Cape May City

Cape May County

TextClient checklist

Certificate of Occupancy

Required
Certificate
Certificate of Zoning Compliance (transfer of title)
Issued by
Construction & Zoning Office (Zoning Officer)
Requirements
  • Zoning compliance review of the property's use and number of units before transfer of title
Fees
Certificate of Zoning Compliance application$85.00
Phone
609-884-9556
ApplicationOfficial page

Smoke and CO alarm certificate

Required
Requirements
  • Sale of Property Form (created March 2025) still names the certificate as covering a portable fire extinguisher, but the Bureau's web page says fire extinguishers are no longer required in one- or two-family dwellings for sales or rentals; if one is kept it must be maintained (approved hanger, serviced within 12 months)
  • Smoke alarms no older than 10 years; battery-only smoke alarms must be the 10-year sealed battery type (listed on the Bureau page as top rental violations)
  • Carbon monoxide alarm near sleeping areas and on every level when there are fuel-burning appliances, an attached garage or a fireplace

City of Cape May Bureau of Fire Prevention

Fees
Smoke/CO certificate (1-2 family), application received more than 10 business days from settlement$150
Smoke/CO certificate (1-2 family), application received 4 to 10 business days from settlement$250
Smoke/CO certificate (1-2 family), application received fewer than 4 business days from settlement$375
Timing
Apply more than 10 business days before settlement for the lowest fee
Phone
609-884-9587
ApplicationOfficial page
Last checked September 30, 2026
Sources
  1. https://evocloud-prod3-public.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/3/media/734.pdf
  2. https://www.capemaycity.com/forms-center
  3. https://www.capemaycity.com/departments/ConstructionZoning

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