Oakland Borough

Bergen County

TextClient checklist

Certificate of Occupancy

Required
Certificate
Certificate of Approval for Occupancy (CAO), formerly called CCO
Issued by
Borough of Oakland Fire Prevention Bureau / Code Enforcement Department, with Board of Health, Building Department and Code Enforcement sign-offs
Requirements
  • Complete application (owner, buyer or realtor), with a secondary mailing address, phone and email for the buyer and phone and email for the seller
  • All open building permits and property maintenance violations must be closed before the CAO (and before a fire inspection can be set up)
  • Board of Health sign-off: septic reports, sewer information, well water reports; cesspools must be upgraded at realty transfer
  • Fire certificate (smoke alarms, CO alarms, fire extinguisher, house numbers)
  • Building inspection only if the fire inspector sees a construction code concern (for example water heater and boiler relief pipes within 6 inches of the floor, holes in garage ceiling, extension cords used as permanent wiring)
Fees
Certificate of Approval for Occupancy, sale of single or two family home (includes realtor sign fee and Board of Health review fee)$115
CAO extension, 30 days$30
Timing
Submit at least 30 days before closing; can be filed as soon as the house has a buyer
Valid for
The application is valid for 6 months from the application date; approvals expire 90 days from the signature date. After the fire certificate is issued the applicant has 90 days to complete the CAO ($30 for a 30-day extension).
Phone
201-337-8111 ext. 2025
ApplicationOfficial page

Smoke and CO alarm certificate

Required
Requirements
  • Smoke detectors on each level, including the basement, and within 10 feet of each separate sleeping area; hardwired or 10-year sealed battery; any detector older than 10 years must be replaced
  • Hardwired alarms from original construction stay hardwired (no battery-only replacement)
  • Carbon monoxide detectors within 10 feet of each separate sleeping area (battery, hardwired or plug-in, UL 2034)
  • Low voltage (monitored) alarm systems not part of original construction must have been tested in the year of sale with an NFPA 72 report
  • One fire extinguisher, 2A:10B:C, no more than 10 lbs, within 10 feet of the kitchen in the exit path, top no more than 5 feet above the floor, serviced and tagged in the past 12 months or with a recent purchase receipt (form still lists it)
  • House numbers in a contrasting color, 3 inches high, permanently affixed and clearly visible near the front door
  • All building permits and property maintenance violations closed before the fire inspection is scheduled

Oakland Fire Prevention Bureau

Fees
Fire certificate, sale of single or two family home$85
Expedite fee$50
Re-inspection fee$50
Timing
Apply at least 30 days before closing (same application as the CAO). An expedite fee is available. The office is open Monday to Friday, 8 am to 4 pm.
Phone
201-337-8111 ext. 2025
ApplicationOfficial page
Last checked October 4, 2026
Sources
  1. https://www.oakland-nj.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1122/Residential-Certificate-of-Approval-for-Occupancy-and-Fire-Certificate-Application-for-Resale
  2. https://www.oakland-nj.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1123/Residential-Certificate-of-Approval-for-Occupancy-and-Fire-Certificate-Informational-Packet-for-Resale
  3. https://www.oakland-nj.gov/1241/Certificate-of-Approval-for-Occupancy-an
  4. https://www.oakland-nj.gov/1246/Fire-Prevention
  5. https://ecode360.com/35188097

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