Rutherford Borough

Bergen County

Text Client checklist

Certificate of Occupancy

Required

Certificate

Residential Certificate of Zoning Compliance (CZC), previously called Certificate of Occupancy

Issued by

Borough of Rutherford Construction Official (Building and Zoning Department)

Requirements

Open or outstanding permits must have final inspections and be closed before the CZC inspection is scheduled
Street numbers at least 3 inches high with a 1/2 inch stroke, visible from the street
Garages, fences, sheds and walls in good repair; sidewalks, stairs, driveways and walkways free of hazards
Attached garage fire rating maintained, holes patched, and a listed self-closing device on any door into the house
No sump pump may discharge to the sewer
Pressure relief discharge pipe on heating units and water heaters, full size, ending no more than 6 inches off the floor
Clearances around fuel burning appliances; roof sound and leaders discharging away from the foundation
Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms (checked during the CZC inspection; see fire certificate)
Transfer of Title Certificate instead of a CZC only if the home will not be occupied after purchase, with a letter from the buyer's attorney

Fees

Residential Certificate of Zoning Compliance (1 or 2 family, condo, co-op)	$100
Certificate of occupancy for resale, R-2, R-3, R-4 and R-5 uses (Code Section 22-6A(1)(a))	$100 per dwelling unit

Timing

Inspections are scheduled after the form is received; the certificate is issued no sooner than 48 hours after all inspections pass (the form says 24 hours). The CZC inspection is not scheduled until all open permits are closed.

Phone

201-460-3042

Application Official page

Smoke and CO alarm certificate

Required

Requirements

Smoke alarms on each level and outside/in the vicinity of each separate sleeping area, per NFPA 72 (interconnection not required)
Ten-year sealed battery smoke alarms listed to ANSI/UL 217; hardwired alarms from original construction or rehabilitation may not be replaced with battery alarms
Carbon monoxide alarms within 10 feet of the sleeping areas in homes with a fuel burning device or attached garage (battery, hardwired or plug-in, UL 2034, NFPA 720)
Ten-year sealed battery combination smoke and CO alarms are permitted

Borough of Rutherford Building and Zoning Department (smoke/CO checked during the Certificate of Zoning Compliance inspection); fire code enforcing agency: Rutherford Bureau of Fire Safety

Timing: Same as the Certificate of Zoning Compliance: certificate issued no sooner than 48 hours after all inspections pass.
Phone: 201-460-3011

Application Official page

Last checked October 4, 2026

Sources

Other towns in Bergen County

Look up any New Jersey property on Watchdog

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