Morris Township

Morris County

Certificate of Occupancy

Required

Certificate

Certificate of Habitability (CH)

Issued by

Township of Morris Building Department (Uniform Construction Code Enforcing Agency)

Requirements

No open permits; a CH will not be issued if permitted work has not been inspected and closed (condo association permits need a buyer's attorney letter)
Smoke and carbon monoxide alarm compliance under N.J.A.C. 5:70-2.3 and 5:70-4.19 is checked as part of the CH inspection
Battery smoke alarms must be 10-year sealed; AC-powered alarms must work and be no more than 10 years old; required low-voltage alarm systems need technician certification and monitoring account details
Water heaters, heating and AC equipment must have been permitted and inspected
GFCI outlets working, handrails in place, no extension cords as permanent wiring, stairs in good shape, panel covers secure, no exposed wiring, no broken glass
Holes in attached-garage sheetrock sealed or repaired
No garbage disposal in the kitchen (Township ordinance 37-3)
Pool and fence must meet code with a latching gate
House must match tax records; house numbers visible from the street
Homes with a well or septic system need a report for each at the CH inspection

Fees

Certificate of Habitability (CH) inspection, 1 family or 2+ family	$130
Certificate of continued occupancy, municipal ordinance fee (Township code 216-3A(7))	$130

Timing

Payment must be made at the office before the CH inspection is done.

Valid for

90 days from issuance; may be extended 30 days by the construction code official for good cause.

Phone

973-326-7445

Required

Requirements

Smoke alarms on each level and outside each separate sleeping area (2 alarms if sleeping areas are on opposite sides of the same level)
Battery smoke alarms must be 10-year sealed (UL 217); AC-powered alarms from construction cannot be replaced with battery units and must be replaced if over 10 years old
Required low-voltage alarm systems: technician certification plus monitoring company contact, account number and password for the inspector
Carbon monoxide alarm in the immediate vicinity of the sleeping areas in homes with a fuel-burning device or attached garage (battery, hardwired or plug-in, UL 2034)

Fees

Certificate of Habitability (CH) inspection, 1 family or 2+ family

$130

Timing

Done with the CH inspection; pay before the inspection.

Phone

973-326-7445

Last checked October 4, 2026

Sources