Mahwah Township

Bergen County

TextClient checklist

Certificate of Occupancy

Required
Certificate
Certificate of Continued Occupancy (CCO), residential, selling a home
Issued by
Township of Mahwah Building Department (Construction Code Official)
Requirements
  • Required for one- and two-family dwellings before the property is listed, and on transfer of title (homes with 3 or more units are exempt)
  • Visual inspection by the Construction Code Official, who may call in subcode officials, the Water Department and the Department of Health
  • Inspection covers items such as pools, electric fixtures and wiring, plumbing fixtures and water heaters, heating and ventilation, the building exterior and other hazards
  • Any additions or construction done without permits must have permit fees paid before the CCO is issued
  • Separate smoke/CO certificate from Fire Prevention (not part of the CCO inspection)
  • Exempt transfers include deed corrections, transfers between spouses, parent and child or grandparent and grandchild, estate distributions, new construction and quitclaim deeds to quiet title
Fees
Certificate of Continued Occupancy, residential (selling a home)$175
Timing
The code says CCOs are issued or denied within 10 days of filing the application. The code also requires the CCO before the property is listed.
Valid for
One year from the date of issuance, provided there is no material change in the physical status of the premises
Phone
201-529-5757
Official page

Smoke and CO alarm certificate

Required
Requirements
  • Smoke detector on each level including basements (not attics or crawl spaces), and smoke and CO alarm outside each separate sleeping area within 10 feet of bedrooms
  • Homes built before January 1, 1977 may use 10-year lithium sealed battery smoke detectors; homes built on or after that date need hardwired detectors as originally required
  • The Township asks that hardwired detectors with removable batteries and detectors older than 10 years be replaced with hardwired 10-year sealed battery backup units; CO detectors replaced with 10-year sealed battery units
  • Low voltage monitored fire alarm systems must stay monitored and a copy of the alarm report must be included with the affidavit
  • Signed affidavit (Application and Certification) returned with the fee before the inspection
  • Portable fire extinguisher no longer required as of February 15, 2025 (the packet's form title still lists it)

Township of Mahwah Fire Prevention Bureau (Department of Fire Prevention)

Fees
Certificate of Smoke Alarm and Carbon Monoxide Alarm Compliance$90
Timing
Contact the office or stop in to schedule once the application and affidavit are complete. If the change of occupant does not happen within 6 months, a new application is needed.
Phone
201-529-5757 ext. 275
ApplicationOfficial page
Last checked October 4, 2026
Sources
  1. https://ecode360.com/49703411
  2. https://ecode360.com/34810206
  3. https://www.mahwahtwp.org/157/Fire-Prevention
  4. https://www.mahwahtwp.org/159/Construction-Office-Department-of-Inspec

Other towns in Bergen County

Look up any New Jersey property on Watchdog

Found this helpful? Show appreciation with a tip on Venmo

Add CO Requirements