Englewood Cliffs Borough

Bergen County

Certificate of Occupancy

Required

Certificate

Certificate of Continued Occupancy (CCO), Residential Sale

Issued by

Borough of Englewood Cliffs Building Department (Construction Official)

Requirements

Inspection of the visible parts of the house for the Property Maintenance Code and Borough building, plumbing, electrical, health, safety and fire ordinances; violations must be corrected (14 days allowed after a notice)
Smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors tested and working at the inspection; signed smoke/CO affidavit (owner, tenant or NJ licensed electrician); smoke detectors over 10 years old and CO detectors over 5 years old replaced
Homes with 110V (hardwired) smoke or CO detection need a written report from a NJ licensed electrician or certified alarm company; existing low voltage alarm/smoke systems must work
Minimum size 10 type ABC fire extinguisher within 10 feet of the kitchen (form still lists it)
House number at least 3 inches (6 inches if the house is more than 50 feet from the curb), contrasting and visible from the street
Notarized owner affidavit that no sump pumps, storm drains or other devices are connected to the sewer line; notarized room count per floor
All building permits closed and all taxes, penalties and fees due to the Borough paid before closing
Unit doors opening to a corridor must be self-closing and self-latching where applicable
No one may occupy the home before approval from the Fire Inspector

Fees

CCO, resale (Borough Code 9-17.2)	$100
Expedite, request fewer than 4 business days before closing	$150
Second or later reinspection (Code)	$50
Re-inspection after a failed inspection (application form)	$125.00

Timing

Apply at least two weeks before closing. Requests received fewer than 4 business days before closing pay a $150.00 expedite fee.

Valid for

If the home is not occupied within six months of issuance, the certificate expires and a new one is needed.

Phone

201-569-5252

Required

Requirements

Smoke detectors by year built: pre-1977 battery units on each level and within 10 feet of sleeping areas; later homes 110V units (interconnected from 8/6/84; battery back-up and in each bedroom after 9/5/91)
Smoke detectors with a manufacture date over 10 years must be replaced; batteries changed at the time of inspection
Carbon monoxide detectors within 10 feet of all sleeping areas; CO detectors over 5 years old replaced
Hardwired (110V) systems need a written report from a NJ licensed electrician or certified alarm company; battery systems need a signed affidavit
Minimum size 10 type ABC fire extinguisher within 10 feet of the kitchen (form still lists it)

Last checked October 4, 2026

Sources