South Toms River Borough

Ocean County

Certificate of Occupancy

Required

Certificate

Certificate of Continued Occupancy (Resale/Rental Certificate)

Issued by

Borough Zoning & Code Enforcement office

Requirements

Since March 26, 2026, a smoke detector / carbon monoxide certificate from the Ocean County Fire Marshal must be obtained first and a copy sent to the Borough

Timing

Get the Ocean County Fire Marshal smoke/CO certificate first; the Borough schedules its own inspection only after it receives a copy

Phone

(732) 349-0403

Required

Requirements

Smoke alarms on every level including the basement; on bedroom levels within 10 feet of the bedrooms
Ceiling mounting preferred; wall alarms 4 to 12 inches below the ceiling, 4 inches from corners and at least 3 feet from air registers
All smoke alarms, including hardwired ones, must be under 10 years old
By year built: before 1978 at least one 10-year sealed battery alarm per level; 1978 to 1983 hardwired alarms on each level; 1984 to 1990 interconnected hardwired alarms with battery backup on each level; 1991 and later interconnected hardwired alarms with battery backup in bedrooms and on each level
Hardwired alarms that must be replaced for age must be replaced with hardwired alarms, not battery alarms
CO alarms in the immediate vicinity of sleeping areas when the home has a fuel-burning device or attached garage; battery-only and plug-in CO alarms under 5 years old; combination smoke/CO alarms under 10 years old
Homes with a generator, solar panels, battery storage or other secondary power source need a printed ANSI Z535.4 label (wording like 'CAUTION: MULTIPLE SOURCES OF POWER') within 18 inches of the main electrical panel and the electric meter
A primary low-voltage monitored fire alarm system needs a current NFPA 72 test report sent to the office before closing
Fire extinguisher no longer required (Ocean County Fire Marshal requirements sheet, updated February 2025)

Fees

Application received more than 10 business days before the change of occupancy	$45.00
Application received 4 to 10 business days before the change of occupancy	$90.00
Application received 3 business days or less before the change of occupancy	$161.00
Missed appointment or no entry to the structure	$30.00
Re-inspection after a failed inspection (first re-inspection may be free; each additional one $30)	$30
Credit card processing fee	$6.95
E-check processing fee	$1.99
Returned check processing fee	$15.00

Timing

Apply more than 10 business days before closing for the lowest fee; the office calls to schedule after the online application is received

Phone

(732) 929-2088