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WatchdogResale CO checklist

Ocean City

Cape May County, New Jersey · Checked September 30, 2026

Certificate of Occupancy Required

Zoning Compliance Certification (homes built after January 1, 1996 only) · City of Ocean City (requested on the same sale-of-property inspection application; Zoning Office)

  • Zoning compliance check at the in-person sale inspection, for homes built after January 1, 1996

Smoke and CO alarm certificate Required

  • Homes built before 1977: 10-year sealed battery smoke alarms on each level and outside each sleeping area
  • Built January 1977 to February 21, 1983: hardwired (120 volt) smoke alarms on each level and near each sleeping area (interconnection not required)
  • Built February 22, 1983 to April 30, 1993: hardwired multi-station smoke alarms on each level and near each sleeping area, interconnected
  • Built May 1, 1993 to present: hardwired interconnected smoke alarms with battery backup in all bedrooms, outside each sleeping area and on every level
  • CO alarms (UL 2034) near sleeping areas when there are fuel-burning devices or an attached garage
  • Portable fire extinguisher 2A-10B:C for the sale of 1-2 family units, on its bracket within 10 feet of the kitchen in the path of egress, top no more than 5 feet up (City requirements sheet dated February 2024, before P.L.2025, c.19)
  • Inspections are in person only; self-certifications are no longer accepted
  • Individually owned condo units in multifamily buildings also need the certificate

City of Ocean City Division of Fire Prevention (Municipal Code, Licensing and Fire Prevention, Knight Building)

Sale inspection, per unit, property built before 1996$50
Sale inspection, per unit, property built after 1996 (form also requires Zoning Compliance Certification for these homes)$100