Certificate of Occupancy

How to Get a Certificate of Occupancy

1. Complete Construction and Required Systems
   Ensure the building and all required systems like building, plumbing, mechanical, electrical, fire protection, and gas, are completed to the point where they can be inspected before concealed.
2. Final Inspections
   Inspection staff conducts the final inspections of the building and all service systems.
3. Issuance of Certificate of Compliance
   Once plumbing, electrical, mechanical, fire protection, or gas is finished and passes inspection, the inspections staff issues a certificate of compliance. This certificate confirms that the work is complete. For some permits, it allows the system to be connected to utilities. It does not give permission to occupy or use the building.
4. Issuance of Certificate of Occupancy (CO)
   After satisfactory completion of the building and after all required inspections are passed, the inspection staff may issue a Certificate of Occupancy.
   A building cannot be occupied until the Certificate of Compliance has been issued.
5. Temporary or Partial Options (If Necessary)
   TCO/TCOC (Temporary Certificate of Occupancy/Temporary Certificate of Compliance)
   1. May be issued for specific portions of a building deemed safe for occupancy.
   2. Must be reapplied for every 30 days, for a maximum of 180 days.
   3. A new submittal is required after 180 days.
   4. If a TCO/TCOC exceeds 180 days with no action, the contractor is in violation, and utilities may be terminated.
   5. Not allowed for residential occupancies if dwelling unit work is incomplete.
6. PCO/PCOC (Partial Certificate of Occupancy / Compliance) 
   Can be issued to allow occupancy of portions of a building that are fully complete and will not require additional inspections.
7. Certificate of Occupancy
   Once all portions of the project meet code requirements and all inspections are fully released, the inspection staff may issue the final Certificate of Compliance, and the building can be fully occupied.

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