Resale CO checklist
Sayreville Borough
Middlesex County, New Jersey · Checked September 30, 2026
Certificate of Occupancy Required
Certificate of Resale Compliance (Certificate of Residential Resale Compliance) · Department of Code Enforcement and Zoning, 49 Dolan Street
- Working smoke and CO alarms on every level and within 10 feet of sleeping areas (smoke: 10-year sealed or hardwired interconnected; CO under 7 years old; UL/ETL listed)
- Exit doors open from inside without a key (no double-keyed deadbolts)
- Handrail or guard on stairs with 3 or more steps or open sides over 30 inches
- House numbers visible from the street and at least 4 inches tall
- Walls, ceilings, floors, windows, doors and screens in good repair
- Outlets, switches and boxes working with cover plates; no extension cords in place of permanent wiring
- Bathroom window or exhaust fan; hot water at least 110 F; no leaks
- Stove anti-tip device; only one kitchen in a single-family home
- Basement, attic or garage bedrooms must meet habitable space rules (egress windows, two exits) or the inspection fails
- Water heater, furnace, boiler and vents safe and working
- Electric panel covered; secondary power source warning labels if the home has solar or a generator
- All required permits for replaced appliances, systems and improvements obtained and closed by a licensed contractor ('as-is' sales are not exempt)
- Roof, gutters, foundation, fireplace and chimney in good repair; yard clean and maintained
- Pool over 18 inches deep fenced at least 48 inches high with self-closing, self-latching gate
- Water curb stop must work; open permits and code issues resolved before the certificate is issued
| Resale inspection scheduled more than 10 business days before closing | $100.00 |
| Resale inspection scheduled 4 to 10 business days before closing | $150.00 |
| First reinspection when inspection was scheduled 4 to 10 business days before closing | $75.00 |
| Resale inspection scheduled less than 4 business days before closing | $200.00 |
| First reinspection when inspection was scheduled less than 4 business days before closing | $100.00 |
| Each additional reinspection after a denial | $150.00 |
| 'AS IS' letter in lieu of the certificate (at the Director's discretion) | $300.00 |
Smoke and CO alarm certificate Required
- Standalone battery smoke alarms must be 10-year sealed units; smoke alarms must be less than 10 years old
- Hardwired or interconnected alarms kept as installed; wireless interconnected alarms do not replace hardwired systems; repairs may need a licensed electrician
- Alarms on every finished level, in basements (near the stairs), in finished attics, and outside each sleeping area within 10 feet of bedroom doors
- CO alarms within 10 feet of all sleeping areas and less than 7 years old (or as the maker requires)
- All alarms must carry a UL, ETL or equal testing-lab label; security-system detectors do not count
- Fresh batteries in any alarm that uses replaceable batteries
- 'CAUTION: MULTIPLE SOURCES OF POWER' printed label within 18 inches of the main panel and meter for homes with solar, battery storage or generators
- Portable fire extinguishers are no longer required (effective February 3, 2025)
Sayreville Bureau of Fire Prevention (Fire Official)
| Smoke/CO certificate, inspection scheduled more than 10 business days before closing | $50.00 |
| Smoke/CO certificate, inspection scheduled 4 to 10 business days before closing ($75.00) | 75.00 |
| Smoke/CO certificate, inspection less than 4 business days before closing ($125.00) | 125.00 |
| Reinspection (missing, outdated or non-working equipment, or no one present) or cancellation with less than 24 hours notice | $50.00 |
