Englewood Cliffs Borough

Certificate of Occupancy Required

Certificate of Continued Occupancy (CCO), Residential Sale · Borough of Englewood Cliffs Building Department (Construction Official)

• 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

• Phone: 201-569-5252
• Timing: Apply at least two weeks before closing. Requests received fewer than 4 business days before closing pay a $150.00 expedite fee.
• Good for: If the home is not occupied within six months of issuance, the certificate expires and a new one is needed.
• Application: https://englewoodcliffsnj.org/Documents/Departments/Building/Application-for-Certificate-of-Continured-Occupancy-Residential-Sale.pdf

Smoke and CO alarm certificate Required

• 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)