Bay Head Borough

Ocean County

TextClient checklist

Certificate of Occupancy

Required
Certificate
Real Estate Transfer Certificate (transfer certificate of occupancy; Application for Realty Transfer Permit)
Issued by
Bay Head Code Enforcement Officer (Code Enforcement / Construction Office)
Requirements
  • Current smoke alarm and carbon monoxide alarm requirements (the fire inspection certificate must be provided with the application)
  • Applicable zoning and property maintenance rules and the property's development approvals
  • A current survey must be provided with the application
Fees
Realty transfer inspection, per unit (2022 Borough form)$100.00
Re-inspection, per unit, if required (2022 Borough form)$15.00
Phone
732-892-0638
Official page

Smoke and CO alarm certificate

Required
Requirements
  • Smoke alarms on every living level including the basement, and within 10 feet of bedrooms on levels with bedrooms
  • All smoke alarms, including hardwired, must be under 10 years old
  • Battery-only smoke alarms must be 10-year sealed battery units (since January 1, 2019); homes built before 1978 need at least one on each level
  • Homes built 1978 to 1983 need hardwired alarms on each level; 1984 to 1990 interconnected hardwired alarms with battery backup on each level; 1991 and later also in every bedroom
  • Hardwired alarms that need replacing must be replaced with hardwired alarms, not battery alarms
  • Carbon monoxide alarm near the sleeping areas if the home has a fuel-burning appliance or an attached garage; battery and plug-in CO alarms should be under 5 years old
  • Homes with a generator, solar panels or battery storage need a printed caution label (for example CAUTION: MULTIPLE SOURCES OF POWER) within 18 inches of the main electrical panel and the electric meter
  • A monitored low-voltage fire alarm system needs an NFPA 72 test report sent to the Fire Marshal before closing
  • Portable fire extinguishers are no longer required (as of February 3, 2025)
  • Do not mount alarms in unfinished attics, garages, stairwells, the top of basement stairs or kitchens

Ocean County Fire Marshal's Office (county fire code enforcing agency), Residential Resale and Rental Home Inspections

Fees
Smoke alarm, carbon monoxide alarm and secondary power source label certificate, application received more than 10 business days before the change of occupancy$45.00
Certificate, application received 4 to 10 business days before the change of occupancy$90.00
Certificate, application received 3 business days or less before the change of occupancy$161.00
Missed appointment or no entry to the home$30.00
Reinspection (the first reinspection after a failed inspection may be free)$30
Returned check processing fee$15.00
Credit card convenience fee$6.95
E-check convenience fee$1.99
Timing
Apply more than 10 business days before closing for the lowest fee; the office calls to schedule the inspection after the application is submitted. The certificate is valid 12 months from the inspection.
Phone
(732) 929-2088
ApplicationOfficial page
Last checked September 30, 2026
Sources
  1. https://www.ecode360.com/35236631
  2. https://web.archive.org/web/20240517233737/https://www.bayheadnj.org/code-enforcement
  3. https://web.archive.org/web/20240518000009/https://www.bayheadnj.org/construction-and-building
  4. https://web.archive.org/web/20220525201637/https://www.bayheadnj.org/bhnj/Departments/Municipal%20Clerk/Forms%20%26%20Documents/Real%20Estate%20Transfer%20Application.pdf

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