate of occupancy (TCO) lets you occupy the space while minor punch list items are completed, usually valid for 90 days with extensions available. But a TCO isn’t a permanent solution — outstanding items must be resolved to get the permanent CO.

Checking CO Status

Before buying, ask the seller for a copy of the CO or check with the local building department. If the home has additions or conversions without a CO, that’s unpermitted work — and you’re inheriting the compliance burden. The buying guide covers what to look for during due diligence so you don’t end up with a code enforcement headache after closing.