Certificate of Occupancy

Certification that a building complies with codes and is safe for occupancy

Category: Zoning
Jurisdiction Level: Municipal (City / Village / Town)

Also known as: Certificate of Occupancy, COO, CO, Occupancy Permit, Certificate of Use, Use and Occupancy Certificate, Temporary Certificate of Occupancy, TCO

• Completed application form
• Filing fee payment
• Property owner authorization
• Site plan or project drawings
• Legal description of property
• Survey or plat
• Written narrative explaining the request
• Neighbor notification list (within specified radius)

Requirements vary by jurisdiction. Check with your local building or planning department for exact requirements.

1. Pre-application conference with planning staff (recommended)
2. Prepare application materials including site plans and narratives
3. Submit the application with required fees
4. Staff reviews for completeness and compliance
5. Public notice published and neighbors notified (if required)
6. Public hearing before the applicable board or commission
7. Board deliberation and decision
8. Receive written decision with any conditions of approval

1 - 14 days from submission to approval

Timelines are estimates based on typical municipal processing. Actual times depend on application completeness, department workload, and project complexity.

$50 - $500

Fees vary by jurisdiction and project scope. Some municipalities charge additional plan review, technology, or inspection fees.