South Plainfield Borough
Certificate of Occupancy
Required- Certificate
- Certificate of Municipal Compliance (Residential Resale or Tenant), for smoke and CO detectors and Certificate of Occupancy
- Issued by
- Borough of South Plainfield Building Department
- Requirements
- Smoke detectors on each habitable level, on or within 6 inches of the ceiling (not in corners), and within 10 feet of the farthest bedroom door
- 10-year sealed battery smoke detectors; homes built after 1977 with AC or interwired detectors must keep that type; smoke detectors expire after 10 years
- CO detectors near all bedrooms, no more than 10 feet from the farthest bedroom door (not inside a bedroom unless there is also one in the hall)
- Alarm systems need annunciators within 10 feet of bedrooms and on each level; notify the alarm company before the test
- 2A-10B:C fire extinguisher, 10 lb. or less, within 10 feet of the kitchen in the path of egress, mounted with the maker's bracket, top no more than 5 feet above the floor (as printed on the June 2023 form)
- Sump pump area open for inspection; sump pumps must not discharge into the sanitary sewer
- Water heater/boiler discharge valve and any fire sprinkler system are checked
- All open permits closed before the inspection; work found done without permits (pools, spas, decks, sheds, garage conversions, basement work, wood stoves, furnace or water heater replacement, central A/C, oil to gas, tank removal) carries a minimum $250 penalty
- House Evaluation form: finished basement, A/C, furnace or boiler, generator, sump pump, water heater, deck, shed, pool and radon system (original or replaced)
- Inspection may be refused if the property has health or safety issues; corrective action falls on the seller
- Fees
1- to 4-family home or townhouse, per unit $65.00 Condominium or multi-family, per unit $50.00 1- to 4-family home or townhouse at a special time, per unit $125.00 Condominium or multi-family at a special time, per unit $100.00 Reprint of an issued certificate $25.00 First reinspection for a failed or missed inspection, per unit $35.00 Second reinspection for a failed or missed inspection (same as the first inspection fee) $50.00 to $125.00 per unit - Timing
- Certificates are generated within 2 business days after the inspection; do not schedule the closing until the certificate is issued and all open permits and violations are cleared
- Phone
- 908-226-7645
Smoke and CO alarm certificate
Required- Requirements
- Smoke detectors on each habitable level and within 10 feet of the farthest bedroom door; 10-year sealed battery units unless the home has AC or interwired detectors (homes built after 1977 must keep that type); detectors expire after 10 years
- CO detectors within 10 feet of the farthest bedroom door
- Alarm system annunciators within 10 feet of bedrooms and on each level
- The June 2023 form still requires a 2A-10B:C extinguisher (10 lb. or less, within 10 feet of the kitchen, mounted, top no higher than 5 feet); P.L.2025, c.19 removed the state extinguisher requirement, so confirm with the Building Department
Last checked September 30, 2026
Sources
- https://www.southplainfieldnj.com/spnj/Departments/Departments/Building%20Department/Forms/Permit%20Applications%20%26%20Forms/Certificate%20of%20Municipal%20Compliance%20%28Residential%20Resale%20or%20Tenant%29%2002-25-2025.pdf
- https://www.southplainfieldnj.com/spnj/Departments/Departments/Building%20Department/
- https://www.southplainfieldnj.com/spnj/Departments/Departments/Construction%20Officer/
- https://www.southplainfieldnj.com/spnj/Departments/Departments/Building%20Department/Forms/Smoke%20Detector%20Information.pdf
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