Rutherford Borough

Certificate of Occupancy Required

Residential Certificate of Zoning Compliance (CZC), previously called Certificate of Occupancy · Borough of Rutherford Construction Official (Building and Zoning Department)

• 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

• Phone: 201-460-3042
• 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.
• Application: https://www.rutherfordboronj.com/government/forms/construction/1180-residential-certificate-of-zoning-compliance-application-including-transfer-of-title/file

Smoke and CO alarm certificate Required

• 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