Emerson Borough

Bergen County

TextClient checklist

Certificate of Occupancy

Required
Certificate
Residential Transfer of Ownership Certificate (Certificate of Continued Occupancy, CCO)
Issued by
Borough of Emerson Building Department, with the Fire Prevention Bureau doing the smoke/CO part
Requirements
  • Combined application for the transfer of ownership certificate and the smoke alarm / carbon monoxide alarm / fire extinguisher inspection (one form, two checks)
  • Homeowner checklist used at the CCO inspection: smoke alarms on each level and within 10 feet of bedrooms, CO alarms near bedrooms, fire extinguisher mounted in the kitchen (form still lists it)
  • In-ground oil tanks must have certification
  • Sump pump must drain to the exterior, not into the waste line
  • Monitored fire alarms need a certification from the monitoring company and police registration
  • Garage door openers on a dedicated outlet; keyless deadbolt on the inside of the front door; working GFI outlets in the kitchen; dryer vented outside
  • Bedroom windows must operate and be the correct size for egress; house number visible from the street; hydrant on the property kept visible
  • Pool barrier in good repair with self-closing, self-latching gates; property neat and clean; secure flue connections at boiler, furnace and water heater
Fees
Certificate of Continued Occupancy (CCO) for a residential transfer, check to Borough of Emerson$105
Certificate of continued occupancy, UCC applicant requested, general visual inspection (Code Section 132-3)$125 per subcode
Reinspection after a failed inspection$45.00
Timing
The Borough recommends applying 3 to 4 weeks before the closing date
Phone
201-262-6086 ext. 1214
ApplicationOfficial page

Smoke and CO alarm certificate

Required
Requirements
  • Smoke alarms on every level (basement, first floor, second floor), excluding crawl spaces and unfinished attics, and outside each separate sleeping area within 10 feet of bedrooms
  • All battery-operated smoke alarms must be 10-year sealed battery units
  • Carbon monoxide alarms within 10 feet of bedroom areas in the hallway, permanently mounted or plug-in
  • Portable fire extinguisher, at least 2A:10B:C and no more than 10 pounds, mounted within 10 feet of the kitchen in the exit path, top no more than 5 feet above the floor, serviced and tagged by a state-certified contractor in the past 12 months or with a recent purchase receipt (form still lists it)

Emerson Fire Prevention Bureau

Fees
Smoke and CO alarm inspection scheduled 10 days or more from paperwork submittal$45
Smoke and CO alarm inspection scheduled more than 4 but less than 10 days from paperwork submittal (Code Section 150-7F)$90
Smoke and CO alarm inspection scheduled 4 days or less from paperwork submittal$161
Each additional inspection after a failed inspection$45
Smoke/CO fee as printed on the transfer form, less than 10 days (form amount)$95
Timing
Fee depends on how far ahead the inspection is scheduled from when the paperwork is submitted: 10 days or more for the lowest fee. The Borough recommends submitting 3 to 4 weeks before closing.
Phone
201-927-3262
ApplicationOfficial page
Last checked October 4, 2026
Sources
  1. https://emersonnj.gov/vertical/sites/%7B3CE7C79E-1CDE-42D4-BE99-DEDBCE95F9A4%7D/uploads/Residential_Transfer_Form.pdf
  2. https://ecode360.com/11485696
  3. https://ecode360.com/11485664
  4. https://emersonnj.gov/index.asp?SEC=CAE99956-793B-48C6-930F-762AC417DF10

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