Demarest Borough

Certificate of Occupancy Required

Rental/Resale Certificate (certificate of occupancy on resale, also called continued certificate of occupancy) · Borough of Demarest Building Department (Construction Official)

• Complete the Rental/Resale Certificate application, pay the fees and have the home inspected before any change in occupancy
• Building inspection: no visible safety problems (such as missing hand or guard rails), no illegal work done without permits, and no illegal conversions (for example one family to two family)
• Fire inspection of smoke and carbon monoxide detectors is done as part of the same application (see fire certificate)
• Sump pumps must discharge onto the property or the street, not into the Borough sewer
• Common fail items on the Borough checklist: handrail on stairs with 4 or more risers, enclosed stair risers, working bedroom windows, house numbers 4 to 6 inches, visible hydrant, secondary power source warning label at the electric panel and meter, neat property, stove tip bracket, even walkways
• The applicant must arrange removal of all household materials and garbage
• The Borough advises the realtor be present for all inspections

• Phone: 201-768-3398
• Timing: The Borough says the process takes about 4 to 6 weeks, so allow ample time. The code says the certificate may be issued up to two weeks before the closing.
• Application: https://www.demarestnj.gov/government/forms/construction/1942-rental-resale-certificate-application/file

Smoke and CO alarm certificate Required

• Smoke detector on each level, including walk-up attic and basement (basement detector on the ceiling at the foot of the stairs)
• Smoke detector on the ceiling within 10 feet of each sleeping area, in a common area, not inside bedrooms; extra detectors if bedrooms are in a separate area
• Battery-only smoke detectors must be 10-year sealed battery units listed to ANSI/UL 217; hardwired (110V) detectors may not be replaced with battery units
• Carbon monoxide detector within 10 feet of any sleeping area (not inside bedrooms); battery operated is allowed