South Amboy City

Middlesex County

Certificate of Occupancy

Required

Certificate

Certificate of Occupancy for Sale (resale certificate)

Issued by

City of South Amboy Building Department

Requirements

Full property maintenance inspection; the resale certificate is not issued unless the property is 100% compliant
Address numbers visible from the street; yard free of weeds and debris
Clear path to the electrical panel; all outlets, switches and junction boxes covered; no extension cords as permanent wiring
Combustibles at least 3 feet from furnace and water heater; access to the furnace room
Water heater with cold water shut-off and pressure relief valve with down spout; gas shut-off on gas heaters
Windows open easily and stay open; no cracked or broken glass; screens on door windows used for ventilation
Handrail on stairs more than 3 risers high; guardrails on open stairs, landings or balconies over 30 inches
Appliances and plumbing fixtures properly installed and working
Working smoke detector on each level including the basement; CO detector near all bedrooms
Work done without required permits must be permitted and all open permits finaled (fines up to $2,000 per week)
All utilities on at the time of inspection
Solid core door between garage and living area
Fire extinguisher (at least 2.5 lb.) mounted in the kitchen area (as printed on the City guideline sheet)

Phone

732-525-5927

Required

Requirements

City 'Fire Code' sheet (undated, in the CO for Sale packet): 10-year sealed battery smoke detector on each level including the basement, unless the home has original A/C powered single or multiple-station alarms
Smoke detectors in every separate sleeping area within 10 feet of each bedroom door; a loft or attic used as living space with 7 feet or more headroom often needs one
CO alarm near sleeping areas; combination smoke/CO units must be 10-year sealed battery units
Homes with a monitored alarm system: the owner must be able to give the alarm company name and silence and reset the alarm after the test
County Fire Marshal sheet: smoke alarms no older than 10 years; CO alarms no older than 5 years (or the maker's date); detector type depends on the year built (1990 and later: electric with battery backup, all interconnected, one in each bedroom); house numbers at least 4 inches; certificate valid 6 months
The same undated sheet lists fire extinguisher rules (2A-10B:C, 10 lb. or less, mounted within 10 feet of the kitchen, top no more than 5 feet above the floor, serviced or bought within 12 months); P.L.2025, c.19 removed the state extinguisher requirement, so confirm whether this still applies

Fees

Smoke/CO inspection, 10 or more business days before closing (County Fire Marshal schedule, posted on the South River Borough site)	$50.00
Smoke/CO inspection, less than 10 business days before closing (County Fire Marshal schedule, posted on the South River Borough site)	$75.00
Smoke/CO inspection, less than 4 business days before closing (County Fire Marshal schedule, posted on the South River Borough site)	$125.00
Reinspection after a failed inspection (County Fire Marshal schedule, posted on the South River Borough site)	$20.00
Not present for a scheduled inspection without notice (County Fire Marshal schedule, posted on the South River Borough site)	$75.00

Timing

Apply 10 or more business days before closing for the lowest County fee

Phone

732-316-7171

Last checked September 30, 2026

Sources