Who provides the Certificate of Occupancy (CO) for a building?

The Certificate of Occupancy (CO) is an essential document that signifies a building's compliance with applicable building codes, zoning laws, and other regulations. It is provided by the local building department, which is responsible for ensuring that all constructions meet safety standards and are suitable for occupancy.

When a building is completed or undergoing significant renovations, the local building department conducts inspections to verify that the construction meets the necessary regulations and safety standards. Once these checks are successfully passed, the building department issues the Certificate of Occupancy, allowing the property to be legally occupied.

The involvement of the local building department is crucial, as they are the authority responsible for enforcing building codes and inspecting properties. Other entities, such as the city council or zoning board, deal primarily with legislative and zoning matters but do not issue Certificates of Occupancy. Home inspectors, while providing valuable assessments of a property’s condition, are not involved in the official issuance of occupancy permits. This delineation highlights the specific role that the local building department plays in ensuring safe and compliant building practices.