South River Borough

Middlesex County

Certificate of Occupancy

Required

Certificate

Residential Resale Certificate (Certificate of Continued Occupancy)

Issued by

Code Enforcement / Property Maintenance, 48 Washington Street

Requirements

Smoke/CO detector certificate from the fire prevention office provided before or by the inspection date
Electric, water and gas on; house numbers at least 4 inches with contrasting background
Metal dryer exhaust pipe with no screws; chimney certification for any fireplace or wood stove
Secure handrails and guards on stairs with 4 or more risers and landings over 30 inches; graspable handrail on one side
Steps, porches, sidewalks, curbs and aprons in safe condition; yard free of overgrowth
Interior clean (kitchen, cabinets, refrigerator, bath fixtures); stove anti-tip device; kitchen exhaust fan working
No plumbing leaks; sump pumps must not discharge into the sanitary sewer; water heater in good repair
Windows clean, uncracked, glazed, locking and operable with one hand, with screens; storm and screen doors with closers
Thumb-latch door locks only (no double-keyed deadbolts or hasps); privacy locks on bedrooms and bathrooms
No electrical hazards or extension cords as permanent wiring; covers on all switches and outlets; globes on light fixtures
Floor coverings secure and not worn; heating outlets and baseboard covers secured
Heating system safe and able to heat October 1 to May 1
Pools and pool barriers code compliant
Open Building/Construction permits inspected and closed; any work done without permits must be permitted and finaled before scheduling

Fees

Resale inspection, first inspection, per unit	$100.00
Resale inspection, second inspection, per unit	$100.00
Resale inspection, third inspection, per unit	$125.00

Timing

Close out open permits and get the County smoke/CO certificate first; the smoke certificate must be provided before or by the inspection date

Valid for

60 days

Phone

732-257-1999 ext. 503

Required

Requirements

Smoke alarms on every level (basement, first floor, second floor; not crawl spaces or unfinished attics) and outside sleeping areas within 10 feet; basement alarm near the bottom of the stairs
Smoke alarms no older than 10 years (or the maker's expiration date); wall-mounted alarms 6 to 12 inches below the ceiling
CO alarm outside each separate sleeping area; the County sheet says CO alarms must not be older than 5 years or the maker's expiration date
Detector type by year built (County criteria sheet): before 1977 battery; 1977-1983 electric; 1984-1989 electric interconnected; 1990 and later electric with battery backup, all interconnected, including one in each bedroom
House numbers at least 4 inches high and visible from the street (2 inches on both sides of a curbside mailbox)
The County application and guideline sheet still list a fire extinguisher (2A:10B:C, 10 lb. or less, within 10 feet of the kitchen, top no more than 5 feet above the floor, tagged within 12 months or with a purchase receipt); P.L.2025, c.19 removed the state requirement, so confirm with the Fire Marshal
Certificate is issued right after the inspection and is valid for 6 months

Fees

Smoke/CO inspection, 10 or more business days before closing	$50.00
Smoke/CO inspection, less than 10 business days before closing	$75.00
Smoke/CO inspection, less than 4 business days before closing	$125.00
Reinspection after a failed inspection	$20.00
Not present for a scheduled inspection without notice	$75.00

Timing

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

Phone

732-316-7171

Last checked September 30, 2026

Sources