What is a Certificate of Occupancy? (C.O.)

A C.O. is a document approving a location to be ready for business. The C.O. contains information concerning the owner or tenant’s name, business name, address of the building, a description of the portions of the building and the use intended, building code verifications for the group and classification of the building or structure, and approval of the Building Official.

When is a C.O. required?

• When a new building is constructed and occupied; 
• If an existing building or lease space is remodeled, enlarged, or altered;
• When any new use, tenant, or occupant is established; 
• When any use, tenant, or occupant of any tenant or lease space is changed; 
• When any tenant name or ownership is changed; 
• If there is a change in use which would place the building or lease space in a different occupancy classification (group and/or division) as referenced in the International Building Code.

Why is a C.O. needed?

• When the building is new, the C.O. verifies that it conforms to the most current life safety standards.
• When the building is existing, has an ownership change, tenant change, or change in building use, a new C.O. is required to provide that the building is still safe to occupy.
• The Fire Department uses the C.O. information to help identify potential hazards that may be encountered while responding to emergency calls.
• Utilities will be released in the new tenant's name.
• The Post Office requires a current C.O. before mail will be delivered.

What should be done with a C.O. once it is obtained?

• The C.O. is required to be posted in a conspicuous place on the premises and should not be removed except by the Building Official.
• The C.O. must also be taken to the post office to start mail delivery.

How is a C.O. obtained?

• A C.O. is generated upon completion of the final building inspection. The owner or tenant must apply for a permit which generates a C.O. through the CityServe Portal and pay the application fee.
• A Plans Examiner will check the information supplied by the applicant, verify the zoning requirements and update the City's records. The applicant will be called to schedule a day for  a Building Inspector to come to the site for an inspection. Upon successful completion of the building final inspection, the Building Official will issue the C.O.
• C.O.s are generated from C.O. applications, renovation/remodel (finish-out) applications, and new commercial (ground-up) applications.