Oakland Borough

Certificate of Occupancy Required

Certificate of Approval for Occupancy (CAO), formerly called CCO · Borough of Oakland Fire Prevention Bureau / Code Enforcement Department, with Board of Health, Building Department and Code Enforcement sign-offs

• 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)

• Phone: 201-337-8111 ext. 2025
• Timing: Submit at least 30 days before closing; can be filed as soon as the house has a buyer
• Good 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).
• Application: https://www.oakland-nj.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1122/Residential-Certificate-of-Approval-for-Occupancy-and-Fire-Certificate-Application-for-Resale

Smoke and CO alarm certificate Required

• 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